1 — Rotary Nature Trails

Round trip: 2 km / Time: 1 hour

Popular multi-use trails follow the Coquihalla River through coastal forest, with great views of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers. Ideal for a casual walk or easy bike ride.

Directions: Travel to the north end of 4th Ave. where it becomes Wardle St. trailhead is at the north end of Wardle.

2 — Thacker Marsh

Round trip: 1.5 km / Time: 30 minutes

This is a short walk winding through a marshland habitat. Complete with walkways and bridges, this ecologically-sensitive area is filled with spawning salmon every fall.

Directions: From 6th Ave., turn east on Kawkawa Lake Road. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left onto Union Bar Road. Travel a short distance and you’ll see a parking lot and trailhead on your right.

3 — Thacker Mountain

Elevation gain: 130 m / Round trip: 4 km / Time: 2-3 hours

Hikers and mountain bikes can reach this beautiful mountain top within Hope

town boundaries, after a short, steep climb up a gravel access road. Once on the mountain, you’ll enjoy a network of gently-graded trails leading to scenic viewpoints of Hope and Kawkawa Lake.

Directions: From 6th Ave., turn east on Kawkawa Lake Road. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left onto Union Bar Road. Cross a second smaller bridge, then turn sharply left onto Thacker Mountain Road. Follow to the top of the road and park in the cul-de-sac. Begin hiking up gravel road.

4 — Hope Bike Park

Hope has a fantastic new bike park, designed by the esteemed Jay Hoots Inc. and local volunteers. You’ll find fun things to ride, appropriate for all skill levels, including a network of attractive forest trails. Drop in and test your skills!

Directions: From 6th Ave., turn east on Kawkawa Lake Road. You’ll see the park on your left, just before the bridge. Turn left into the picnic area and park.

5 — KVR/Othello Tunnels

Round trip: 8 km / Time: 2.5 hours

Located in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, this trail passes through mature coastal forest to a spectacular granite canyon and the Othello Quintette Tunnels. The tunnels are an engineering marvel, built between 1911 and 1916 as part of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. Several movies have been filmed here, including Rambo: First Blood. The trail follows the old railway line, with gentle grades that are ideal for biking and

easy walking.

Directions: From 6th Ave., turn east on Kawkawa Lake Road. Cross the bridge and continue to Kettle Valley Road (just before the cemetery). Turn right on Kettle Valley Road, drive to gate.

6 — Hope-Nicola Valley

Loop: 5 km  Time: 2.5 hours

Built in 1876, this historic route transported cattle from Merritt to Hope. Great views overlook the Coquihalla River, and old-growth Douglas-firs and Redcedars punctuate the trail. Part of the Trans-Canada Trail, it functions as a bypass when the Othello Tunnels are closed in winter.

Directions: From 6th Ave., turn east on Kawkawa Lake Road. Turn right onto Othello Rd. and drive 3 km. Turn right onto Tunnels Rd. and travel a short distance to the parking lot. The trail begins at the Othello Tunnels parking lot and eventually joins the KVR, allowing you to loop back to the parking lot via the tunnels.

7 — Hope Lookout

Elevation gain: 500m / Round trip: 4 km / Time: 3 hours

This is Hope’s “Grouse Grind”, offering hikers and runners a steep trail through lush forest, ending with a spectacular viewpoint perched on a rocky slope. You’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the rivers, mountains, and lakes surrounding Hope. Bikers will experience advanced downhill trails.

Directions: Travel west on Old Hope-Princeton Way. Take the first left under the overpass and park at the picnic tables. Follow a dirt road to the left, and signs show separate trails for hiking and biking.

8 — Hope Mountain Summit

Elevation gain: 808 m / Round trip: 9.3 km / Time: 6 hours

Hope Mountain is the iconic granite giant that towers over our town, and the hiker who reaches its summit is rewarded with fantastic views in all directions.

Directions: Drive 7km east from Hope on Highway-3, and turn right onto the Hope Mt. Forest Service Road.  The road requires a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with high clearance.  Drive 8 kilometres to the trailhead, which is marked by a sign and parking lot.

9 — Wells Peak

Elevation gain: 680 m / Round trip: 5 km / Time: 5 hours

Starting from the same trailhead parking lot as Mt. Hope summit, the Wells Peak Trail takes you quickly (and steeply!) toward Wells Peak. As the trail breaks out of the forest, it disappears. You’ll have to route find across steep meadows and a boulder field as you aim for the southeastern flank of the peak. Once on the flank, it’s an easy ridge walk to the peak. Views at the top make it well worth the effort!

Directions: Drive 7km east from Hope on Highway-3, and turn right onto the Mt. Hope Forest Service Road. The road requires a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with high clearance.  Drive 8 kilometres to the trailhead, which is marked by a sign and parking lot.

10 — Flood Falls

Round trip: 1.5 km / Time: 30 min.

Just off the freeway, this short hike to a waterfall is perfect for families. It’s fun to do on rainy days too, when the extra water makes the waterfall even more spectacular.

Directions: Take Flood-Hope Road west through Silver Creek, and an overpass takes you over Hwy-1. Another 3 km west brings you to an ESSO gas station. Turn left immediately after the ESSO and cross an overpass over Hwy-1. Turn left and travel a short distance until you see the trailhead sign on your right.

11 — Serpent’s Back Trail

Elevation gain (cumulative): 437 m / Round trip: 5.8 km / Time: 3 hours

A dramatic mountain trail overlooking Hope and the Fraser River that played a strategic role as a lookout used to defend Stó:lō villages from attack during the pre-contact era. The trail is physically demanding but rewards hikers with multiple viewpoints, a waterfall, giant granite boulders, and old-growth forest.

Directions: From the junction of Flood-Hope Road and Silver-Skagit Road, drive south on Silver-Skagit Road for 1.5 km (until the last house goes by) and look on your right for a steep gravel road leading to a large parking lot/trailhead.

12 — Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park

Sq’ewá:lxw First Nation has built a spectacular park near Ruby Creek full of trails for easy hiking and beginner/intermediate mountain biking. The park features a large playground for kids, beautiful viewpoints, and numerous sculptures hidden among the trees. Free to the public and open daily dawn to dusk.

Directions: Starting near Hope at the truck weigh scales on Highway-7, drive west for 8 km and look on your right for a sign and parking lot beside the highway.

13 — Mt. Outram

Elevation gain: 1,785 m / Round trip: 20.4 km / Time: 9 hours

This is a very physically-demanding hike. Rewards include blooming wildflower meadows in July, a small lake near the top, and far-reaching views of the North Cascades, including a spectacular view of Mount Baker in Washington State. A big hike with big rewards!

Directions: Drive east on Highway-3 for 22.5 km and park at the “West Gate” of Manning Park. Follow the old Dewdney Trail/Royal Engineers wagon road (built in 1861) to a sign marking the trailhead.

14 — Dewdney Trail

One-way: 36 km / Time: 2 days

Built by Edgar Dewdney in 1861, this trail was a vital trade route between the Coast and Interior during the gold rush years, eventually reaching east to Fort Steele in the Rockies by 1865. The trail offers moderate grades as it passes along lush valley bottoms and meadows. Also suitable for horseback riding.

Directions: Drive east on Highway-3 for 32 km and turn left into the parking lot marked “Cascade Recreation Area”.

15 — Whatcom Trail

Elevation gain: 650 m / One way: 17 km / Time: 14 hours

The Whatcom Trail begins 2.5 km from the start of the Dewdney Trail. This historic trail was built by American miners in 1858, during BC’s first major gold rush. The trail passes through mountain meadows at Whatcom Pass and a small lake called the Punch Bowl.  The trail heads down the Tulameen River and through Paradise Valley.

Directions: Drive east on Highway-3 for 32 km and turn left into the parking lot

marked “Cascade Recreation Area”.

16 — Skagit River

One-way: 15 km / Time: 7 hours

This gently-graded trail passes through valley-bottom old-growth forest, where the endangered Spotted Owl is known to nest. In June, wild Pacific Rhododendron are in bloom and Harlequin Ducks are nesting on the Skagit River. The Skagit River Trail was originally the “Whatcom Trail”, built in 1858 by American gold miners trying to avoid British taxes.

Directions: Travel east on Highway-3 for 29.5 km and park at the Sumallo Grove Day-Use Area. The trail is clearly marked. The trail finishes at 26-Mile Bridge in Skagit Valley Provincial Park, so you have the option of leaving a second vehicle there, or exchanging car keys with a hiker coming from the other end. There are two overnight camps along the trail.

17 — Silverdaisy Mountain

Elevation gain: 1435 m

Round trip: 20 km / Time: 9 hours

The Silverdaisy Mountain Trail begins 1.5 km along the Skagit River Trail.  Following an old mining road, hikers climb switchbacks to a saddle over-looking the Skagit Valley.  The trail goes left up from the saddle and through a meadow before reaching the top.

Directions: Travel east on Highway-3 for 29.5 km and park at the Sumallo Grove Day-Use Area. Hike the Skagit River Trail for 1.5 km and look for the Silverdaisy sign on your left.

18 — Cambie Creek/Fatdog Creek

Cumulative elevation gain: 685 m / Round trip: 16 km / Time: 8 hours

This area of Manning Park is only open for winter recreation — ski touring and snowshoeing. Old logging roads provide a trail network that includes easy, short loops and a more challenging trail up Fatdog Creek that takes you into the subalpine meadows of the Three Brothers Mountains — a beautiful winter route offering low avalanche risk.

Directions: Drive east from Hope on Highway-3 for approximately 50 km.  When you reach Allison Pass, you’ll see the highway works yard on your right. Travel east for one more kilometre and look on your LEFT for a left-hand turn lane and a wood sign saying “Cambie Creek”. Turn LEFT off the highway and into the parking lot.

19 — Spirit Caves

Elevation gain: 500 m / Round trip: 5 km / Time: 3.5 hours

This trail has steep switchbacks leading to a beautiful view of Yale and the Fraser River. At the top, the caves can be accessed but are hidden by large rocks.

Directions: Travel Highway-1 north to Yale (23.5 km from Hope). Park at the Pioneer Cemetery in Yale. Look for the “Spirit Caves” sign directly across the highway from the cemetery.

20 — Mt. Lincoln

Elevation gain: 580 m / Round trip: 5 km / Time: 3.5 hours

A steep hike over rocky bluffs with attractive views along the way. Hikers must use fixed ropes in a few exposed locations. The top provides a great view of Yale and the Fraser Canyon, including famous Lady Franklin Rock on the Fraser River.

Directions: Travel Highway-1 north to Yale (23.5 km from Hope). Drive through Yale and over a bridge, looking for a road intersection and pull-out on your right. Park here and walk across the highway to the north side. Walk along the highway toward Tunnel #1, looking for the trailhead on your left.

21 — Alexandra Bridge

Round trip: 2 km / Time: 30 min.

Alexandra Bridge was built in 1863 for the Cariboo Wagon Road that accessed the gold fields of Barkerville. In 1926, the bridge you see today was built to carry automobiles, replacing the original wagon bridge. However, you can still see the stone footings of 1863. A short trail takes visitors down into the canyon and across the bridge.

Directions: Travel Highway-1 north for 48 km and find Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park (just north of Spuzzum). Parking lot is on the left side of the highway.

22 — Tikwalus Trail

Cumulative elevation gain: 968 m / Round trip: 12 km / Time: 6 hours

This First Nations trail climbs steeply from the Fraser Canyon to Lake Mountain. The trail passes through pockets of old-growth forest before emerging onto open bluffs with

beautiful views of the Fraser Canyon. An overnight camp at the top features nearby lakes for drinking water. Signs on the trail reveal the canyon’s dramatic history.

Directions: Travel Highway-1 for 50 km north of Hope. Park at the trailhead, 400m north of the Alexandra Lodge.

23 — Eaton Lake

Elevation gain: 924 m / Round trip: 10.5 km / Time: 5 hours

Hikers will enjoy this beautiful mountain lake, which offers good fishing and pretty lakeshore sites for overnight camping. The trail passes through old-growth forest and features beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Directions: Head west on Flood-Hope Road. Turn left on Silver Skagit Road, marked with a single flashing traffic light. Continue along Silver Skagit Rd. 16.5 km until you reach the Eaton Lake Recreation Site to locate the trailhead.

24 — Mount Ottomite

Elevation gain: 300 m / Round trip: 8 km / Time: 4 hours

A popular winter snowshoe and ski route with deep mountain snowpack and attractive old-growth forests of Mountain Hemlock and Yellow Cedar. The heavy timber gives safety from avalanches, and forest openings on the summit of Ottomite give good views of surrounding peaks. The trail is a former access road that once serviced a weather station on the top of Ottomite.

Directions: Drive east out of Hope on Highway-5 for approximately 46 km.

After driving through the Great Bear Snow Shed, start looking on your right for the highway exit into the Zopkios Rest Area – NOTE: THE EXIT SIGN IS MISSING. Drive under the tunnel and park at washroom building. Ottomite Trail leaves from the Zopkios washroom building in a north-west direction.

25 — The Needle

Elevation gain: 855 m / Round trip: 13 km / Time: 6 to 8 hours

This strenuous trail climbs steeply toward “Needle Peak” and is very popular among hikers, snowshoers, and skiers. The trail passes over glacier-polished granite ridges and offers gorgeous views of the North Cascades and Coast Mountains.

Directions: Drive east out of Hope on Highway-5 for approximately 46 km. After driving through the Great Bear Snow Shed, start looking on your right for the highway exit into the Zopkios Rest Area – NOTE: THE EXIT SIGN IS MISSING. Summer parking can be found on the right after you exit the highway, but in winter, it’s best to drive under the tunnel and park at washroom building.

26 — Falls Lake

Elevation gain: 40 m / Round trip: 3 km / Time: 1.5 hours

Falls Lake Trail offers an easy family hike in summer, and an accessible beginner

snowshoe destination in winter. The lake is spectacular, surrounded by rugged granite mountains of the Coquihalla Summit area. Overnight hike-in camping is allowed and the

lake is designated non-motorized.

Directions: Drive east from Hope on Highway-5 for approximately 55 kms. Turn off at Exit #221 “Falls Lake”. Drive under the tunnel and follow a short paved road to a parking area. In winter, you must park near the tunnel.

27 — KVR: Coquihalla Summit to Portia

Elevation change: 600 m / One-way trip: 25 km / Time: 4-6 hours

A scenic bike ride on the historic Kettle Valley Railway (1916 to 1961) shows you the ruins of tunnels, trestles, and snow sheds; testament to the engineering nightmares that made this railway so expensive to build and maintain. You’ll enjoy riding the old rail bed, and some sections must be travelled via the adjacent pipeline maintenance road.

Directions: Best to ride this trail DOWNHILL by using two vehicles. Take Highway-5 east from Hope for 30 km and park a vehicle at the Portia Exit. Transport your bikes in the second vehicle as you continue east for 25 km along Hwy-5 to the washroom buildings just east of Falls Lake (where the former Toll Booths used to be). Park at the washrooms and ride your bike down a short incline that connects to the KVR. Follow the KVR 25 km downhill to Portia (diverting to the pipeline road for some sections).

28 — Guanaco Peak

Elevation gain: 900 m / Round trip: 8 km / Time: 6 hours

A strenuous hike rewards you with sweeping views of the Upper Coldwater Valley and the undulating granite peaks of the Coquihalla Summit. You’ll enjoy ridge walking on massive slabs of polished rock as you climb to the summit of Guanaco Peak.

Directions: Take Highway-5 east from Hope for 57 km and take Exit #228 “Britton Creek”. Take the overpass over Highway-5 to reach the Upper Coldwater Forest Service Road. Drive for approximately 12 km on the FSR and it will become increasingly choked with alder trees. To save your vehicle’s paint job, you may want to park and walk the road (increasing your hiking time). As the road gets closer to Guanaco, look

for a trail (marked by a sign) that leaves the road on your left and climbs into

the timber.

29 — HBC Peers Creek

Elevation gain: 1,100 m / Distance: Peers Creek to Manson’s Ridge – 8 km one way.

Peers Creek is the western trailhead of the HBC Trail. From here, you can hike, horseback ride, or mountain bike to the first overnight camp (6 km), continue climbing to Manson’s Ridge (8 km), or launch a multi-day backpacking adventure to campsites

spread along the entire 74-km route.

Directions: Drive east from Hope on Highway-5 for 10 km and take Exit

#183, called “Othello”. Cross the bridge over the Coquihalla River and drive Peers Creek FSR for 1.5 km to a parking lot and campground.

30 — HBC Sowaqua Creek

Elevation gain: 730 m to Camp du Chevreuil / 550 m to Manson’s Ridge

Distance: 4 km east to Camp du Chevreuil / 10 km west to Manson’s Ridge

Sowaqua Creek Trailhead offers excellent hiking in two directions. Hike east to the historic “Camp du Chevreuil” (Deer Camp) on Mount Davis and enjoy stunning views of Mount Hatfield and Mount Outram. Alternatively, hike west to Manson’s Ridge through old-growth forest in the Upper Sowaqua. As you explore the HBC Trail, look for  interpretive signs that reveal the trail’s amazing human history.

Directions: Drive east on Highway-5 for 20 km and take Exit #192, called “Sowaqua”.  Drive the Sowaqua FSR for 20 km. Trailhead has parking, outhouse, tenting area, and interpretive kiosk. The road network in Upper Sowaqua is typically free of snow by early June.

31 — HBC Jacobson Lake

Elevation gain: 380 m to Camp du Chevreuil / -200 m to Horseguard Camp

Distance: Jacobson Lake to Camp du Chevreuil – 5 km / Jacobson Lake to Horseguard Camp – 11 km

Jacobson Lake offers gently-graded hiking east toward historic Horseguard Camp, or west toward Conglomerate Flats and Camp du Chevreuil (Deer Camp). Hiking west, you’ll climb into wildflower meadows dotted with clear blue tarns such as Palmer’s Pond.

Directions: Drive east on Highway-5 for 50 km and take Exit #228 “Britton Creek”.  Drive the Tulameen FSR for 46 km. Jacobson Lake has vehicle camping facilities, horse corrals, and an interpretive kiosk.

32 — HBC Tulameen River

Elevation gain: 900 m to Olivine Camp / Distance: 9 km

The HBC’s eastern trailhead is beside the Tulameen River, 3 km west of the town of Tulameen. From here, you can hike to Olivine Camp, the first overnight stop on the HBC.

Directions: Drive east from Hope on Highway-3 to the town of Princeton (134 km). Take the Coalmont Road from Princeton to the town of Tulameen (19 km). As you enter Tulameen, look for 2nd Street, turn left, and follow 2nd St. out of town. Come to a Y-junction and stay left. Continue on Tulameen River Road until you see the red-roofed kiosk on the left. Park here. You must access the trail by wading across the river, so be aware that water levels will be high during spring runoff (May/June).