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British Columbia

Looking for the best backpacking in British Columbia? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around British Columbia. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near British Columbia

  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Camp Out at Elfin Lakes Hut

    15 mi / 1900 ft gain
    The cabin at Elfin Lakes is a beautiful well maintained shelter in the heart of the Garibaldi Provincial Park. It is nuzzled between two lakes (one for drinking water, and the other a swimming hole), and the Gargoyle Peaks.  The cabin itself is fully stocked with 8 gas burners, tables, a fireplac...
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  • Manning Park, British Columbia

    Backpack the Heather Trail, BC

    24.9 mi / 1138.5 ft gain
    This hike begins in the middle of Manning Park, with a drive up to the trail-head. This means you get all the benefits of alpine views and fields of wildflowers in the summer months, without hiking the elevation gain.  Manning Park is on the Crowsnest Highway (BC-3). Across the highway from the ...
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  • Powell River, British Columbia

    Snowshoe to Walt Hill Hut

    9.9 mi / 3280 ft gain
    The Sunshine Coast Trail is a 180-kilometre back country experience that encompasses 12 free cabins, 3 of which are winterized. The cabins are run by volunteers from the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society (PRPAWS).Drive south on Highway 101 to Duck Lake Forest Service Road 3477 Br.1 and he...
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  • Fernie, British Columbia

    Hike the Mountain Lakes Trail (Heiko's Trail)

    5.0
    14.9 mi / 6889.8 ft gain
    Finished in 2003 by Fernie legend Heiko Socher, Mountain Lakes Trail (aka Heiko’s Trail) is about as good as it gets. This hike is not for the inexperienced hiker. You are way out in the backcountry with little to no other human contact. This is grizzly bear and cougar country so make sure to bri...
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  • Arrow Creek, British Columbia

    Hike or Bike to Fish Lake

    3.7 mi / 500 ft gain
    Top of the World Park is located 48 kilometres northeast of the village of Kimberley, access is via White Swan and Lussier Forest Service Roads, and extreme caution must be exercised at all times while travelling these roads. The access route is normally passable from late May until late October....
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  • Comox-Strathcona C, British Columbia

    Backpack to Circlet Lake Campground

    13.9 mi / 2664 ft gain
    If you are looking for a beautiful, stress-free campground nestled in the mountains far from the city but within a morning's drive and a day's walking distance, suitable for the whole family and offers tons of activities, Circlet Lake is the right choice for you. It features an alpine lake that i...
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  • Kitimat, British Columbia

    Backpack to Clague Cabin

    5 mi / 2300 ft gain
    From the Kitimat Service Centre head north along Enterprise Avenue until you reach the Wedeene Mainline Forestry Road. Continue north along the mainline for approximately 1 km. Turn left and follow the rough road for approximately 2 km. to the trailhead. Trail is gated approx 0.5 km from trailhea...
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  • D'Arcy, British Columbia

    Overnight at Keith's Hut

    2.0
    5.6 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
    Starting from the side of the highway outside of Pemberton, continue towards Duffy Lake past Joffre Lake trail head. Cross the Cayoosh Creek bridge and pass the work sheds on your right with a green roof, 3.3km from this is a shoulder and between no-stopping avalanches areas, you will see a pull ...
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  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Climb Mt. Septimus via the X-Gully

    16.8 mi / 5905.5 ft gain
    Mt Septimus lies deep within the beautiful and untouched Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island. The route takes you high into the alpine where you will cross glacial fed lakes amongst large peaks and thick forest. To climb Mt Septimus the route you will be taking is the X-Gully route, a steep snow ...
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  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Backpack Helm Creek

    11.2 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Start your drive by driving up the Cheakamus Lake forestry road to the parking lot (approximately 7km up the road). From the parking lot, start walking down the trail towards Cheakamus lake.  About 2km down the trail, you will see a sign post indicating that you can continue straight to Cheakamus...
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  • Smithers, British Columbia

    Hudson Bay Mountain Winter Creek Hike

    After a 6.7 km drive west from the corner of Toronto St and Hwy 16 in Smithers, BC, you'll come to a clearing where you can either park your vehicle and walk, or continue driving 2 km up the road to a provincial recreation site.From there (starting at 757m, lat/long: 54.82574647 / -127.27593041),...
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  • Youbou, British Columbia

    Hike Heather Mountain

    20.5 mi / 3822.2 ft gain
    Heather Mountain is a moderate well marked out and back hike through managed forest land. The hike brings a wonderful feeling of solitude as there are no towns or buildings visible even with distant views in all directions.  It is also quite lightly tracked: we saw no other hikers on the entire r...
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  • Rogers Pass, British Columbia

    Camp at Hermit Meadows

    4 mi / 2559.1 ft gain
    The trail head is located between the Rogers Pass Discovery Center and the Tupper. It's a good idea to head into the Discovery Center first and book the campsites as they do require pre-booking to use, and the fines can be steep. Campfires are banned at this campsite as it is a fragile alpine eco...
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