Hikes In and Around Squamish

World Class Hikes for All Abilities

Squamish is a world-class hiking destination. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and ocean Squamish is an outdoor mecca, popular with outdoor enthusiasts. With hiking being a relatively accessible activity, especially in the summer – its no wonder that people come from all over the world to enjoy the challenges, and views of the Squamish hiking trails.

Located on an estuary that joins the Squamish River to the Howe Sound ocean inlet, the town of Squamish is surrounded by adventure filled mountains on all sides. There are countless trails here for all abilities, from the easy but picturesque Squamish Estuary Walk, to more challenging peaks like Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk, Tricouni or Sky Pilot.

Below you’ll find a list of the best hikes near Squamish. I’ve included a selection including easy strolls, hikes with views and nearby mountain peaks. But what they have in common is that they’re all stunning and they’re all within 1 hour’s drive of Squamish.

If you want to simply search all hikes in BC, based on a specific criteria or location, check out the Hike Explorer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Trail Map

Short answer. Yes. If you’re hiking in nature, in and around Squamish, you need a map.

As soon as you get out of urban environments, Google Maps probably isn’t going to cut it. I recommend and use All Trails+ for short and well-traveled hikes. The benefit of All Trails+ is that is allows you to download an offline map, essential in Canada where phone signal is patchy at best outside of towns and cities. All Trails+ offers a free 7-day trial which is especially helpful if you’re just visiting for a week.

One benefit of All Trails is that they show trail maps for hikes and trails all over the world, so even when you get home, you can still use it for inspiration.

If you’re hiking in the city, you can probably get away with google maps. It’s possible to download an offline Google Map if you’re just visiting and don’t have cellular data.

Essential Gear for Hiking in Squamish

Gear for Squamish Urban Trails

If you’re hiking in an urban area around Squamish, then gear requirements are fairly minimal. Wear comfortable shoes – warm and waterproof may be additional requirements depending on the time of year. Take a jacket if there’s any risk of rain or snow. I like to take an extra layer and a bottle of water incase I find myself far from a coffee shop.

Gear for Squamish Hikes in Nature

If you’re hiking in nature around Squamish, you’ll encounter a variety of trail conditions, elevations and therefore weather conditions. You’ll need to be a little more prepared for your hike. Here are the things I most often see people without, that really put them at risk of the changeable Squamish conditions:

Footwear – Squamish trails can be steep or involve walking over uneven terrain or branches. Good footwear (absolute minimum is trainers (sneakers)) will give you support and help avoid injuries. You do not want to be spending an unexpected night out in the wild.
Warm Layer – The weather can change quickly in Squamish. Take a warm layer incase you need to take a break or stop to look after an injured friend for a long period of time.
Rain Jacket – Squamish rain isn’t just wet, it’s cold and wet. Be prepared and take a good rain jacket.
Light Source – Don’t get caught out after dark without a light. Don’t rely on your phone light, since you’ll be using your battery for taking photos and checking your map.

For more details on what to pack for trails in Squamish, including the a full list of essentials, check out this hiking essentials and camping packing list.

Staying Safe on Squamish Hikes

Check the trail map in advance, research recent conditions so that you know what to expect.
Leave a plan with someone. Tell them where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
Be prepared to turn around if conditions change. Don’t put your life at risk.
If you need help and have phone signal, call 911 and they will help deploy Search and Rescue.

Best Time To Hike in Squamish

Summer is my favorite time to hike in Squamish, though there really isn’t a bad time to hike here. With a variety of trails across a range of environments, it’s never hard to find a suitable trail for the time of year, your objective and the conditions. Here are the average weather conditions for Squamish.

Average monthly minimum and maximum temperature in Squamish, Canada

Average monthly rainfall, snow, precipitation in Squamish, Canada

Peak Summer Season: June - September

June through September is considered the peak season for hiking, with July and August being the busiest months in Squamish. Whilst July and August can be a bit hot to tackle the bigger peaks of south western BC, most of the hikes around and near Vancouver are very doable in the summer heat. By September, the snow has cleared off most of the higher peaks, and the temperature is more manageable to tackle the big days out.

Autumn (Fall): October - November

As the fall rains arrive, the weather becomes more changeable and pretty bleak, often for days or weeks on end. Whilst you can still enjoy a good trail, a good waterproof is absolutely essential. Trust me, a cheap waterproof is not going to keep you dry in a Squamish rain-shower.

Winter: December - February

Full winter in Squamish itself is not the deep snowy onslaught you might expect by looking at the rest of Canada. There is snow visible all around town for the winter, but it’s not crazy deep or anything. With good hiking shoes and perhaps shoe spikes, you’ll be good to get around the urban trails. As soon as you venture out into the mountains, however, be prepared for full winter conditions.

Spring: March - May

The spring in Squamish starts to bring warmer temperatures, a welcome break from the cold and damp coastal winter air. With the warmer temperatures comes more rain, so always take a rain jacket. There will likely still be snow on many of the lower mountain trails, and most definitely on the higher altitude trails. Check individual trail descriptions to work out when each trail can be done.

Forecast for Squamish

Useful Links for Hiking in Squamish

Hike Explorer – Search and filter all hikes in Squamish and British Columbia.

Hikes Near Vancouver – Search and filter all hikes near Vancouver.

BC Parks – BC’s official outdoors website.

BC Parks Camping Bookings – Book a campsite at any campground.

Translink – For public transport links around Metro Vancouver.

EVO Car Pooling – A car share network in Vancouver that allows you to pick up and drop off a rental car at the click of a button on your app. A great alternative to last minute car rentals. Sign up before your trip to BC to get your license approved.

Squamish Hikers – Facebook group for hikers in Squamish.

Ladies Hiking Club of Squamish – Facebook group for ladies only hiking in Squamish.

Vancouver Hiking – Facebook group for hiking in Vancouver.

Vancouver Hiking Reddit – Reddit thread for hiking in Vancouver.

Highlights of Hiking in Squamish

The Stawamus Chief

The Stawamus Chief is an iconic granite monolith, claimed to be the second largest in the world. Whilst the peak is a popular climbing objective, it is nonetheless surrounded by world class hikes with epic views.

Whether you are hiking up the chief itself, visiting the nearby gondola, or walking the beautiful Squamish Estuary Loop, the Chief will often be a big part of the views on your hike.

You’ll find the hike description and link to the Stawamus Chief below.

Views of the Howe Sound

With so many hikes in Squamish heading up the surrounding mountains, its easy to get a good vantage point out over the Howe Sound. This body of water, home to an abundance of wildlife, also forms a playground for Squamish residents, from Kite Surfers to kayakers and boaters.

Where ever you are on the trails around Squamish, look out

My two favorite hikes in Squamish that have views over the Howe Sound are:

The Sea to Sky
Murrin Park

Featured Hikes Near Squamish

Rampart Ponds

38.5km
+1850m Elevation
16hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Lake, Meadow, River, Swim Spot, Views

Rampart Ponds

38.5km
+1850m Elevation
16hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

Rampart Ponds Campground is a hidden gem out in the backcountry of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Surrounded by Garibaldi Park’s highest peaks and glaciers, this remote campsite is a significant undertaking compared to much nearer Elfin Lakes, but does make for a great multiday trip. You’ll be rewarded with almost zero crowds, views of lakes and […]

Season:
7
-
9

GPX

Stawamus Chief

5.5km
+720m Elevation
5.5hrs
Loop

1.25hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Mountain Peak, Views

Stawamus Chief

5.5km
+720m Elevation
5.5hrs
Loop

1.25hrs from Vancouver

The Chief is one of the iconic Vancouver hikes. The trail starts with an uncompromising climb up a series of man-made staircases, before splitting at a couple of well marked intersections that take you two one of the three peaks. Peak 1 has the iconic view, though I prefer to walk to third peak first, […]

Season:
4
-
10

GPX

High Falls Creek

8.2km
+600m Elevation
4.5hrs
Loop

1.5hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Forest, Views, Waterfall

High Falls Creek

8.2km
+600m Elevation
4.5hrs
Loop

1.5hrs from Vancouver

The hike involves some light scrambling with moderate exposure. Whilst you can try to stick to the less exposed side, the big drop to the creek below can be intimidating, especially for inexperienced scramblers. As the name suggests you’ll be following a steep creek and eventually reach an impressive waterfall. Beyond that you’ll be walking […]

Season:
5
-
11

GPX

Panorama Ridge

29km
+1500m Elevation
10hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Lake, Meadow, Mountain Peak, Swim Spot, Views

Panorama Ridge

29km
+1500m Elevation
10hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

Panorama Ridge offers one of the most spectacular mountain panoramas you will ever see. On one side, the crystal blue waters of Garibaldi Lake. On the other, the imposing silhouette of Black Tusk. If you have the ability, do not miss this opportunity to see these incredible views. Panorama Ridge is located in the accessible […]

Season:
6
-
10

GPX

Black Tusk

25.5km
+1750m Elevation
10hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Lake, Meadow, Mountain Peak, Swim Spot, Views

Black Tusk

25.5km
+1750m Elevation
10hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

Black Tusk is a spectacular hike whose summit overlooks the Garibaldi Provincial Park. Whilst most will skip the daunting final 100m scramble, the views from here are still very worth it. Whether you choose to combine this hike with a camping trip in the park, or do it as a day hike, both are good […]

Season:
7
-
10

GPX

Watersprite Lake

17km
+700m Elevation
6hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Lake, Swim Spot, Views

Watersprite Lake

17km
+700m Elevation
6hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

Waterspite Lake is an absolute stunner. Sure, it might have gotten a little busy in recent years. But it’s still an absolute gem. The hike is fairly long but not that steep, and is unusual for BC in that you get decent views for a large portion of the hike. You’ll need to scramble across […]

Season:
6
-
9

GPX

Sea to Summit

5.5km
+950m Elevation
3hrs
Point to Point

1hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Mountain Peak, Views

Sea to Summit

5.5km
+950m Elevation
3hrs
Point to Point

1hrs from Vancouver

The Sea to Summit trail in Squamish begins near the shores of Howe Sound and leads up to stunning viewpoints and covers a variety of terrain and views. Generally done as a point to point hike with the return descent via the gondola, you’ll be rewarded with some great views down over the water below. […]

Season:
1
-
12

GPX

Crooked Falls

5.5km
+500m Elevation
2.5hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Forest, River, Views, Waterfall

Crooked Falls

5.5km
+500m Elevation
2.5hrs
Out & Back

1.5hrs from Vancouver

Crooked Falls is a popular hike located on the southern banks of the Squamish Valley. With its shady forested trail, moderate stats and a rewarding cascading waterfall at the end, it’s a great option for a hot summer’s day – particularly if you want to be hit by a refreshing wall of spray. The trail […]

Season:
5
-
11

GPX

Elfin Lakes

21km
+600m Elevation
6hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

GPX

Highlights: Alpine, Forest, Lake, Meadow, Mountain Peak, Swim Spot, Views

Elfin Lakes

21km
+600m Elevation
6hrs
Out & Back

1.75hrs from Vancouver

The trail to Elfin Lakes is located within Garibaldi Provincial Park and is known for its spectacular alpine scenery. It’s a well-loved hike that takes you through varied landscapes, including lush meadows and old-growth forests, before opening up to the subalpine terrain that leads to the lakes. The path is well-maintained, with clear markers guiding […]

Season:
1
-
12

GPX

Hikes In and Around Squamish

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Highlights of Hiking in Squamish

The Stawamus Chief

Views of the Howe Sound

Featured Hikes Near Squamish

Rampart Ponds

Rampart Ponds

Stawamus Chief

Stawamus Chief

High Falls Creek

High Falls Creek

Panorama Ridge

Panorama Ridge

Black Tusk

Black Tusk

Watersprite Lake

Watersprite Lake

Sea to Summit

Sea to Summit

Crooked Falls

Crooked Falls

Elfin Lakes

Elfin Lakes

Planning an adventure?

Hikes In and Around Squamish

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Highlights of Hiking in Squamish

The Stawamus Chief

Views of the Howe Sound

Featured Hikes Near Squamish

Planning an adventure?

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