Hike Details
- Difficulty: 3/6 (Moderate)
- Distance: 21km
- Duration: 7hrs
- Elevation: 800m
- Type: Out & Back
- Exposure: None
- Season: Jul - Oct
- Dogs: No
- Camping: Yes
- Wheelchairs: No
- Public Transport: No
- Strollers: No
Description
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The Rainbow Lake trail in Whistler is a scenic path that will take you through a variety of landscapes, from dense forested areas to open meadows with wildflowers and lush greenery. The lake itself is a picture-perfect mountain lake with exceptional views of the surrounding peaks. For those wanting to walk a little further, you can continue up to the rigde behind the lake, or beyond to Hanging Lake on the other side, where you'll find some first come first served camping spots. Note that you cannot swim in Rainbow Lake, but you can swim in Hanging Lake (The former is Whistler's primary water source).
Navigation
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The trail: Some junctions or misleading side-trails. Check your map regularly. Phone signal in BC is not reliable when hiking. Always carry an OFFLINE map. I recommend and use AllTrails+ and Gaia Maps.
Hike Difficulty And Conditions
The hike to Rainbow Lake is about 21km round trip, featuring an elevation gain of roughly 800m. It’s a steady ascent, with well-maintained trails that can be rocky and rooty in places. As the trail approaches the lake, the trail opens up into lakeside alpine meadows. With a couple of different extensions possible, to the ridge, or to Hanging Lake, whichever choice you make, be sure to pack adequate supplies, as the weather can shift quickly, and you’ll need enough energy and hydration for the extra distance.
Camping
- Camping Possible: Yes
- Tent Camping Type: First Come First Served (Free)
Hiking Season
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Jul - Oct is the recommended season for Rainbow Lake. Outside of this period, the trail is: Full Snow Conditions - Avalanche Training Required
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Stroller Accessible: No
- Dog Friendly: No
Location & Access
- Public Transport: No
- From Vancouver: 1.5hr(s)
- Region: Squamish & Whistler
- Fire Region: Coastal Fire Centre Info
- Trailhead: 50.13009, -122.98564
- Vehicle Requirement: Any Vehicle
Getting There
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Rent a car, or better still, reduce the demand for cars with Evo Car Share, Vancouver's car sharing network.
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