Trails
Whistler’s transportation systems are integral to the livability and success of Whistler as a resort municipality. Residents and visitors are encouraged and supported to use walking, cycling and transit as preferred modes of transportation within the community.
Whistler’s extensive network of single-use and multi-purpose trails is available throughout the community. The Valley Trail for example, connects all subdivisions to the destination parks (Alpha Lake, Wayside, Lakeside, Rainbow, Meadow Park and Lost Lake parks), the village core and Whistler Creek.
Click here for the Whistler Hiking and Biking Map.
The Valley Trail
The Valley Trail is one of Whistler's most popular attractions. This paved, three-metre wide, multipurpose trail with easy grades currently runs 40 kilometers from the Cheakamus Crossing to Green Lake and Emerald Estates. The trail is designed to connect all subdivisions to the destination parks (Alpha Lake, Wayside, Lakeside, Rainbow, Meadow Park and Lost Lake parks), the village core and Whistler Creek. Using the Valley Trail: keep to the right, share the trail, leash your dogs, and clean up after them using the waste bags and bear-proof bins provided.
Click here for the Whistler Hiking and Biking Map.
Click here for more information on the Valley Trail.
Lost Lake Trails
Located adjacent to Whistler Village, Lost Lake Park is one of Whistler's most popular spots and has an extensive network of multi-use hiking and biking trails for everyone. Hikers and beginning bikers will enjoy Lost Lake Loop, Panorama, and Old Mill Road, and a variety of smooth gravel trails with names like Tin Pants, Molly Hogan, Gypsy Drum, Donkey Puncher, Tommy Moore, and Hooktender. Intermediate level and above mountain bikers will enjoy the challenge and excitement of the Frank Zappa singletrack trails, including Fountain of Love, Pinocchio's Furniture, Disco Boy, Dwarf Nebula, Packard Goose and the new Grand Wazoo.
Check with the concession for free trail map. Pack a lunch or get a snack at the concession. Have a BBQ lunch using one of the BBQs available at the park and enjoy views of Lost Lake. Washrooms facilities are available at the ticket booth and across from the summer concession at the Lake.
Click here for a map of the Lost Lake Park trails.
Whistler Valley Singletrack
The Whistler Valley Singletrack links together some of Whistler’s favourite mountain biking trails within minutes of Whistler Village. The singletrack valley bottom ride includes a mix of intermediate to advanced trails that are well marked with orange signs and symbols through the Lost Lake Park “Zappa” trails, Cut Yer Bars, Emerald Forest, and ever popular River Runs Through It. Signage takes the guess work out of the ride, and the Valley Trail brings you right back to the sunny patios of Whistler Village.
Click here for a map of the Whistler Valley Singletrack.
Rainbow Madley Trail
Wind up the Rainbow Mountain among the giant Douglas firs and hemlocks of the coastal forest. Rest beside a tranquil alpine lake and breathe in the sparkling air. Camp under dancing points of light from stars close enough to touch. Loop back down to Madely Lake, accessed by the Callaghan Valley. These are what make a hike over the Rainbow Madely Trail a special part of the Whistler Experience.
Click here for the Rainbow Madley Trail Map.
Reminder: You are entering Whistler's drinking water supply area. Everything we do in the water supply area, or watershed affects the water we drink in Whistler. For this reason, dogs are not permitted on Rainbow Trail above the intake.
The Flank Trail
The Flank is Whistler’s sub-alpine classic traverse with drop-dead views of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and of Whistler Village. Though not technically challenging it has strenuous climbs that will test the strongest of climbers, and it provides access for many of Whistler’s popular descending trails. The full Flank Trail from its north end at 16 Mile Creek to its southern terminus in the Callaghan Valley is 40 km long, but it can be hiked or ridden in bite-sized chunks from access points on Whistler’s west side.
Click here for the Whistler Hiking and Biking Map.
Sea to Sky Trail
The vision of a trail connecting the communities of the Sea to Sky Corridor, from Squamish to D'Arcy, has long held the imaginations of the residents of this region. The first phase, a 180 kilometre, non-motorized, multi-use trail is being built right now. This trail can be enjoyed by all skill levels of mountain bikers as well as walkers, hikers, trail runners and, in winter, on snowshoes or cross country skis. Much of the route is accessible for those with mobility challenges. By whatever means of travel, you will experience the diverse landscape and the rich human and natural history of our beautiful environment as the trail traverses the traditional territories of the Squamish, Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations.
The Whistler portion can be hiked or ridden from Whistler Village south to Brandywine Falls. The route south from Whistler Village follows the paved Valley Trail to Cheakamus Crossing, Whistler’s newest neighbourhood and the original home of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Athlete’s Village. From there the real fun starts on the one-metre wide, gravel surfaced beginner singletrack. The flowy trail continues to Calcheak campground and its suspension bridge. At the campground follow the gravel forest road to the spectacular Whistler Bungee Bridge. Have a jump (or just watch) and carry on across the bridge on the smooth singletrack to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park for a picnic lunch. Recently completed is the section of trail north of Lost Lake Park with its stunning views of Green Lake.
Click here for a map of the Sea to Sky Trail from Whistler Village to Brandywine Falls.
Riverside Trails/Whistler Interpretive Forest/Whistler South
With excellent hikes and rides for beginners, the Riverside Trails within the Whistler Interpretive Forest features a great network of trails that are suitable for every level of rider. Cruise through old-growth forest along the Cheakamus River on well-maintained, easy to moderate, singletrack trails. Cross the river on the suspension bridge, pedal to Loggers Lake for a quick swim or head back to Whistler’s newest neighbourhood at Cheakamus Crossing. If you have more time, the Interpretive Forest provides access to the Cheakamus Lake Trail, where beginning mountain bikers can ride to a wilderness lake. Also, at the south end of town are Trash, a renewed Train Wreck trail and the newly completed Sea to Sky Trail to Brandywine Falls.
Click here for the Whistler Interpretive Forest Map.
Whistler Hiking Trails
At the July 17, 2012 council meeting, RMOW staff made a presentation and provided a report to council about Whistler area hiking trails.
The report includes a summary of the 2012 Forest and Wildland Advisory Committee's.
Council endorsed recommendations in the report, as well,for staff to convene a Trails Planning Working Group to integrate the planning of non-motorized hiking and mountain biking trails within and adjacent to RMOW boundaries; and to engage this group to prepare a non-motoized Recreational Trail Plan for inclusion in the 2012 Official Community Plan Update and the Recreation Master Plan, and to guide the Alpine Trail Program in the 2012-2016 Five Year Financial Plan.
