The Best Beginner Hikes in and Around Whistler

Whistler in British Columbia is home to stunning landscapes, impressive mountain ranges, and crystal-clear lakes. The beauty of Whistler is well known around the world — and its reputation is very much deserved! With approximately 3 million visitors each year, it is known for being the home of Canada’s world-famous ski resort. But we’ll save that for another blog. Today, we’d like to talk about hiking in Whistler.

When planning a hiking trip to Whistler, it can be overwhelming as a beginner to know where to start, as we all have different requirements. You could be low on time, or want to bring the little ones along with you, or perhaps you just want a taster to see if hiking is for you! 

Whatever your reason, the experts at BeWild! Adventures have got you covered.  

Want to know more about why hiking is good for you? Check out our blog post talking about the benefits of outdoor recreation.

There’s no better way to learn about hiking than to take part in a tour of Whistler; if that’s something that interests you, take a look at our Vancouver Private Hiking Tours. And if you have any questions at all, please give us a call — we have plenty to share with you! 

Hiking Rainbow Falls

Time: 1.5 Hour

Distance: 2.2 km

Level: Moderately Easy

If you want a hike that ends with a trip to a stunning hidden waterfall then Rainbow Falls is for you. Wander through the trail’s lush leafy landscape and if you’re on the hike with your kids — see how many different types of bugs or plants they can spot!

Rainbow Falls is a moderately easy hike, making it ideal for beginners. It’s also dog friendly, so bring along man’s best friend… so long as you keep your pup on a leash!

This is a great trail to bring the family along, as the path is quieter and ends with the magical Rainbow Falls! The falls are pretty small, but it would be a magical discovery for a young child (or anyone young at heart). 

It’s also a great place to cool off in the summer months — but beware of falling rocks and debris! 

Train Wreck Hike

Time: 1 hour

Distance: 2km

Level: Easy

Train Wreck Hike is the perfect mixture of urban and nature. On this hike, you’ll find an array of graffitied train cars that have been in the forest since 1956. There are seven box cars in total, so make sure you check them all out. In addition, it’s now considered a rite of passage for graffiti artists to leave their tags on the trail. 

It’s only a ten-minute drive from Whistler village, so this would be the perfect point to start your hiking journey. As well as checking out the street art on the train cars, take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and gaze upon the tall cedar and fir trees.

Green Lake Lookout

Distance: 1.9 km

Time: 35 minutes

Level: Easy

Green Lake Lookout is located at the Southern end of Geen Lake, in North East Whistler. This is a popular trail, but if you’re looking for a more private hike, aim to go during quieter parts of the day.

As you’d expect from its name, Green Lake’s waters are a stunning, vivid shade of turquoise characteristic of the region. Nearby peaks tower over the forest circling the lake and this leafy oasis leads down to Lake Green’s calm shores. 

This is considered to be a fairly straightforward route in terms of difficulty, but the views are anything but straightforward. 

How to get there: Travel to the north end of Whistler as if heading to Pemberton. Keep going past the Rainbow Residential Area and you will see the lake on your right. 

Good to know: The beginning of the hike is a bit steep, so be careful! 

Are Longer Hikes Better for Beginners? 

Some of the hikes we’ve outlined so far have been on the shorter side, and that’s great! A short walk is one of the ways to dip your toes in — so to speak — to see if hiking is for you. But honestly, we would be lying if we said that a short hike tells you all you need to know about hiking.

The best way to experience hiking is to immerse yourself in a full day of hiking. We know what you’re thinking: how can it be beginner level if it’s a whole day? But trust us… it can be. So, with this in mind, let’s discuss our Private Winter Waterfall Hike & Whistler.

Still not too sure about hiking? Are you unsure of all the terminology? Take a look at our blog post discussing the difference between hiking and trekking.

Private Winter Waterfall Hike & Whistler

Time: 9 – 10 hours

Distance: 5 – 7 km depending on waterfall

Level: Beginner

From January to March we organise this enjoyable private trek that’s ideal for those new to hiking. 

After picking you up from your Vancouver accommodation, we’ll drive up the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway in one of our comfortable SUVs. Along the way you’ll get to enjoy plenty of breathtaking BC scenery – this road is regarded as one of the most beautiful in all of Canada for a reason!

Our day’s hike will involve snowshoeing to a beautiful waterfall where we’ll stop to enjoy the revitalizing effects of nature and drink a warming mug of cocoa. Don’t worry if you haven’t tried snowshoes before, we’ll teach you all you need to know.

The waterfall of choice will be decided by your expert local guides on the day based on accessibility. The trails we cover will amount to between 5 and 7 km; just enough to provide a sense of achievement and time to absorb the picturesque environment, but manageable for even those with little prior hiking experience.

The tour finishes with around 3 hours of free time in the charming mountain town of Whistler. Admire the mountain views, explore Whistler’s creative side in its galleries and crafts stores, and grab something to eat and drink before we journey back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway. 

Private Cheakamus Lake Hike

Time: 8 hours

Distance: 7 – 14 km depending on selected route
Level: Beginner

Our final choice is a hike around Cheakamus Lake. We offer a Private Cheakamus Lake Hike on which you’ll get to experience the glowing turquoise waters of the lake, the towering mountains that loom from all sides, and the area’s peaceful, lush forests.

This hike offers a choice of two options: you can stop at the lake (first campsite – making it the 7km route) or carry on to the other end of the lake (second campsite – making it 14km). Due to the lack of elevation around the Cheakamus Lake, this hike is suitable for all levels. The tour operates between May and October.