A moderate out-and-back hike through old-growth forest, with water along the way. Expect about 150 m of climbing; most people take 3–4 hours.
Moderate · 13–14 km out-and-back · +100–150 m climb · 3–4 hours · Dogs: no dogs
Verified on October 24, 2026 against the official park page: dogs, passes. Other figures are approximate. · Sources · Cite this page
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Sea-to-Sky · ~130 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Garibaldi Park) before you go.
From the Cheakamus Lake trailhead at the end of the gravel road above Whistler, head east above the roaring Cheakamus River through old amabilis and Douglas-fir. After about 30 minutes pass the Helm Creek Trail junction (optional steep side trip to the river crossing), cross a devil's-club wetland and hemlock-cedar forest to the lake outlet at about 3 km. The trail continues about 4 km more along the north shore for those with time.
Watch for: North-shore extension crosses many streams and avalanche paths. Quieter in fall. Garibaldi Park rules apply.
Best season: Best June to October
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 | Summer and fall |
| Trailhead | Cheakamus Lake trailhead, Whistler |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | BC Parks day-use vehicle pass, AM or PM slot, in summer. |
| Dogs | No dogs |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Old growth, Forest |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Garibaldi Park) |
Rough gravel road to the trailhead. Old-growth valley walk.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Garibaldi Park) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 13–14 km (out-and-back) with roughly 100–150 m of elevation gain. Most people take 3–4 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Garibaldi Park) before you go.
No. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
BC Parks day-use vehicle pass, AM or PM slot, in summer.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Old-growth forest walks · Lake hikes · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Sea-to-Sky hikes · Kid-friendly hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Cheakamus Lake." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/cheakamus-lake/
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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