Hike and Drive British Columbia

Day 1: Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver and spend the day exploring the city at your leisure.

Day 2: Vancouver - Manning Provincial Park (211 km)

This morning collect your rental car and drive east to the Golden Ears Provincial Park for your first stop. The 2-hour Lower Falls trail is a great way to stretch your legs, and 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 Manning Park Resort located in the middle of Manning Park. The trailheads for several hikes are accessible from the resort, including the gentle Lake Loop circuit around Lightning Lake.

Day 3: Manning Provincial Park-Kelowna (146 km)

Today travel into the Thompson Okanagan region, famed for its orchards and vineyards as well as its varied landscapes.

Day 4: 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 5: Kelowna - Sun Peaks (266 km)

Depart the Okanagan Valley and drive to the alpine resort of Sun Peaks. Sun Peaks' hiking trails are designed to accommodate varying levels of fitness and experience so that all visitors can enjoy the unique experience of alpine hiking. Here you will find an endlessly diverse terrain with flat areas, gradual inclines and steep climbs, not to mention a vast mountain-top trail system accessible by ski lifts. In summer the mountains become a kaleidoscope of colour with wildflowers like with Artic lupin, dwarf dogwood, fireweed and larkspur. Wildlife sightings may include blue herons, bald eagles and hummingbirds, as well as bears and coyotes.

Day 6: Sun Peaks - Whistler (356 km)

Begin the day travelling along the Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek and historic Hat Creek Ranch (entrance included). Continue the journey south to Lillooet and 'Mile Zero' of the Old Caribou Wagon Road – evidence of the gold rush years is ever present in this area. Continue on the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler, perhaps stopping at Nairn Falls for a short walk (approx. 1 hr). The rest of the day is free to explore Whistler.

Day 7: Whistler (High Note Trail)

Today take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, an engineering marvel that crosses the valley to link Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. As you ascend you will be treated to breathtaking views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks. More than 50 km of alpine hiking trails await you, including the highly recommended High Note Trail which offers scenic views of Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park (9.5 km).

Day 8: Whistler - Vancouver (124 km)

Depart Whistler for Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway. Brandywine Falls is a great stop, with just a 10 minute walk to view the spectacular 70 m high falls. Other scenic points along the highway include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock. The granite Chief towers high above the town of Squamish and is a popular hiking and climbing destination – you can hike all three peaks of the Chief within a day, or just explore the shorter South Peak trail. End your day with a celebratory dinner in Vancouver.

Day 9: Vancouver

Check out and return your rental car today.