Break In Your Hiking Boots On These Gorgeous BC Trails

British Columbia is world-renowned for its natural beauty. Punctuated by an abundance of national and provincial parks, the spectacular mountain ranges and glacial lakes, it’s not at all surprising that outdoor enthusiasts flock to BC year-round.

One of the province’s biggest draws is the number of amazing accessible hiking trails available to both residents and visitors alike. Best of all, you don’t have to be an expert hiker to enjoy British Columbia hiking trails! There’s a vast variety of trails to choose from, ranging from short and easy to more difficult, all-day treks.

If you love hiking (or you’re looking to try it for the first time!), British Columbia is the perfect destination to break in those boots! Whether you’re looking to fit a short hike into a day trip or you have a long weekend to really explore, here are some of the best hiking trails in BC.

Chadsey Lake Hiking Trails

Located on Sumas Mountain, Chadsey Lake is a popular, easy-to-access destination among Abbotsford hiking trails. Chadsey Lake is also a favourite of trail runners, so be sure to keep your ears open and step to the side to share the trail!

This moderately difficult hiking trail typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and it’s best between April and November when the lake isn’t frozen over. If you have the opportunity to visit in the summer months, take advantage of swimming and fishing at the lake once you’re finished with your hike, and enjoy the views of the lake’s very own island! Leashed dogs are also welcome on the trail.

Note: hikers looking for a longer, more challenging trail can continue 6km past the lake to Sumas Mountain.

• 10.6 kilometers out-and-back
• Moderate difficulty, mostly for steep, muddy terrain
• 40 minutes away from the nearby Coast Abbotsford Hotel & Suites

Cable Bay Hiking Trail Near Nanaimo, BC

If you’re looking for one of the best hiking trails near Nanaimo, BC, you won’t want to miss the Cable Bay Trail. This 6.5-kilometer out-and-back trail meanders through a beautiful forested area to a pristine beach, and is widely considered one of the top 10 forest walks in the entire Vancouver Island region. The best thing about the Cable Bay Trail is that it’s easy and most people can complete it in under two hours — even with no previous hiking experience!

The Cable Bay Trail is best enjoyed June through September. Note that the trail is incredibly popular for hiking, trail running, walking, and birding, so you’re not likely to have it to yourself. However, it’s popular for a good reason, and the reward-to-effort payoff is huge. Dogs are welcome on the Cable Bay Trail and there are even some sections where well-behaved pups can play off-leash.

• 6.5 kilometers out-and-back
• Easy, with a wide path and nominal elevation gain
• Rated as one of the top 10 forest walks in all of Vancouver Island
• 20 minutes away from the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo

St. Marks Summit Hiking Trail at Cypress Provincial Park

Many people are interested in finding the best hiking trails in West Vancouver, and St. Marks Summit at Cypress Provincial Park may very well be the perfect one. It’s an especially great option when you don’t want to travel far outside of the city, but still want to immerse yourself in Mother Nature and enjoy incredible views.

Part of the much larger Howe Sound Crest Trail, St. Marks Summit is an 11-kilometer hike that takes most people somewhere between 4-5 hours to complete. This is one trail you’ll want to take your time and really savour the views on, particularly at the namesake summit. The expansive views across Howe Sound are truly breathtaking and on clear days, you can see the snow-capped Tantalus Range and over to the Gulf Islands! It’s rare to find such an exceptional summit on a hike of this length and moderate difficulty.

The best time to hike St. Marks Summit is from July through November, as inclement winter weather often makes the trail completely inaccessible. You can find seasonal and weather-related road closure info on the Cypress Provincial Park website.

• 11 kilometers out-and-back
• Moderately difficult, for the length and steady elevation gain
• Located 24 minutes from the Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA

Campbell River Canyon View Hiking Trail

When you’re seeking out breathtaking scenery without taking a long, scenic road trip, look no further than the Campbell River Canyon View Trail within Elk Falls Provincial Park. This moderate, 4.8-kilometer “lollipop” trail is family-friendly and comes with a tremendous payoff, running close to the Campbell River and offering impressive views of the rushing water. Plan for this picturesque hike to take around 1.5 hours.

Another benefit of the Campbell River Canyon View Trail is that it’s accessible year-round. If you hike it during the fall, you may be lucky enough to spot bears feasting on salmon along the river bank before they retreat into hibernation. This hiking trail is also very popular for birding and trail running throughout the year.

• 4.8 kilometers out-and-back
• Moderately difficult, primarily because there are a few sections of steep stairs to navigate
• Only a 10-minute drive from the Coast Discovery Inn in downtown Campbell River

Mount Begbie Hiking Trail In Mount Revelstoke National Park

We couldn’t finish our list of the best BC hiking trails without including at least one from Mount Revelstoke! This world-renowned ski destination also offers incredible hiking opportunities, including the popular and challenging Mount Begbie Trail. While it isn’t recommended for hiking novices, it’s a fantastic choice for more experienced hikers.

The 12.3-kilometer trail takes most hikers about half a day, between 5-6 hours. It gains a whopping 2,090-plus metres (4,150-plus feet), so you’ll definitely want to make sure you have plenty of water and snacks before taking on Mount Begbie! Don’t worry, though — once you reach the summit and take in the sweeping mountain and valley views, your legs will forgive you! Because of the high elevation, you’ll want to hike Mount Begbie between April and October. There is often snowpack on the trail through the early summer months.

In addition to being a popular hiking trail, Mount Begbie is a go-to spot for rock climbing, mountain biking, and winter sports such as snowshoeing in the winter.

• 12.3 kilometers out-and-back
• Challenging, with a notable amount of elevation gain
• A short 10-minute drive from the Coast Hillcrest Hotel in Revelstoke