10 Best Hiking And Trekking Spots In Whistler, Canada

1. Panorama Ridge

Panorama Ridge may be rated as a difficult hike, but the views you encounter will be well worth the effort. This round-trip 30 km (18.6 mi) hike highlights some of the best panoramas in the Garibaldi Provincial Park area. These include the jaw-dropping views of Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, and the Helm Lake area, where jewel-bright lakes sparkle beneath snow-capped mountains. The hike takes about 11 hours to complete; so many people choose to camp overnight at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows and finish the hike the next day. Hiking during the late summer or early autumn offers the additional bonus of seeing the vibrant display of wildflower blooms.

Panorama Ridge

Address: Panorama Ridge, Whistler, BC V0N 1B3, Canada

Website: Panorama Ridge

2. Ancient Cedars Trail

Follow this beautiful trail to one of the oldest groves of cedar trees in Whistler. This intermediate-rated hike is surrounded by quiet forests and showcases trees that are hundreds of years old. Located just north of Whistler near Cougar Mountain forest service road, this trail is a 5-km (3 mi) long round-trip and takes about 2 hours to complete. As you hike through the dappled woodland, you will see views of Cougar Lake and clear mountain streams. This trail is dog-friendly.

Ancient Cedars Trail

Address: Cougar Mountain forest service road, Whistler, BC V0N 1B8, Canada

Website: Ancient Cedars Trail

3. Wedgemount Lake

Located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Wedgemount Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake of bright blue-green waters beneath rocky mountain peaks. This trail is rated as difficult for its series of steep switchbacks and elevation gain of 1160 m (38,254 feet). The trail is a 12km (7.5 mi) long round-trip and takes about 7 hours to hike. The hike may be demanding, but the scenery is magnificent with views of Wedgemount Waterfall and Wedge Creek along the way. You will definitely want to bring a camera so you can snap pictures of the scenery, but don’t forget to bring plenty of water and a jacket as well.

Wedgemount Lake

Address: Garibaldi Park, Whistler, British Columbia Canada

Website: Wedgemount Lake

4. Black Tusk

The jagged spire of Black Tusk is an easily recognizable landmark that juts from the mountain tops in Garibaldi Provincial Park. From the summit of this trail, hikers have breathtaking views of Lake Garibaldi. This trek is a 29km (18 mi) round-trip and it is rated as difficult. The duration of this trip is 11 hours, so many hikers choose to camp at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows and continue hiking to Black Tusk the next day. Despite the trail’s challenging, steep incline, and loose, rocky terrain, the views from the top of the trail are unparalleled.

Black Tusk

Website: Black Tusk

5. Garibaldi Lake

Nestled against a backdrop of towering mountains and verdant forest, Garibaldi Lake is a glittering jewel of turquoise-colored water. Hiking to this magnificent alpine lake will take you a five-hour round-trip, but the panoramas are simply stunning. The trail is rated as intermediate, and it is an 18 km (11.2 mi) round-trip. Starting from the Rubble Creek parking lot that is just south of Whistler, this trail climbs through dense forests of Douglas Fir trees and up through the mountains to the shores of the cool mountain lake. If you’re feeling warm after the hike, you can take a dip in the chilly water to cool off. This hike can be combined with others, including Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge, or Taylor Meadows.

Garibaldi Lake

Website: Garibaldi Lake

6. Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes is a series of three alpine lakes with spectacular aquamarine water. These lakes are located in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, and the trail takes about five hours to complete, round-trip. The trail to reach these lakes is slightly easier than some of the other alpine lakes in the area, and it is a 10 km (6.2 mi) round-trip and is rated as intermediate. Each of the lakes has a brilliant turquoise hue and is fed by surrounding glaciers. While the water may be too cold to swim in, fishing is permitted as long as you have the required license. Camping is also allowed in the park.

Joffre Lakes

Address: Duffey Lake Rd, Mount Currie, BC V0N 2K0, Canada

Website: Joffre Lakes

7. Blackcomb Meadows

Blackcomb Meadows is a gorgeous alpine area that features panoramas of Blackcomb Lake, Fitzsimmons Valley, and a viewpoint facing Overlord Glacier. The trailhead starts near Peak-to-Peak Gondola and takes about 3 hours and an 8km (5 mi) round-trip. As you hike, you will be surrounded by views of Spearhead Range, as well as glaciers and panoramas across the valley towards Whistler. This trail meets up with Overlord Trail and is rated intermediate.

Blackcomb Meadows

Address: Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, Canada

Website: Blackcomb Meadows

8. Brandywine Falls

Tucked against a backdrop of lush forest and rocky crags, Brandywine Falls is a glittering attraction along Sea to Sky Highway. These waterfalls cascade over 70 m (230 ft), and are easily accessible for families as the trail is short, well-maintained, and wide. Located 20 minutes south of Whistler in Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, this trail is an easy hike that is only a kilometer (0.62 mi) round-trip. From the viewing platform, visitors can also catch a glimpse of the beautiful Daisy Lake. The trail is open year-round.

Brandywine Falls

Address: Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, Whistler, BC V0N 0A0, Canada

Website: Brandywine Falls

9. High Note Trail

Starting from the top of Whistler Mountain, this four-hour hike showcases the beauty of Garibaldi Provincial Park and features amazing views of Cheakamus Lake. To reach this trail, visitors must take Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift to the peak of Whistler Mountain, where stunning panoramas of the mountaintops surround you. The trail then winds around the mountainside and offers magnificent views of turquoise-blue Cheakamus Lake, the smaller Symphony Lake, and Black Tusk across the valley. The trail is marked as intermediate in difficulty and is 9.5 km (6 mi) one-way.

High Note Trail

Address: Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift, Whistler, BC, Canada

Website: High Note Trail

10. Singing Pass Trail

A beautiful trail located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, the Singing Pass Trail overlooks the Fitzsimmons and Spearhead Mountain ranges, as well as the Cheakamus Glacier. The trailhead starts near the base of the Whistler Gondola, then climbs up through quiet forests and into a beautiful area of an alpine meadow. In the summer months, colorful blooms of wildflowers blanket the ground. The Singing Pass Trail can connect to several other trails, including Russet Lake and the Musical Bumps Trail. The trail is ranked as intermediate, and it is 12 km (7.5 mi) long.

Singing Pass Trail

Address: Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift, Whistler, BC, Canada

The wondrous beauty of Whistler

Gorgeous scenery surrounds you in Whistler, and there are so many ways for you to enjoy this stunning area. These hikes and treks highlight the amazing landscapes of the area, from its wildflower-adorned meadows to crystal-clear alpine lakes. Whether you want an easy, family-friendly hike or a challenging expedition, these trails will take you to some of the most scenic spots in the area. Start planning your trip today, and add these hiking and trekking spots in Whistler, Canada, to your itinerary.