Nearly three million people visit Whistler every year for world-class skiing, downhill mountain biking and breathtaking hiking trails. Whistler Village is the perfect starting place for a number of incredible hikes, ranging from multi-day backcountry treks to do-able day hikes.
We've compiled a list of 10 of our favourite trails in the Whistler area you have to see to believe. Trust us—photos barely do Whistler justice.
High Note Trail
Whistler Mountain
Murray Foubister /flickr cc by sa 2.0
Length: 9.4 km one-way
Duration: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation gain: 258 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Glimpse Cheakamus Lake and Black Tusk as you pass over rocky outcrops, babbling brooks and snowy mountain bike trails on this varied, scenic hike. Be prepared for steep and chain-assist sections. Dogs are not allowed.
How do I get to the High Note Trail trailhead? Take the Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift to the top of Whistler Mountain.
Read more: whistler.com
Singing Pass
Whistler Mountain
pirhan / Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Length: 22 km
Duration: 6 - 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Leaving right from Whistler Village, this is an ideal beginner single-track trail for those new to high-alpine hikes. Trek (or run) along a clear path through forest and meadows and take the gondola back down.
How do I get to the Singing Pass trailhead? The trailhead is located at Roundhouse Lodge in Whistler Village.
Read more: Click here
Overlord Trail
Blackcomb Mountain
David Webb
Length: 3.7 km
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
Elevation gain: 62 m
Difficulty: Moderate
A must-do on Blackcomb, this iconic trail yields views of alpine wild flowers and snow-capped mountains. Sun, solitude, wildlife and flora abound in this natural paradise. Continue on to the 1.8 km Decker Loop or venture into the backcountry if you're prepared.
How do I get to the Overlord trailhead? Take the Blackcomb chairlift up to the alpine visit. Chairlift fee applies.
Read more: alltrails.com
Black Tusk
Garibaldi Provincial Park
iwona_kellie / Flickr cc by 2.0
Length: 28 km
Duration: 9 - 11 hours
Elevation gain: 1,740 m
Difficulty: Difficult
Recognizable even from a distance, Black Tusk protrudes off the top of the mountain like an arrowhead. Although this hike is notoriously difficult, the alpine wildflowers, mountaintop vistas and bragging rights alone are worth the trek.
How do I get to the Black Tusk trailhead? Hike the entire trail from the Rubble Creek parking lot, or shave it down to 14 km by leaving from Garibaldi Lake Campground.
Read more: outdoorvancouver.ca
Panorama Ridge
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Harold Cecchetti / Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Length: 30 km round-trip
Duration: 10 - 12 hours or camp overnight
Elevation gain: 1,520 m
Difficulty: Difficult
If you’re anything like me, you hike for the views. Accurately named, Panorama Ridge bursts with scenic sights of Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Mount Price and more. It’s a long, difficult trek, so many hikers opt to spread the distance over two days and camp at Garibaldi Lake Campground or Taylor Meadows.
How do I get to the Panorama Ridge trailhead? The trailhead is located at the top section of the Rubble Creek parking lot, near the wooden steps.
Read more: outdoorvancouver.ca
Garibaldi Lake
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Kyle Pearce / Flicker cc by sa 2.0Length: 18 km round-trip
Duration: 4 - 6 hours
Elevation gain: 900 m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Renowned as one of the most stunning spots in British Columbia, this glacier-fed lake is surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows. If you want to stay a little longer (trust us: you’ll want to), reserve a tent pad in advance.
How do I get to the Garibaldi Lake trailhead? The trailhead is located at the top section of the Rubble Creek parking lot, near the wooden steps.
Read more: vancouvertrails.com
Elfin Lakes
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Renato Lazzarini
Length: 22 km round-trip
Duration: 5 - 6 hours
Elevation gain: 600 m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mountain bikers and hikers use this trail to access two lakes: one is safe for swimming, the other safe to drink from. Both are beautiful. The surrounding area has a well-equipped shelter, which is primarily used in the winter, and a 35-site campground.
How do I get to the Elfin Lakes trailhead? The trailhead is located in the Diamond Head lot, past the yellow gate.
Read more: Click here
Semaphore Lake
Pemberton Valley alpine
Tim Gage Flick cc by sa 2.0
Length: 4 km one-way
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
Elevation gain: 497 m
Difficulty: Easy
This alpine lake is a great destination for hike-in campers that don’t want to carry their gear an absurd distance. Trek around Locomotive and Face Mountain for beautiful views of the lake and valley.
How do I get to the Semaphore Lake trailhead? The trailhead is located at the end of the Lillooet Forest Service Road (FSR) and the Hurley River FSR. A four-wheel-drive is recommended.
Read more: trailpeak.com
Joffre Lakes
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Alison Karlene Hodgins / @alison_abroad
Length: 10 km
Duration: 3 - 5 hours
Elevation gain: 370 m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Not one, not two, but three stunning glacial lakes have given this excellent hike Instagram-fame. Climb onto the log at Middle Joffre Lake for a classic photo-opt or pop up a tent along the rocks at the summit, overlooking Upper Joffre Lake. There is a urine diversion toilet and a bear-proof food storage unit, but carry-in carry-out camping rules apply.
How do I get to the Joffre Lakes trailhead? Drive north of Whistler, past Pemberton, and pull off when you see the sign for Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.
Read more: vancouvertrails.com
Rohr Lake
Duffey Lake
Tim Gage Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Length: 15 km
Duration: 8 hours
Elevation gain: 978 m
Difficulty: Difficult
Hike next to glaciers and trek through forest to Rohr Lake. Then, if desired, continue into the alpine of Rohr Mountain. Be prepared for snowy sections along this very steep incline.
How do I get to the Rohr Lake trailhead? This trail starts from the highest point on Duffy Lake Road.
Read more: Click here
Did we miss your favourite Whistler-area hike?
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