Beautiful BC is home to four enormous mountain systems, 18 volcanoes and a plethora of rivers, lakes and marshes.  About one third of BC is barren apine tundra, icefield and glacier, displaying over 14 million hectacres of reserves and public park areas-- it's all begging to be explored. Time to get off the sofa!

Here are 30 dreamy hiking trails in BC you should take a trip this Fall: 

Brandywine Mountain 

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Where: Whistler
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

There's a good chance you've made a stop at Brandywine Falls while going up to Whistler. Across the Sea to Sky Highway is Brandywine Meadows and Brandywine Mountain and combined, the two make a spectacular and superb hiking day trip. The hiking trail wanders through beautiful forests (you can admire all the changing foliage!), mysterious meadows, steep and rocky slopes and will lead you to Brandywine's gorgeous 2200 metre-high summit. 

Dog Mountain 

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Where: Mt. Seymour
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

Dog Mountain is an "easy" hike with a hint of spice, the perfect exercise level of hikers who want to get out and have fun but still test their limits. It is only 5km roundtrip and includes a little bit of elevation gain. You will be rewarded with phenomenal views over Vancouver, especially on a clear fall day. Make sure to watch for slippery tree routes when making your way up and down the trail!

Three Brothers Mountain

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Where: EC Manning Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

Three Brothers Mountain has virtually everything for every nature lover: summits, rocky ridges, subalpine meadows with vibrant wildflowers, and IG-worthy views of the Cascade Range. This is easily one of the best hikes in southwest BC. You start off at Heather Trail by Blackwall Peak and hike to the 2272 metre-high First Brother Mountain. The trip takes roughly 6 hours. 

Joffre Lake

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Where: Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Joffre Lake is an alpine lake and popular hiking destination just outside of Pemberton in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. Their gorgeous landscape and vistas make this spot a well-travelled trail during the summer and fall season. If you're into it, you can even ice climb during the winter months. You will see 3 spectacular turquoise lakes, a waterfall, several mountain viewpoints and at the top, you can admire an up-close sight of the Matier Glacier.

Deer Lake

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Where: Burnaby, east of Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

You can enjoy a flat and easy stroll around this lake located just a bit east of Vancouver. It's about 5km of trail that circles around the lake pass by a beach area, playground, viewing tower and a pier, offering great scenery in the fall! It's the perfect spot for a chill and easy-going stroll, accessible all year round.

Crown Mountain

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Where: North Shore
Level of Difficulty: Very difficult

Crown Mountain is classic North Shore hike but it's not for everybody. Apparently, this trail is so intense that novices and kids and even DOGS have no business on there. Getting to the top requires negotiating steep trails and some exposed scrambling-- better leave this hiking trail to the experts.

Snow Camp Mountain

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Where: EC Manning Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

A day hike at Snow Camp Mountain is a scenic way to admire the area's visual delights! The trail climbs through forests and passes through meadows and slopes. It gives fantastic fiews of grassy mountaintops, as well as views of the great Lone Goat and Red Mountains. You can even see the striking Hozomeen Mountain across the US Border! This hike is about 17km and involves and takes about 6 hours.

North Coast Trail 

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Where: Cape Scott Provincial Park, Vancouver Island
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

This hike is NOT easy. It's a 43.1km extension to the Cape Scott Trail, but this backpacking trip along the northern tip of Vancouver Island might be one of the best experiences of your life! The views are absolutely stunning and if you're the type that craves outdoorsy adventure, this is the spot for you! 

Quarry Rock

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Where: Deep Cove, North Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

Quarry Rock is one of the most popular hiking trails in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. It is quite rocky, but navigation is doable. It will give you amazing views of nearby mountains around Belcarra, and it is the perfect destination to hike if you're looking to enjoy peace and quiet after a long work week.

The Lions

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Where: West Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Very Difficult

This 15km hike will take 7-10 hours and reaching the summit requires an ACTUAL technical climb. If you love rock climbing and you are an expert, this is probably the spot for you. This hike is no joke- it requires a spare set of lungs... but you will be well rewarded with views of BC's beautiful Howe Sound. Remember to bring food and water if you decided to embark on this hike. 

 

Mount Steele

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Where: Tetrahedron Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

For hikers, Mount Steele is a destination in Tetrahedron Provincial Park and amazing views await at the top of the mountain. You start off in the forest by the parking lot and end up at the top of the summit-- the trail is fairly well kept and well marked for hikers. You can spend a full day during the fall, admiring all the reds, oranges and yellows. You can even snowshoe in the winter and spend the night at a cabin. 

Cheakamus Lake

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Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This is one of the easier hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Cheakamus Lake in Whistler and it offers beautiful views of AQUAMARINE waters surrounded by towering mountains and rich green forests. You can camp overnight or  enjoy the day at the lake before heading home. The total length of the hiking trail is 16km but you reach the lake after only 3km, and the campground at 4km! 

Evans Peak 

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Where: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

This hiking trail is just north of Maple Ridge and this stunning provincial park is known for striking hiking trails. You can make it an overnight trip if you want to take your time to tackle these attractive summits. However, if you don’t have time for a lengthy hike, there’s always Evans Peak. You won’t find this trail in guidebooks or on the official park map, but it’s a terrific day trip for experienced hikers!

Mount Galiano

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Where: Galiano Island
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Galiano Island is one of the Gulf Islands and hikers usually take a vehicle with them on the ferry to make it an overnight trip. If you don't have the time for that, you can simply stick to the southern end of the island and make it a day trip! You will catch sights of bald eagles at the top of Mount Galiano and the scenery includes Mayne, North Pender, Prevost and Salt Spring islands. Remember to pack your camera!

St. Mark's Summit

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Where: Cypress Park, West Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

St. Mark's Summit is a peak along the Howe Sound Crest Trail and gives you absolutely BEAUTIFUL views of Howe Sound. You can either hike the entire Howe Sound Crest Trail (which runs all the way to Porteau Cove), or you can go with a simpler option and head to St. Mark's as it is an equally worthy destination which can be hammered out in about 4 hours!

Norvan Falls

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Where: North Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

On the longer side of the easy hikes listed here, Norvan Falls is a mostly flat 14km trail in North Vancouver. You can bring your dog, family, SO, bestie, trail runner companions... the options are endless! They have pretty good parking availability, too.

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

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Where: Squamish
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

This park is an iconic landmark in Squamish and it is a family-friendly hike that provides easy access to some of the most breathtaking views of BC. It towers about 2000ft. above Squamish and the panoramic views are airy, bright and will make you feel super tiny. You can rock-climb here too! 

Lighthouse Park

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Where: Beacon Lane, West Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This is the perfect hike for lazy people! Lighthouse Park has lots of short easy trails to choose from but they all offer breathtaking ocean views and picturesque Western Red Cedars, which you will desperately want to see during the fall months. This spot also makes for a perfect picnic date!

Kokanee Creek Provincial Park

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Where: Shores of Kootenay Lake
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

This park displays sandy beaches and three campsites to choose from. There is lots to do as they have adventure playgrounds, boat launches, viewing platforms, hiking trails and a marina! For a list of ALL their hiking trails, click here.

Garibaldi Lake

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Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

This is an extremely accessible alpine lake in BC, only 10km from the lake to the parking lot. It offers healthy and consistent inclines when you hike and the colour of the waters change as the seasons pass! By end of August, it's a distinct and mysterious blue colour that you can't describe through words. You have to see it for yourselves-- make the trek and pack your swimsuit.

Black Tusk

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Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Many hikers actually complete this trail in a day, but that's because they are hiking superstars. For the rest of us regular folk, a better option is to hike to Taylor Meadows and camp overnight and enjoy a bottle of pinot. You can hike back to Black Tusk the following day. No rush-- the world is your oyster!

Panorama Ridge

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Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

This special ridge is about four hours walking distance from Garibaldi Lake. The view is mind blowing-- it's the kind of view that makes you drop your mouth and whisper, "this is real?" Hikers love to watch sunsets and sunrises at this gem of a spot and some have seen falcons flying right beside them. It's a destination where Canada reminds you how beautiful they really are. 

Mt. Seymour 

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Where: Mt Seymour Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

This is the type of hiking trail that makes you want to buy super snazzy outdoor gear and take every possible pic with nature. It's that kind of vibe. This mountain offers arguably some of the best views of Vancouver without having to travel too far.

Mystery Lake

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Where: 50min from Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This is likely one of the easiest hikes mentioned in the list! This short trail is about 50min from Vancouver where you can go swimming to relax if you're too exhausted from adventuring the hiking trail.

Howe Sound

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Where: 40min from Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate

Many tour sites offer guided hikes at Howe Sound. Talaysay Tours offers hiking trails and snowshoe tours around the beautiful Tetrahedron Provincial Park. Moonstone Enterprises offers natural history educational tours around the BC's beautiful Sunshine Coast. If you're all hiked out, you can head to a farmer's market, mountain bike and even scuba dive. If you want to dive, you better get a dip in before the water gets too cold.

Cypress Falls

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Where: Cypress Falls Park, West Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This hike takes you along Cypress Creek through lush forests and moss-covered, old trees. It is a PRIME spot to admire the changing season without putting in too much outdoor effort. You will also hike through two gorgeous waterfalls, watching them pour into the canyon below. The best part-- this gem is only a 30min drive from downtown. 

Cape Scott Trail

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Where: Cape Scott Provincial Park
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

This hiking trail is situated in Cape Scott Provincial Park near Port Hardy and is a remote area in BC that tends to have unpredictable weather. If you don't like mud, don't go here. However, if you are the type that loves every dicey aspect that Earth has to offer, then this is your type of hiking trail! Dress in layers and be aware of bears and cougars... not a joke.

Paul's Tomb

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Where: Knox Mountain, Kelowna
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This hiking trail is a wide and simpler trail that runs along the East Shore of Lake Okanagan in Kelowna. When you hike to the end, you'll find a scenic beach and a cute picnic area.

Iceline Trail

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Where: Yoho National Park
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate-Difficult

This trail is above a tree line and over a rock. It ranges from moderate to difficult, but poor weather conditions can make this hike extremely challenging so make sure to check the weather beforehand! “Yoho” is a Cree expression for awe, it offers adventurous alpine spectacles and a vast look across the Yoho Valley.

Burnaby Mountain

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Where: 35min from Vancouver
Level of Difficulty: Beginner

This mountain has a couple different trails which makes it the ideal spot for beginners. You can choose longer or shorter routes (whatever you can handle) and if you do get tired, there are cafes and coffee shops nearby. It's a win-win! 

These 30 different trails across BC encompass their own personalities and individual challenges, but there is one thing that they all have in common: the #views are absolutely gorgeous. Time to hit up Lululemon!