Backpacking

Stretching 1,123km along the formidable Rockies, the Great Divide Trail is Canada’s ultimate long distance hiking adventure. The rugged route crosses the Continental Divide between British Columbia and Alberta no less than 30 times, passing hanging glaciers, vibrant wildflower meadows, snow capped peaks, deep river valleys and more. Discover a brief history of the trail, a route rundown and essentual planning info as well as a summary of our own GDT section hike

Backpacking is all about balance – keeping your pack weight low while still ensuring you have everything you need to be self sufficient and comfortable in the backcountry. This post features a comprehensive multi-day packing guide detailing every single item to bring on a short backpacking trip.

There’s nothing quite like walking through a rainbow coloured field of alpine wildflowers in midsummer. Experience this yourself on the approachable Trophy Meadows Trail in Wells Gray Provincial Park. With the parking lot being situated at 1700m, most of the elevation is gained before even stepping onto the trail.

The 35km long Nootka Trail offers a wild coastal backpacking experience on what feels like the edge of the Earth. Discover more about the Nootka Trail, with our own five day trip report and comprehensive hiking guide.

Hiking the West Coast Trail is a once in a lifetime experience for many. With this in mind as well as the remote location and logistics required to get there, most WCT hikers arrive with a plan. This post features 12+ West Cost Trail itineraries, designed to inspire and inform your own trip planning.

Every year, reservations for the West Coast Trail disappear within minutes. The great news is that there are so many amazing alternative coastal BC backpacking trails to enjoy! Here are eight of the best WCT alternatives.

Famed for rugged, untouched coastal scenery, the West Coast Trail is a legendary 5-8 day backpacking experience. But this wilderness setting does mean that the West Coast Trail (WCT) is somewhat tricky to access. This post will explain everything you need to know about West Coast Trail transportation to plan your ideal hike!

The West Coast Trail is one of Canada’s most iconic hiking trails. The demanding 75km journey along Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline traverses windswept sandy beaches, gnarled old growth forest, slippery boulder fields, surge channels and tidal pools. This comprehensive guide will help you prepare to hike the legendary West Coast Trail.

Crossing the Cascade Mountains by foot has been made possible with the restored 74km Hudson’s Bay Company Heritage Trail (1849) from Hope to Tulameen, British Columbia. The reinstatement of this historical trail enables hikers to step into the footsteps of First Nation and European traders.

The Heather Trail is one of British Columbia’s premier backpacking paths, offering huge rewards for relatively little effort. Featuring sweeping mountain views, vibrant wildflower meadows, great camping facilities and minimal elevation gain, it’s the ideal destination for a first time backpacking trip.

Part of Monashee Provincial Park, Spectrum Lake is an ideal first time or family backpacking destination. The trail is short (just 6km one way), the difficulty low and the reward satisfying. This post shares everything you need to know about hiking to Spectrum Lake, as a day hike or backpacking trip!

Discover everything you need to know about planning for your first backpacking trip, from buying appropriate gear and choosing a destination to outdoor safety, backcountry meals and more!

Magnificently mountainous Okanagan Mountain Park, British Columbia, offers incredible paddling and hiking opportunities – here’s a complete guide, with campground details, trail descriptions, safety tips and more

By the end of winter, I can’t wait to get back onto the hiking trails again. BC’s mountainous terrain, however, means that many popular backpacking routes are under snow until at least June. But not all of them! Here are 13 of the best shoulder season backpacking trips in BC

Backcountry camping is one of the most affordable and satisfying ways to fully experience the raw and rugged beauty of British Columbia. It can, however, be difficult to know where to start, especially if you’re new to BC.

Mount Assiniboine is a jewel in the crown of the Canadian Rockies and a hiker’s dream. This comprehensive hiking guide will explain everything you need to know about planning a backpacking trip to this magnificent provincial park

Lake O’Hara really is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. With pristine turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, soaring mountain peaks, giant glaciers, hanging valleys and more (!), Lake O’Hara has it all. If you only have time to explore just one place in the Canadian Rockies, Lake O’Hara would be an excellent choice.

Have you ever walked all the way around an island? The pyramid shaped Isle of Wight, situated just off the south coast of England, is one place where you can do just that. The 36km wide and 22km tall Isle of Wight is encircled by a long distance walking trail called the Isle of Wight Coastal Path.

Subalpine meadows filled with vibrant wildflowers and backdropped by snow capped mountains. Boulderfields squeaking with impossibly cute marmots and pikas. And finally, a turquoise-coloured lake with mirror-like reflections. The Eva Lake Trail in Mount Revelstoke National Park offers all this and more!

A high alpine wonderland with wildflower filled meadows, delicate larch trees, crystal clear lakes and endless vistas of immense glaciers and jagged peaks, Monica Meadows is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places in British Columbia.