Squamish wants you to TAKE A HIKE! Squamish is known as Canada’s outdoor capital… CANADA’S outdoor capital. Canada is already the outdoor icon of the world…, so to get travel insights into its outdoor capital, SCORE one for you! When you picture Canada, you might find that you instantly conjure up images of the Great White North and Polar Bears in the streets… I suppose that could be true. Depends on how much you’ve been drinking. Reality is, Canada (especially the West coast) is so temperate, outdoor spring activities start around March and last until late Fall. At the end of this article, I have listed our favorite accommodations and watering holes in Squamish!
LET’S PACK FOR THIS!
Below you will find a few different hikes in around Squamish.
To determine what you need to take a hike, think about how far you plan to hike, how remote the location is and what the weather forecast has in store. In general, the longer and/or more remote the hike is and the more inclement the weather, the more clothing, gear, food and water you’re going to want.
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
- Hiking backpack or camel pack with extra storage
- Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes…essential! You will need the grip.
- Plenty of food… energy-rich snacks (protein bars, jerky, nuts)
- Plenty of water (for a day hike you could simply use a camel pack)
- Navigation tools such as a map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool… we love our Leatherman!
Spring is in the air and you’re ready to … TAKE A HIKE! No… no in an insulting way… that would be “Take a Hike HOSER” Let’s go on a walkabout in the mountains on the edge of the west coast… up the Sea to Sky Highway… on the way to Whistler you will come across Squamish, a small town with a BIG outdoor addiction.
From Vancouver, Squamish is not only an easy drive (less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver) but perhaps one of Canada’s most scenic. As you wind your way up the mountain, you will see the waters of Howe Sound on your left. Take advantage of the pullouts to snap some photos of the aqua blue waters dotted with islands and busy with ferries coming and going. Turning in any direction you see snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, and canyons as you feel your anticipation of what is to come is build. Squamish is your destination. but you realize you are living a cliche in that it is not only the destination…but this picture book journey which will be imprinted in your mind!
There are a multitude of hikes you can do in Squamish… the most popular one by far is Stawamus Chief ... Take a Hike Intermediate style! Often referred to as simply “The Chief”. The Chief is the mammoth rock face that towers over Squamish and has been iconic in this area for many centuries. This is perhaps the most popular of day hikes in all of British Columbia. Towering some 3,000 ft above the waters below, take a hike up Stawamus Chief and you will be rewarded with stunning views of Squamish, Howe Sound, and surrounding coastal mountains.
There are 3 PEAKS to this hike and people will refer to them simply as First Peak, Second Peak, and (you guessed it)… Third Peak. A lot of people just take a hike to First Peak which incorporates a mile of” straight up” stair climbing and some up-and-over rock climbing on steps made out of boulders. The Chief doesn’t pull any punches… it is straight up right out of the gates and your heart and lungs will feel it. I muttered “Shut up legs!” about 5 minutes in!
Just before the last climb, there is a perfect spot for a break and a snack. Make your way past a large boulder to the right into a clearing, giving you views of the Sea to Summit gondola/trail. Cool down, have a snack, take in the view, and of course some photos. When we got to this point, it was so beautiful we thought THIS was First Peak! Have a rest… the hardest part is yet to come.
Expect to reach the First Peak, the lowest and most popular summit, within about an hour to an hour and a half. The total return distance is 4km (2.5 miles). The trail is well marked.
Continuing along to Second and Third Peak, you will encounter lots of climbing up and over rocks, hoisting yourself up with the help of chains bolted into place, and climbing ladders! This section of the hike is in no way for beginners. Proper footwear is imperative and there were moments I wished I had worn a pair of gloves (although no one else was… so I would have looked pretty funny!).
The largest of the three summits, Second Peak, even on busy days, is worthy of the energy you will exert getting here. Its sprawling summit has all sorts resting spots offering panoramic views of Howe Sound, Squamish and the peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Bring a hammock as there are great spots to fasten one and swing lazily in the sky! Both First Peak and Third Peak are visible from here and even on a busy day, there is plenty of room for everyone. Be careful as, like First Peak, there are ledges and drop-offs that should be given a wide berth and the respect they deserve.
Instead of backtracking and attempting the chains and ladders in reverse, we opted to descend down the backside trail following the yellow diamonds on the trees as guides. It is not much of a manicured hiking trail and as we climbed up and over jagged boulders, we wondered if we had made the right choice. Nonetheless, we completed the roundtrip hike in 4.5 hrs with breaks for lunch and rests along the way.
How to Get There: The nearly impossible-to-miss parking lot and entrance to the Stawamus Chief is located on the east side of the Sea to Sky Highway before you arrive into Squamish. Alternatively, you can park at Shannon Falls about 100m before the Gondola Parking lot (the main parking lot), then follow a well-marked trail through the woods to get to the trailhead.
Insider Tip: Arrive early or plan a weekday trip to avoid the crowd and get the views to yourself. These parking lots will fill up in the summer months. Early spring and Fall are a better bet!
Shannon Falls... Take a Hike Beginner style! You wanna take a hike and not break a sweat? This is not so much a hike as an easy stroll, meandering along a gravel path for about 4 minutes from the parking lot… to the base of Shannon Falls. Shannon Falls is Canada’s 3rd highest waterfall. The view from the platform at the bottom is incredible. This is doable for all ages and abilities (wheelchair accessible too) yet still offers a payout some exert far more energy to earn on bigger hikes.
How to Get There: Head north on Hwy 99 (Sea to Sky) and 1 km before Squamish, watch for the Shannon Falls parking lot on your right. f you see the Gondola Parking lot, you have gone too far but can also park there. If you want to take in the Falls from the base…park at Shannon Falls. This lot fills up fast so Spring and Fall, early morning or weekday is best)
Upper Shannon Falls … Take a Hike Advanced style! This hike takes you 450 meters above the base of Shannon Falls. Getting there is no easy task as you hike up through the trees to view the spectacular upper falls and crystal clear pools of Canada’s third tallest waterfall. Start the hike from either the Stawamus Chief or Shannon Falls parking lot, both are marked and will come together to lead you to the first junction of the Stawamus Chief trail. You will see lots of other folks out to take a hike… fear not, a lot of them will veer off to The Chief.
From this junction take a right. You will begin to see ‘Sea to Summit’ trail markers – large green diamonds. Follow these as the trail flattens out winding through the forest until you pop out underneath the gondola on a large stretch of granite. From here there will be ropes to assist you on the final push to the falls. You will know you have arrived when you hear the booming sound of the water. The summit is 500 meters so not as high as The Chief (700 m), yet the views are outstanding nonetheless!
With the opening of the Sea to Sky Gondola in 2014, the trail beyond Upper Shannon Falls was extended, giving you an opportunity to continue on all the way to the Summit Lodge. The Upper Shannon Falls trail now represents the bottom section of the larger Sea to Summit Trail and is seeing a big jump in popularity in the Squamish area to take a hike. This trail is no longer a little-known gem. Most people now take the trail all the way to the summit
Spring is a great time to do this hike being that Shannon Falls is absolutely THUNDERING with the Spring runoff. The hike takes an average of 4 hrs and is considered intermediate.
How to Get There: Head north on Hwy 99 (Sea to Sky) and 1 km before Squamish, watch for the Shannon Falls parking lot on your right. f you see the Gondola Parking lot, you have gone too far but can also park there. If you want to take in the Falls from the base…park at Shannon Falls. This lot fills up fast so Spring and Fall, early morning or weekday is best)
Four Lakes Trail …Take a Hike Beginner style!
The family-friendly Four Lakes Trail is an easy 6km (3.7
How to Get There: Heading North on Highway 99 through Squamish, take the Alice Lake Provincial Park Exit on the left-hand side of the road. Free parking is located left of the park sign just past the ranger station.
Smoke Bluffs Park... Take a Hike Beginner style!
Located a hop, skip and a jump away from the Squamish Adventure Centre, Smoke Bluffs Park is one of the jewels of Squamish few tourists know about. Climbers love it as it is a haven for rock climbers, with over 400 granite climbing routes on various cliffs and bluffs dotting the park. That being said, the Bluffs are also home to one of the great, short hikes in Squamish. Pop into the Adventure Center (about halfway through town on your right side of Hwy 99) and grab a map or some pointers from the helpful staff. The trail starts just out back of the center and is a 2.3 km (1.4
How to Get There: Turn right at the Adventure center (stop lights at Cleveland Ave) which is opposite downtown Squamish on the east side (right side) of Hwy 99. The Park entrance is located 500m north of the Adventure Centre on Logger’s Lane.
Hotels/Camping and Breweries/Restaurants in Squamish
All of this activity has left you hungry, thristy and needing a good night’s sleep! These are our favorite watering holes and eateries in Squamish:
Howe Sound Brewery. Offering an extensive menu with everything from your Mom’s flaky meat pies to fish and chips and unreal pizzas, your toughest decision will be what to order! Cap that off with a HUGE selection of ice-cold microbrews that are all hits! No misses here folks. Their Nut Brown to their multiple IPA’s, robust Stouts and refreshing Lagers… try a flight to try more than one!
Copper Coil. Looking for an outdoor deck with a view? The Copper Coil has a deck with views looking up at The Chief. Right on the main street downtown, the Copper Coil offers happy hour on beer and wine and their main menu has a great selection of Cajun-inspired foods. They also have burgers, poutine, chicken wings, and other typical pub fares. Opened by two buddies from Eastern Canada who moved West to conquer Whistler, these avid outdoorsmen love to chat with their customers about all things active!
The Knotty Burl. Not a dive bar, but not a classy joint. This bar opens at
As for Hotels and camping, these are tried and true!
Hotel Squamish. Can’t say enough about this little gem. It is right in the center of town, walking distance home from any of the above-mentioned bars. The staff is always extremely friendly and the rooms are always super clean. They have laminate wood floors and nice linens and bathrooms. The price cannot be beaten. Avg cost is $75 Cdn for a weekend night ($55 USD). Up the road 40 minutes away in Whistler… this amount would barely get you a parking spot AT your hotel! There is a liquor store under one half of the Hotel and a higher end restaurant under the other half so noise isn’t an issue. The rooms are small but really adequate for what you pay!
Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company. In the heart of Squamish, this hotel is situated above the brewery (talk about a short commute for food and beer on those tired, sore legs!). It has 20 guestrooms and they are clean, comfortable and reliably a good bet when in Squamish. We’ve had many friends also stay there who have never had a bad experience. A little higher cost (yet the rooms are more spacious and offer free breakfast), a room here will run you about $100 Cdn ($80 USD).
MTN Fun Basecamp, 1796 Depot Rd (Far end of Squamish as you head north out of town on Hwy 99).
Lets Unpack This!
Squamish has a trail system that is envied around the world. The network of trails they’ve painstakingly created is adored by walkers, hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, trials riders, and dirt bikers. If you’re looking to take a hike anywhere around the West Coast of B.C., this ought to be a place to consider. Plan to make a weekend out of it. Squamish has a lot to offer off the trails too. A quaint yet vibrant downtown core offering little boutique shops and diners, a handful of restaurants and bars to satisfy the cravings you conjured up while exerting yourself on the mountain, and views for days! Squamish will leave you breathless… in all the right ways!
