9 Hikes in Whistler, BC That Will Take Your Breath Away

Whistler, BC is one of the most picturesque places you can imagine. It’s known for its skiing, but one of the best ways to experience Whistler’s natural beauty is on foot. Thankfully, there are many amazing hikes in the area that’ll leave you amazed.

The best hikes in Whistler, BC that’ll take your breath away include Brandywine Falls if you’re a beginner, Garibaldi Lake if you want a moderately difficult trail, and Panorama Ridge if you’re up for a challenging hike. To safely enjoy the sites, choose hikes based on your ability level.

If you want a scenic view for your next hike in Whistler, BC, continue reading to learn more about some of the best hikes you can choose from. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, check out our vacation rental guide for Whistler, BC!

Brandywine Falls

One of the absolute must-do hikes of Whistler is the Brandywine Falls hike. It’s only a short one (less than a mile or 1.60 km in total), but don’t think that just because it’s a short hike, it would be less spectacular.

Accessed from the Sea to Sky Highway in the Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, this trail will take you along easy-to-traverse, flat terrain until you reach the titular waterfall. It’s a perfect hike to stretch your legs and to take your family on. The Brandywine Falls are a popular tourist location, so do be prepared for a lot of other hikers on this route with you.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Lucille Lake Loop

The Lucille Lake Loop is another really great option for a short, beautiful trail that’s perfect for hikers of all abilities. The trail can be accessed from Cheakamus 11 and is well-maintained.

Lucille Lake is absolutely stunning in all seasons, but particularly fall, when the leaves turn a brilliant orange.

You’ll need to bring bear spray with you, though.

Although there are many beautiful animals you’ll want to see, like the many birds that live in the trees, this area can have bears and cougars. Don’t let that put you off, though – as long as you take the right precautions, you should be alright.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Cheakamus Lake Trail

If you want to experience one of Whistler’s amazing turquoise lakes but want a more leisurely hike than Garibaldi Lake, the Cheakamus Lake Trail is a great alternative. Located in the Garibaldi Provincial Park, the trail is flat pretty much all of the way there and is well-maintained.

Because it’s just under 10 miles (16.09 km), the Cheakamus Lake trail is good for beginners who’ve graduated beyond the shorter trails and are keen to start pushing themselves a bit further.

It’s a great idea to bring some lunch with you and make it a real family day out, as you’ll certainly want to spend as much time by the lake as you can. There are also camping opportunities along the way at the Singing Creek Campground if you want to make it into a full weekend trip.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Ancient Cedars Trail

The Ancient Cedars Trail is a little over 3 miles (4.83 km) as a roundtrip. It’s the perfect trail to follow to get up close to the towering trees of this amazing old forest. The trees really are the standout feature of this trail – your journey uphill takes you through the shaded pines and ends in a grove full of centuries-old cedars.

This trail is accessed by the Cougar Mountain forest service road and is a well-maintained path. Along the trail, there’s also a highly recommended detour to Cougar Lake.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Parkhurst Ghost Town Loop Trail

On the edge of Green Lake sits a little abandoned logging town known as Parkhurst. When the sawmill shut down in the 1950s, the people left the town. All that’s left is crumbling houses being sucked up by the snow and whatever items and vehicles were left behind.

The Parkhurst Ghost Town Loop Trail itself can be confusing purely because there aren’t always enough signs, but it’s still a hike worth doing. Not only is exploring the town interesting, but the hike also offers you spectacular views of the emerald jewel that’s Green Lake. The trail is best accessed from the Wedgemount Lake turnoff and is around 4.8 miles (7.72 km) in total.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Garibaldi Lake Trail

Garibaldi Lake Trail is one of the most well-known spots in Whistler, and this hike is one the most beautiful. If you’re looking for a trek that’ll totally take your breath away, this is the one.

This 11-mile (17.7-km) round trip hike, easily accessed from the Rubble Creek parking lot, will take you through beautiful meadows and end in views of one of the most impressive sights in all of British Columbia: the turquoise waters of Garibaldi Lake.

There’s also an option to go through Taylor Meadows if you’re interested in seeing more of the sights in the area. If you want to extend your stay in this picturesque area, there are camping opportunities available.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Panorama Ridge

Is Panorama Ridge a difficult hike? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. At 18 miles (29.97 km) roundtrip, this hike is certainly not for the faint-hearted and those without hiking experience. However, if you’re a seasoned trekker, then this hike isn’t to be missed. Additionally, it offers spectacular lake views and is one of the best hikes in Whistler by far.

It’s possible to complete this hike in one day, but if you’d prefer to make it a weekend thing, there’s great camping at Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows.

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Black Tusk Trail

Black Tusk Trail is a challenging hike at just over 18 miles (28.97 km) roundtrip, but it’s worth the effort. The hike takes you up the Black Tusk mountain, and it’ll really test your skills as a hiker, so make sure you’re well-prepared. Many also often choose to camp at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows and break up the journey.

You can access the hike from the Rubble Creek parking lot. It’s a steep climb through beautiful meadows and rocky terrain. The trail isn’t maintained, and it’s impossible to access the peak without extensive rock-climbing experience (and people are discouraged from doing so).

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skywalk North Trail Loop

There are actually two parts to the Skywalk Trail Loop, a North and a South section. They can’t be done all in one day, though, as they’re simply too long.

The Skywalk North Trail Loop is just over twelve miles (19.31 km) and covers steep terrain. The trail isn’t recommended for anyone without extensive hiking experience. Also, keep in mind there are no camping opportunities along this trail, so you’ll have to be ready to do the whole roundtrip in one day.

Along this hike, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Rainbow Glacier, Screaming Cat Lake, and Iceberg Lake. You’ll also travel through beautiful meadows, past mountain ranges, and giant boulders. There are also opportunities for detours along the way to see other stunning sights such as Green Lake and Showh Lakes.

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Final Thoughts

There are many fantastic hiking trails in Whistler, including Brandywine Falls, Parkhurst Ghost Town Loop Trail, and Panorama Ridge. The area is filled with breathtaking sights with stunning scenery such as shimmering lakes, evergreen forests, and towering mountain peaks capped with snow, and the trails on this list will let you experience all of that.

Remember to always pick a trail that matches your experience and fitness level, so you’ll be able to fully enjoy the best hikes that Whistler, BC has to offer. Moreover, stay safe and take precautions.

If this will be your first time hiking, check out our guide on essential hiking gear.