A moderate hike to a waterfall, with water along the way. Most people take 3.5 hours.
Moderate · 8 km round trip · climb not listed · 3.5 hours · Dogs: check local rules
Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page
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Sea-to-Sky · ~140 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Brandywine Falls) before you go.
From the Brandywine Falls lot, cross Brandywine Creek and go right on the Falls Trail. Option A: the unmarked original route left before the railway, scrambling over lava rock through lodgepole pine to the old McGuire Station and along the Cheakamus River to the Cal-Cheak suspension bridge and Forest Service recreation site. Option B: the Sea to Sky Trail route. Return via the cross-country ski trail from McGuire Station.
Trailhead location from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Dogs, transit, fees and closures change; check the official page.
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | Sea-to-Sky |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Best May to October |
| Trailhead | Brandywine Falls Provincial Park |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Better for older, fit kids or adults |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Waterfalls, Forest |
| Crowds | Not rated yet |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Brandywine Falls) |
Unmarked route needs navigation and careful footwork; watch for occasional ribbons. Active rail line: cross only at designated points.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Brandywine Falls) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 8 km (round trip) with roughly not listed of elevation gain. Most people take 3.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Brandywine Falls) before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Waterfall hikes · Lake hikes · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · Sea-to-Sky hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Cal-Cheak Trail." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/cal-cheak-trail/
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Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.
My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.
Cam Appleton