Top Things to do in British Columbia
Top 10 Hiking Trails in British Columbia, British Columbia
Discover the best top things to do in British Columbia, British Columbia including Wild Pacific Trail, Pacific Rim National Park, Okanagan Rail Trail, Scenic Marine Route, West Vancouver Seawall, Rainforest Trail, The Grouse Grind, Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Butze Rapids Park and Trail.
Restaurants in British Columbia
1. Wild Pacific Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,689 reviews
The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet and is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.
Reviewed By 369PeterR - Toronto, Canada
We did the Wild Pacific Trail in two parts. On two mornings, by 7 AM my spouse and I did the 2.5 km light house loop portion of the trail. It took us about 50 minutes, including a few stops to take photos. It is an easy walk with a little bit of up and down. One day in the afternoon we also walked the segment of the trail from Brown’s Beach as far as it would go. This was about 8 km round-trip. It was a beautiful walk, sometimes through rainforest and sometimes along cliffs overlooking the ocean. The trail is very well-maintained and almost entirely a gravel path. We love it. Despite walking the trail on a holiday long weekend, it was not busy at all.
2. Pacific Rim National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,337 reviews
Unique park composed of three sections - Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands - that feature sandy beaches, island archipelagos, temperate rainforests and important archaeological sites.
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve consists of 3 units stretching from Tofino, the northern end, to Port Renfrew at the southern end, on Vancouver Island. These 3 units are: 1) The Long Beach Unit located between the beach towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, 2) The Broken Group Islands located in Barkley Sound and accessible only by boat, and 3) The West Coast Trail stretching for 75 km from Pachena Bay to Port Renfrew. Only experienced trekkers should attempt this trail. We got to explore the Broken Group of Islands when we joined one of the Whale Watching tour operators in Ucluelet. We were taken across the small islands in Barkley Sound, towards the south-east of Ucluelet, and saw the spectacular views of these islands covered by a small forest of trees, and rocks with a lot of kelp floating around. Finally the captain of the motorised boat spotted a humpback whale which we followed for quite a while as it kept spouting and breaking the surface of the water every few minutes. We even saw a group of grunting and squabbling sea lions on a rocky island, a sea otter floating on it’s back in the water, and some sea eagles perched up on tall trees of some of the islands. Likewise, a walk along the Long Beach near Tofino and along the West Coast Trail must be as mesmerizing for the incredible coastline scenery with the temperate rain-forests of the islands meeting the ever turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean. Keep your eyes open to spot some of the wonderful aquatic and terrestrial fauna like whales, orcas, dolphins, wolves, bears, cougars, and myriads of smaller creatures along the shore.
3. Okanagan Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By 498bobp - North Vancouver, Canada
This is an old railway line so the grade is flat or with a minimal hill. The trail is wide and well packed gravel. It runs along the lake the entire way to Oyama.
4. Scenic Marine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 723 reviews
Scenic running and hiking trail along the Pacific.
Reviewed By ravenB1885MR - Kingston, Canada
We always rent a car to do the scenic drive... right from the empress , thru James bay , past beacon hill... past willow, past oak bay... all the way to the university... so pretty... Grab lunch at oak bay marina restaurant or oak bay ave ( their main strip) or cadboro beach ( Sinclair road).
5. West Vancouver Seawall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By JoySeaYVR - Vancouver, Canada
This is a great walk with a friend or solo. it's safe as there are always lots of people day and evening. Great place to jog too. Easy walk to good restaurants of many styles. Love to breath in the sea air. You will see bald eagles sitting atop trees, seals, ducks,sometimes otters. There is a dog portion on the walk and a portion where no dogs are allowed, so good for all. Nice sunsets, great view on the Lionsgate bridge and many ships; many photo opportunities. I even like it when it's storming and the waves are crashing up splashing the walkway.
6. Rainforest Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
Rainforest Trail has two routes, A & B, both of which fully engulf you in the temperate rainforest full of gigantic western red cedars and western hemlocks. Sparking a sensation of zen, you will be overcome with the nostalgia of your childhood memories, ready to make more. Scan the upper canopy for birds, listen to the trickle of water and smell the life of this highly productive forest. Trail A is located on the opposite side of the highway from the parking lot. Trail B starts from the parking lot.
Reviewed By karinl357 - Vancouver, Canada
great walk - the red cedar boardwalk that takes you on the 1KM loop is in great shape and well taken care of. we did both loops A&B both were spectacular. Lots of signs and information along the way. was not expecting to pay to use, but they are definitely using the monies received to keep the boardwalk in good shape. lots of boards had been replaced. overall an easy walk - some stairs
7. The Grouse Grind
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 862 reviews
Reviewed By GreggJ872 - Mount Sinai, United States
When you get to the office/bus drop off at Grouse Mountain, you can elect to do the Grouse Grind to get up to where all of the activities are. The hike was a great challenge that we enjoyed. I would not attempt it unless you have some experience with uphill hiking or are in decent shape from workouts. Workouts that involve stairs or uphill treadmill runs are helpful. We are in decent shape and it was a big struggle. We made it in an hour and 8 minutes but needed about 20-30 minutes at the lodge once we made it to cool down and be able to get up and move around. Stay to the right to allow quicker hikers to pass you. Also watch for people that use it as a workout and are going up for their personal record times. There is another trail that is less travelled that is a little longer and also a challenge, the BCMC trail. It’s not marked as well but there are less crowds. We went early afternoon on a Friday in July and did not find it to be too crowded.
8. Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 779 reviews
Reviewed By CalgaryDukefan - Calgary, Canada
It is very easy to drive right by some road side stops. This is one to stop and smell the cedar. A very well constructed boardwalk brings you into an oasis minutes from the highway. It is an easy walk through a forest featuring magical cedars and plenty of other vegetation. Highly recommend making the stop as both kids and adults will enjoy.
9. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By MrSaren - Vancouver, Canada
This trail is arguably harder than the WCT and not quite as scenic though it is still has amazing beauty spots. The plus to it is it's challenging and I felt like had more natural inhabitants for better or worse. We had a 200+lb (guesstimate) stalking up behind us ats we were getting ready for bed and on a nother hike through ran into a Black bear cub and about three minutes later an incredibly large aggressive Black bear (probably mom). Both these happened near Bear beach. I highly recommend using the food bins as soon as you set up camp. My friend left his food in his tent while we made a beach fire before bed and by the time he got back there must have been over a dozen mice that chewed holes in his tent and were feasting on his stores. I suggest South to North as the last North Stretch can be a Mudfest. This trail lacks the massive ladders of the West Coast Trail but instead has a ton of hikes up and down into stream eroded valleys. It also has a few non bridge log crossings. My natural balance sucks so I found them stressful
10. Butze Rapids Park and Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By Calgary_Can_Travel
Well maintained trail with plenty of places to stop and view nature. The rapids are caused by the tide coming in and were very odd to see as it looked just like a river. Beautiful view around every corner.
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