Take a Hike:

 British Columbia Boasts 10 Fabulous Fall Jaunts

by Malcolm Johnson

When composing his essay on walking, Henry David Thoreau had this to say: "Give me the ocean, the desert or the wilderness." Considering those words, it's not hard to think that the famed author would have loved the westernmost of Canada's provinces. He would have found all that he sought, and all of it on a scale that he could never have imagined.

From the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Rocky Mountains in the east, British Columbia is a place of endless diversity: lush rainforests and dry canyons, barren alpines and gentle farmlands, soaring ranges and sea-swept beaches. There's no better way to see it all than by setting out on foot, and experienced hikers know that autumn is the best time for day hikes: crisp and clear, the high country is still free from the deep snows of winter.

So strap on your boots, grab your camera, and get out there - but always remember that it's important to be fully equipped and prepared. Here follows a sampling of fabulous fall hikes in British Columbia, where you'll find plenty of views to inspire the soul.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

The Grouse Grind
Length: 2.9 kilometres
Vertical: 853 metres (2,798 feet)
Estimated time to complete: 1.5 hours

A winding trail that scrambles up Grouse Mountain's southern slope in North Vancouver, the Grind has become British Columbia's best-known hike. It's certainly well named - with an average grade of 30 degrees, it's a steep, thigh-burning trail boasting an elevation gain of 853 metres (2,798 feet) as it climbs through the forest from the Valley Station to the peak plateau. (In all, there are 2,800 steps built into the trail.) The Grind was completed in the early 1980s, and it's a must for locals and travellers alike. And though you probably won't match the trail record of 24 minutes—for the average adult, it's about an hour and a half—a trip up the Grind will give you a first-hand view of Vancouver's unique urban and outdoor cultures. The best way down? Hop aboard the scenic Grouse Mountain Skyride, where a $5 one-way ride offers stunning views of the city. www.grousemountain.com

The Trails of Garibaldi
Length: varies, depending on the trail or trails chosen
Vertical: challenging; between 600 metres (1,968 feet) to over 900 metres (2,952 feet)
Estimated time to complete: depending on trail, can range from two to four hours (one way)

As you drive north from Vancouver, you pass into Sea to Sky country. Just outside the town of Squamish, Garibaldi Provincial Park holds some of the province's most dramatic scenery; there are dozens of great trails in the Garibaldi area, but serious hikers will want to head for the Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lakes campgrounds. Departing from there, you'll be able to access Black Tusk, the jagged remnants of an ancient volcano (note: taking on the Tusk can add, at minimum, four hours to your trek). There are also high trails like Panorama Ridge, where glaciers and striated ranges lead off to the far horizon. Garibaldi may prove a challenging place to hike – but it is one rife with rewards. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi

Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands

Schooner Cove
Length: one kilometre (one way)
Vertical: features long flights of stairs and some hills
Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes (round trip)

An easy boardwalk that winds through thick rainforest to the beaches of the Pacific, the Schooner Cove trail is one of the many treasures of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island's wild west coast. After a one-kilometre walk, the trail emerges to the north of Esowista, one of the traditional homes of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. When the surf's up, you'll see huge waves rolling in from the west, each one trailing a mane of white in the wind. (Access to Schooner Cove may be non-existent during high tides.) There's great tidepool exploring at low tide, and a walk along the beach to the north takes you into a beautifully secluded cove. It's the west coast at its picturesque best. www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/index_E.asp

Carmanah Walbran
Length: 3.9 kilometres (one way)
Vertical: easy to moderate hike
Estimated time to complete: one hour and 15 minutes (one way)

There are certain places where the natural scale of things is beyond compare. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, an area of untouched old growth forest on southwestern Vancouver Island, is one such place. The park's trails lead through lush stands of ancient cedar and Sitka spruce, with huge and magisterial trees reaching hundreds of feet in height. Walking the trails of Carmanah will give you a glimpse of the coast as it once was – a wondrously rich ecosystem that still exists as an intact and living thing. The park can be accessed from Port Alberni, Port Renfrew or Lake Cowichan, and a trip here should include a stroll through the Randy Stoltmann Commemorative Grove, a stand of giant spruces dedicated to an iconic outdoorsman and conservationist. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/carmanah

The Heliwell Bluffs
Length: five kilometres
Vertical: an easy walk
Estimated time to complete: one hour to walk the trail; two to three hours to take in the scenery

The Gulf Islands lie to the west of British Columbia's mainland, and their bohemian cultures are as rich as the waters that surround them. Heliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island is one of the hidden gems of the coast, with a pastoral five-kilometre trail that winds through grassy fields and stands of Douglas-fir and Garry oak. Just to the west is Tribune Bay, which harbours one of the province's best beaches. As an added bonus, a stroll along the high sea bluffs of Heliwell will showcase fabulous views of the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/helliwell

Thompson Okanagan[Back to Press Releases Main]