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
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.
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.
Every autumn, E.C. Manning Provincial Park plays host to a little colour changing magic. This is all thanks to the Frosty Mountain larches, which turn a gorgeous golden yellow before the needles drop. Read on to discover everything you need to know about visiting the Frosty Mountain larches in Manning Park including when to go, how to hike there and what to bring.
Pinnacle Lake is a beautiful alpine destination in the Monashee Mountains of BC. This glacier-fed lake sits within a protective amphitheater of steep rock walls and talus slope. The 9km return hike to reach it is almost as exciting as the destination.
Sitting on the slopes of a mountain in Yoho National Park, I found myself picking up and holding a slab of shale containing a half a billion year old fossil from an ancient seafloor. With a guided hike to Walcott Quarry, you too can discover this unique link to the past.
Situated near the top of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Vernon is best known for its three spectacular lakes, dry, rugged landscape and consistently warm summer weather. Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best ways to take in the true beauty of this region. If you’re looking for some of the best short Vernon hiking trails, this is the list for you!
If you want to truly experience the raw beauty of British Columbia, multi-day hiking is one of the best ways to do it. This post features 20+ short BC backpacking trips of 15km or less, perfect for an overnight adventure!
Valhalla Provincial Park, British Columbia – majestic, mysterious and magical all at once, the name of this park alone inspires wonder. The Norse equivalent of Heaven, Valhalla is exactly that if you like wild, beautiful natural areas with an absence of people. Here’s a complete guide to Valhalla Provincial Park including hiking trails, marine campgrounds and more
