Hiking Trails of British Columbia
self-drive tour
Explore the best of British Columbia on this self-drive tour. Start your adventure in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver before exploring the most stunning alpine scenery as you take to the trails and explore some of British Columbia’s most scenic hikes including The Kettle Valley Trail and the beautiful alpine resort of Sun Peaks and Whistler.
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7-8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12-13
Day 1 : UK- Vancouver
On arrival in Vancouver make your way to your downtown hotel for; the rest of the day is free. Overnight in Vancouver for two nights.
Day 2 : Vancouver
Simply a city like no other, Vancouver effortlessly combines the excitement and energy of a modern city with the invigorating appeal of the great outdoors. From spring’s abundance of cherry blossoms and summer’s sparkling waterfront days, through to the city’s fall cultural festivals and the snowy winter wonderland on the mountain peaks, Vancouver offers its visitors year-round adventures in this laidback urban metropolis right on the edge of a spectacular natural landscape. Explore diverse neighbourhoods, decadent dining, outdoor pursuits and multicultural attractions - in Vancouver, you won’t have to choose between city and nature. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of the city that starts with an introduction to downtown Vancouver including Canada Place, and Robson street. Wind through historic and modern architectural wonders en route to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre natural oasis, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. View the First Nations Totem Poles and gaze upon rainforest and shoreline scenery. Get the camera ready for a photo stop at Prospect Point, with a great view of Lions Gate Bridge. Continue to the English Bay beach area, followed by the Granville Island Market.
Day 3 : Vancouver to Osoyoos (399km)
Collect your rental car and drive east to the Golden Ears Provincial Park for your first stop. The Lower Falls is a short (2 hr) hike that is excellent to start the trip. The view of the falls is fantastic, particularly in the spring season when the runoff from the surrounding mountains is surging downstream. Continue driving to Osoyoos located in Okanagan Valley. Overnight in Osoyoos.
Day 4 : Osoyoos to Kelowna (233km)
Today, travel into the Thompson Okanagan region; this region is famous for its orchards and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscapes. Overnight for two nights in Kelowna.
Day 5 : Kelowna -Myra Canyon Hike
Varied landscapes, panoramic views, and historic sites make for infinitely interesting hikes around Kelowna. The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) trail, which is part of the Trans-Canada trail, is an easy high-country walk. The 12km section of the trail between the former Ruth Station and Myra Station features reconstructed wood-frame trestles, two steel bridges and two tunnels. Bring a camera to capture the valley views.
Day 6 : Kelowna to Sun Peaks (266km)
Leave the Okanagan Valley and drive to the alpine resort of Sun Peaks. Sun Peak’s hiking trails are designed to accommodate varying levels of fitness and experience so that all visitors can enjoy the unique experience of alpine hiking. Hikers will find an endlessly diverse terrain with flat areas, gradual inclines, and steep climbs, not to mention a vast trail system that is lift accessed for easy alpine access. Overnight in Sun Peaks for three nights.
Day 7-8 : Sun Peaks
Hiking in and around Sun Peaks is a great way to spot bird species including Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, and Hummingbirds. In summer the mountains become a kaleidoscope of colour with wildflowers like with Arctic Lupin, Dwarf Dogwood, Fireweed and Larkspur, blossoming from the village high into the alpine. And there’s always the chance of seeing bears, coyotes, and other wildlife on the trails leading from the Sunburst Express chairlift.
Day 9 : Sun Peaks to Whistler (363km)
Begin the day travelling along the Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek to visit the Historic Hat Creek (included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, ginseng. Departing Lillooet, travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. Nairn Falls located between Pemberton and Whistler is a beautiful waterfall that provides an excellent spot to stretch the legs. The trail is very well maintained and easy to follow. After taking photos and resting on the rocks, make your way back up the rocky area to the trail for the short walk back to the parking lot. Continue to Whistler. The rest of the day is free to explore Whistler on your own, relax and enjoy some of the many cafés and restaurants in this charming alpine village. Overnights for two nights in Whistler.
Day 10 : Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb is a hiking paradise. To get there, soar like an eagle on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (included). This engineering marvel links Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, offering an awe-inspiring ride across the valley. For an additional thrill, try to grab a silver gondola with a glass-bottomed floor. At the top, guests will be treated to unbelievable views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes, snow-capped peaks and more. More than 50km/30mi of alpine hiking trails are waiting for you. The High Note Trail offers the most scenic view of Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park. From Roundhouse (Whistler Mountain) ride the Peak chair to the Peak. Head west and down on the High Note trail. It circles around south and then east till it meets the Musical Bumps trail. From there, turn left (north) and head down to the Gondola (4.5 km) or west again at the Burnt Stew trail and goes back to the Peak (3 km).
Day 11 : Whistler to Vancouver
Depart Whistler and travel back to Vancouver. Brandywine Falls is another great stop when heading south from Whistler. The walk to the falls is only 10 minutes. From the viewing platform situated right at the edge of the cliff, you get a spectacular view of the 70 m falls. Continue along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. The Chief towers high above the town of Squamish and is a popular hiking destination that offers scenic views of Howe Sound and several mountains in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Hikers can complete all three peaks of the Chief in a day or just choose to do a shorter trip to the South Peak that still offers a spectacular view. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 12-13 : Vancouver - UK
Drop your car at the airport in time to take your homeward flight.
