5 Different Hikes For Exploring British Columbia

The naturalist John Muir once said, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt”. Hiking is one of the most effective ways to experience a new place. For one, it’s cheap. All you need is a pair of shoes and a sack to carry things. The speed and route is up to you. Yes, it can be painful and yes at times darn-right-unpleasant, but it can be argued that anything worth experiencing in life doesn’t come easily. In retrospect, blisters can be a small price to pay for spectacular sights, new friends, and unforgettable memories. For those of you wanting to see more of British Columbia than road-side ditches and cafes, here’s five hikes for doing so:

1) Berg Lake

Berg Lake is the most popular back country trail in the Rockies. And for good reason. The 42 kilometer long trail is in Mount Robson Provincial Park and circles around Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies (3954 meters). It travels through the valley of a thousand falls, past emerald lakes and ice bergs. People come from across the globe to hike it, camping at many of its’ campgrounds situated along the trail. Some spots have shelters and even firewood. It’s the perfect trail for beginner backpackers, or even hikers who think they’ve “seen it all”.

2) Akamina Ridge

Akamina-Kichinena Provincial Park is located at the bottom of the province, nestled into the eastern corner. This park protects the “Crown of the Continent” , the narrowest point of the Rockies. It was established in 1995 and provides excellent habitat for grizzly bears passing between Canada and Montana. Akamina Ridge is 20 kilometers and the perfect trip to experience a small taste of the park with a long ridge walk in the alpine and views of glaciers and meadows. It’s a plant lovers paradise, with patches of hanging gardens and plenty of greenery. Bring a camera.

3) Cape Scott Trail

Cape Scott Provincial Park is located on the Northeastern tip of Vancouver Island. Established in 1973 and named after a lighthouse that has guided ships since the 1960’s, the park is characterized by remote beaches, sea stacks, salt marshes, and old growth forests. The trail is 46 kilometers and passes through everything within the park, allowing you to see it all, with ample of opportunities for camping. Since it’s on the ocean, it’s open much earlier, while the others on this list would still be snowbound. Don’t forget your hiking boots and your rain gear, it can get wet.

4) Abbott Ridge in Glacier National Park

Although Glacier is more known as a ski destination, it’s also a spectacular place for hiking in the summer. With exceptional scenery and valleys filled with ancient forests, the park is a year-round paradise. This trail is the shortest on the list, being just over 10 km and 1000 meters elevation change. The views are tremendous and the path is easy to follow. With relatively little effort and determination, you can see what Glacier has to offer. Don’t forget your picnic basket.

5) The Transcanada Trail

The Trans Canada Trail is one of the world’s longest networks of trails. Although not quite finished, the trail will stretch over 24,000 kilometers from the Pacific to the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, linking nearly 1,000 communities. Not only can the trail be used for hiking, but for biking, horseback riding, and canoeing. Bringing all sorts of back country enthusiasts together. The section of the trail that goes through BC provides ample opportunities for exploring the province’s diverse landscape and rich history. Whether you hike a portion, or the whole darn thing, you’ll find it a worthwhile experience.

Although at times it may not seem it, hiking is one of the easiest things to do. Just put one foot in front of the other. And repeat. Over and over until you get there. Don’t forget your camera or the buffet afterwards. You’ve earned it.