Your Best Guide to 8 Stunning Hikes in Whistler
Piercing alpine lakes, endless mountaintop views, ancient majestic glaciers, lakeside campsites and incredible natural beauty, there are an endless number of hikes in Whistler. Read on to discover our top 8!
Nestled amongst the Coast Mountains in British Columbia lies the gorgeous alpine playground and little town of Whistler.
Whistler will always hold a very special place in our hearts as it’s where we met, fell in love and promised to always live a life of adventure. We got to know each other hiking and camping in the mountains, bringing us closer together as we shared our love and passion for the outdoors.
Situated at the base of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, each boasting superb hiking trails ranging from short strolls to longer, more challenging hikes to glaciers and alpine meadows, Whistler has endless hiking opportunities both right on its doorstep and a short drive away!
Here, are our 8 favourite hikes in Whistler!
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Hikes in Whistler
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Panorama Ridge
We’re going to kick this guide off with one of our favourite hikes in Whistler!
Panorama Ridge is an absolutely breathtaking hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park; an area of incredible natural beauty and boundless hiking opportunities.
From colourful wildflower meadows, alpine lakes and trickling streams to shaded forests and steep rockfall, you’ll be lead through diverse landscapes and terrain.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most striking views in British Columbia!
Below you glistens the astonishingly turquoise Garibaldi Lake with Sphinx Glacier looming above it. Behind you is the prominent Black Tusk towering over Black Tusk and Helm Lakes.
Length: 30 kilometres round trip
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1563 metres
Location: Rubble Creek trailhead located off the Sea to Sky Highway 25-kilometres south of Whistler.
Our Top Tip: for the ultimate experience, combine Panorama Ridge with Black Tusk and camp overnight at Garibaldi Lake.
This hike is an absolute must-do in Whistler! For our full guide, check out the post below.
Garibaldi Lake
Another one of the best hikes in Whistler is Garibaldi Lake. This is the lake you gaze down on from Panorama Ridge and it’s definitely worth a trip to its shores!
The majority of the hike is made up of constant switchbacks through the forest for 6 kilometres. Fairly uneventful but shaded from the sun at least!
In the final 3 kilometres, the hike becomes more rugged and natural. Clambering over trees and branches you’ll pass The Barrier; a lava dam containing the Garibaldi Lake system and Lesser Garibaldi Lake; a little teaser of what’s to come.
After a few more switchbacks and a steep downwards dirt slope, cross a little wooden bridge and Oh My God, what a sight!
Nestled beneath snow-capped mountains with a dramatic backdrop of Sphinx Glacier is Garibaldi Lake.
The lake is glacially fed, but it’s a great place for a dip to cool down if you’re feeling brave.
If you’re camping here, it’s a magical place to watch the sunset. Watching the sun light up Sphinx Glacier to a fiery red glow, you feel a world away from anywhere up here.
Length: 18 kilometres round trip
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 962 metres
Location: Rubble Creek trailhead located off the Sea to Sky Highway 25-kilometres south of Whistler.
Check out our post below on camping at Garibaldi Lake and hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Joffre Lakes
Next on the list of our favourite hikes in Whistler is Joffre Lakes.
Joffre Lakes are a group of 3 striking blue glacial lakes with an imposing backdrop of Matier Glacier.
Although a relatively short hike, it’s pretty steep but there are plenty of places to stop for a break with sweeping views across the valley sneaking peeks at the magnificent blue lakes through the trees.
The first lake is only a 5-minute walk from the car park. Looking up, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Matier Glacier looming up in the mountains.
Middle Joffre Lake is the most popular as it’s where you can capture the iconic log shot with the stunning glacier backdrop. Be prepared to queue for a photo.
Our Top Tip: if you’re camping overnight (see our guide below), don’t bother queuing. Get up early and come down to take your photos in the morning before the hikers arrive.
The third lake is only about 15-minutes further on through the trees and past a waterfall.
The campsite is on the opposite side and even if you’re not camping, we’d recommend heading over that way as it’s very quiet and you’ll easily be able to find a place to relax and take in your surroundings.
For the best views, continue up to Matier Glacier. There’s not an official trail, you’ll have to do a lot of scrambling up rocks but it’s the only place where you can see all 3 lakes lined up.
Length: 10 kilometres round trip
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 370 metres
Location: Take the Sea to Sky Highway north through Pemberton. Continue towards Mt Currie and turn right at the intersection towards Lillooet. After approximately 20 kilometres, you’ll see signs of Joffre Lakes car park.
Our Top Tip: these alpine lakes have relatively easy access compared to other alpine lakes in the area making this one of the most popular hikes in BC. There are two car parks that fill up very quickly in the morning.
If they’re full, do not park on the side of the road, you’ll be towed! There’s a shuttle that runs from the Cayoosh parking lot on select days around 2 kilometres away. There’s limited capacity so arrive early to avoid disappointment or book online at a discounted rate.
Rainbow Lake
Rainbow Lake is one of the most easily accessible hikes in Whistler with the trailhead on the opposite side of Alta Lake to the village.
The trail climbs gradually winding its way through lush forest, trickling streams, past waterfalls and across creek bridges until it opens out to the pristine picture-perfect Rainbow Lake.
Nestled in a beautiful alpine valley, the views at Rainbow Lake are unreal!
For the best views, continue along the path to the other side of the lake. From this direction, you can see Wedgemount, Blackcomb and on a really clear day, Black Tusk!
Length: 15.6 kilometres round trip
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 872 metres
Location: the trailhead is a 15-minute drive from Whistler Village on the opposite side of Alta Lake. On Alta Lake Road, look for the big “Rainbow Trail” sign. There’s parking at the trailhead.
Our Top Tip: as tempting as it looks to swim in Rainbow Lake, especially on a hot day, please don’t! It’s a source of drinking water for Whistler Village and therefore no swimming or camping is allowed.
Black Tusk
Another of our favourite hikes in Whistler is Black Tusk; again in Garibaldi Provincial Park!
This challenging yet rewarding hike will lead you through much of the same route as Panorama Ridge with the colourful wildflowers, open meadows and shaded forests until you reach a junction and veer off left.
The trail until now has been quite flat, this is where the uphill climb begins! This first section continues on through fields and although steep, it’s not too difficult. If you turn around, you’ll catch teasing glimpses of Garibaldi Lake through the trees.
You’ll soon reach a signpost at the Black Tusk Viewpoint stating “end of maintained trail”. This is technically the end of the trail, however, you can continue on to the base which we’d definitely recommend!
Now, the real fun begins! The remainder of the trail is a steep slope of loose and exposed rock. This scree is due to the erosion of the Black Tusk volcano over tens of thousands of years.
When you’re in need of a break, turn around and admire the breathtaking view of Garibaldi Lake far below you!
Once you reach the base, you’ll be so glad you didn’t give up; even if you felt like you were taking three steps forward and two back! The views are incredible. Can you spot Whistler in the distance??
The way down is a lot more fun than the way up that’s for sure!
Length: 25.9 kilometres round trip
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1661 metres
Location: Rubble Creek trailhead located off the Sea to Sky Highway 25-kilometres south of Whistler.
Wedgemount
Up there at one of the most gruelling hikes in Whistler is Wedgemount Lake hike! Gaining over 1100 metres in elevation in just 6 kilometres, be prepared for a challenge!
The views at the lake, however, are definitely worth it!
You’ll meander your way uphill, scrambling over roots and large rocks, with numerous stunning lookout points over the neighbouring mountains when you need a break. The trail is pretty much all under cover of the shaded forest at least!
Once you come out at Wedgemount Lake, you’ll immediately see why you put yourself through that; the lake is absolutely gorgeous!
The piercing turquoise colour of the lake is perfect offset by the surrounding dark, imposing snow-capped granite peaks.
From up here, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the surrounding mountain peaks including Rethel Mountain, Parkhurst Mountain and Mount Cook.
Bring a picnic and sit next to the lake, soaking up the magnificent alpine views and appreciating mother nature in all her beauty!
Our Top Tip: if you’ve got a little energy left, continue to the further side of the lake for a full view of the massive Wedgemount Glacier.
Length: 14 kilometres round trip
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1160 metres
Location: drive north from Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway. Shortly after passing Green Lake, you’ll see signs for Wedgemount Lake. Turn right on to Gravel Pit Road and when you hit a fork in the road, turn left. At the next fork, take the right on to Wedge Creek Forest Service Road. Continue along here until you reach the car park.
The Stawamus Chief
Located in Squamish and a perfect stop on the Sea to Sky Highway between Whistler and Vancouver is the Stawamus Chief.
As you drive approach Squamish, you’ll immediately notice the Chief. It’s one of North America’s largest granite monoliths and towers above the town looking quite intimidating!
There are three distinct peaks all accessible from the main track, so you don’t need to summit all three if you’re short on time.
For the full hike, we’d recommend starting with Third Peak first. This is the highest peak of the three and will be the quietest as most people stop at the first.
The hike isn’t too technical but it is challenging. The trail is steep uphill from the start and doesn’t let up until you reach the top!
Hiking between Third and Second Peak, you’ll pass over the North Gully; an amazing viewpoint over Squamish town below and across to Mount Garibaldi.
The largest of the three peaks is Second Peak and from here you can see both First and Third Peak.
First Peak offers the best views over Howe Sound and as it’s also the closest to the car park (4 kilometres round-trip) it’s also the busiest.
Our Top Tip: all three peaks have numerous ledges and dropoffs so be careful of your footing!
Length: 11 kilometres round trip
Rating: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 600 metres
Location: just south of Squamish off the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s the most popular hike in the area so it’s very well signposted. Turn off the highway at the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
High Note Trail
Another one of the most accessible hikes in Whistler is the High Note Trail as this is actually on Whistler Mountain itself! You’ll need to buy a Summer Sightsee Pass for this hike but you’ll also have access to the Peak 2 Peak and both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
One of the best things about this hike is it starts at the peak of Whistler Mountain so it’s pretty much all downhill!!
Wrapping its way around the backside of the mountain, some of the most incredible views of Garibaldi Provincial Park are from up here so take some time to soak up the views.
You’ll quickly notice the very distinguishable peak of Black Tusk dominating the skyline!
Meandering your way down the mountain, you’ll descend through the alpine area, where, if you’re here in early August, may be in full bloom of colourful wildflowers!
The views surrounding you are breathtaking! Endless mountain peaks towering above the piercing blue Cheakamus Lake are enough to take your breath away!
Most of the trail is quite rocky and uneven and there may be some scrambling over trees and boulders. It makes a nice change from a lot of popular hikes having man-made trails and all adds to the adventure!
As you make your way back towards the gondola, you’ll pass the scenic Symphony and Harmony Lakes. There’ll be a final uphill push just after the lakes, which is quite a struggle after all the downhill!
Length: 9.5 kilometres one-way
Rating: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 300 metres
Location: Whistler Mountain Peak.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the 8 most stunning hikes in Whistler!
As always when you’re hiking in the mountains, make sure you have plenty of layers as the weather can be very unpredictable, sunscreen, food, lots of water, proper hiking shoes and you’ve told someone where you’re going to be.
If you have any questions or want to say hi, feel free to leave a comment or get in contact 🙂