Sea-to-Sky · Challenging · out-and-back

petgill lake

A hard out-and-back hike to a big view, with water along the way. A real workout, with about 700 m of climbing over 10–12 km. Plan on 4–5 hours and pack the Ten Essentials. Usually quiet.

Challenging · 10–12 km out-and-back · +600–700 m climb · 4–5 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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CHALLENGING
Difficulty 3 of 4
JFMAMJJASONDAPR–OCTSEASON
Spring to fall

quick facts

Distance
10–12 km
Elevation gain
600–700 m
Typical time
4–5 hours
Route
out-and-back
Dogs
Check local rules
Drive from downtown
~55 min
Trail ticket

your trail ticket

Hike Vancouver · Trail ticketNo. 063

petgill lake

Sea-to-Sky · ~55 min from downtown

Trailhead
Murrin Park lot on Highway 99
Difficulty
Challenging
Hiking time
4–5 hours
Suggested start
Before 11 am
Distance
10–12 km
Climb
+600–700 m
Season
Spring to fall

Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Murrin Park) and Crown land before you go.

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elevation profile schematic

+700 m0 km12 km

Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.

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trail facts

RegionSea-to-Sky
DifficultyChallenging
SeasonSpring to fall
TrailheadMurrin Park lot on Highway 99
Parking & transitLittle or no transit; plan to drive.
Permits & passesNone. Park in designated lots only; BC Parks tows illegally parked vehicles.
DogsCheck local rules
Kid-friendlyBetter for older, fit kids or adults
HighlightsLakes & water, Views, Forest
CrowdsUsually quiet
Managed byBC Parks (Murrin Park) and Crown land

safety notes

Starts by crossing Highway 99 on foot; take great care. Rough, rooty trail with old logging roads and some route-finding.

Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Murrin Park) and Crown land for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.

questions

How long is Petgill Lake?

About 10–12 km (out-and-back) with roughly 600–700 m of elevation gain. Most people take 4–5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Murrin Park) and Crown land before you go.

Are dogs allowed on Petgill Lake?

Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.

Do I need a pass or permit for Petgill Lake?

None. Park in designated lots only; BC Parks tows illegally parked vehicles.

Can I get to Petgill Lake by transit?

Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.

sources

See also: Hikes with the best views · Lake hikes · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Sea-to-Sky hikes · Quieter trails · Guides

Cite this page

Hike Vancouver. "Petgill Lake." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/petgill-lake/

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nearby in sea-to-sky

Cam Appleton, Vancouver real estate agent, climbing the side of a downtown tower at sunset with the North Shore mountains behind
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good to know cam

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 signature logoCam Appleton
Commercial & Residential Real Estate · Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty