Three of the Best Hikes in Squamish
It’s official: the secret’s out. As is the case with much of Canada’s wild west coast, Squamish has been discovered by the “outside world”, and people are moving here in their droves.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the locals, who grunt and groan as the masses start to fill up this previously quiet miller’s town. So why is Squamish such a big deal?
According to our WWOOF hosts, Ian and Claudia, people are attracted by the dramatic landscape, the famous Sea to Sky Highway, the vast land up for grabs. Squamish is also positioned nicely between two larger and more well-known tourist hits – ski haven Whistler and hippie-friendly Vancouver - so it delivers a healthy slice of wilderness without taking it to the extremes. Property prices here haven’t yet reached the lofty heights of surrounding areas (but with its sudden surge in popularity, that looks sure to change).
But perhaps the biggest benefit that Squamish offers is its abundance of hiking opportunities. It’s a land riddled with mountains, lakes, rivers and cascading waterfalls, waiting to be discovered just a short hike away.
We’ve been exploring Squamish for a couple of weeks now, so have had the opportunity to try out some of the area’s most celebrated hikes. Here’s three of my favourites.
The Chief
Difficulty Level : 3.5/5
Perhaps Squamish’s most famous characteristic, the Chief is a hulking mountain of rippling grey stone right next to the highway – in fact, it’s one of the largest granite monoliths in the world (dwarfed only by El Capitan in Yosemite, and the Rock in Gibraltar). Its dramatic sheer faces make it a magnet for adrenaline-seeking climbers from all over the world. If you squint, you can make them out as they scale the mighty walls with their ropes and pickaxes.
But never mind about climbing; hiking the Chief is enough of an experience itself. You’ve got three peaks to choose from, so the hike can take you anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours. I won’t lie; it’s a bit of a toughie, and mostly uphill. About ten minutes in to the hike, I did question what the hell I thought I was doing (but trust me, it’s all worth it in the end!) Just make sure you’re wearing proper hiking shoes and leave enough time to climb back down (or catch the gondola) before it gets dark.
You start off in the woods, climbing up and up (and up and up…) wooden steps and scrambling up increasingly steep slopes crumbling with loose rock. You have to just embrace the thigh burn, as it continues like this for most of the hike. At one point, lethargic and red-faced, we paused to take a break and asked the nearest hiker making the descent how much longer we had to go until the top.
“You’re about 90% of the way there”, he told us, and I felt a little bubble of elation form in my stomach. “There’s just a few ladders and chains to go, and then you’re there”.
I genuinely thought he was joking. But sure enough, the next section of the trail took us up precariously balanced steel ladders, and had us hanging from loose bits of chain drilled into the side of the mountain itself.
But then you get to the top. And boy oh boy. It all makes sense. The views out over the highway and Howe Sound are just amazing. It’s the ultimate Squamish must-do, but make sure to go on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowds.
The Sea to Sky Trail
Difficulty Level: 4/5
This tricky 7km uphill stretch takes you up to the top of the Via Ferrata Gondola, which towers even above the Chief. You start the hike on the Chief trail before veering off into the forest and onto a trail which takes in hidden waterfalls, plenty of viewpoints a final climactic view.
Although pretty strenuous – and again with plenty of ladders, ropes and pretty much vertical slopes – this hike is immensely satisfying and well worth the slog. It even managed to
shake me out of a foul PMS mood
when we hiked it.
There's plenty to do at the top of the gondola when you finally get there, too: grab some food, take in the views or even enjoy one of the gentle scenic trails around the top (if your thighs can take it).
The 4 Lakes Trail
Difficulty Level: 2/5
If all this talk of uphill hiking is making you tired just thinking about it, the gentle but scenic 4 Lakes trail is the one for you. A local favourite, this 6.5km loop meanders past four of Squamish’s most picturesque lakes: Alice Lake, Stump Lake, Fawn Lake and Edith Lake. You’ll walk through peaceful second growth forest and also pass trickling creeks as you make your way through the trail which is mostly flat and easy.
If you’re feeling a bit toasty by the time you’re finished, you can even go for a refreshing swim in one of the lakes (just watch out for the marked off areas at Alice Lake).
What are your favourite hikes in Squamish, or British Columbia? Let me know!
