Escape to the enchanting landscapes of Hope, Cascades, & Canyons this Valentine’s Day for a heart-pounding adventure! Embrace the majesty of towering snowy peaks and immerse yourself in lush green evergreen forests. This unparalleled destination offers a playground for top-tier outdoor activities, and sharing these experiences with your special Valentine will surely deepen your connection. Read on to discover HCC activities and adventures that will make this Valentine’s Day one for the books!

But First, Fill Up and Gear Up

Before you head out, you’ll want to make a few stops to have a bite to eat and gear up with the proper equipment and advice! For a quick, tasty, and nutritious bite in the heart of Hope, stop in at:

Blue Moose Coffee House – 322 Wallace Street
Hope Mountain Cafe – 293 Wallace Street

From woolly hats to backroad maps, headlamps to warm socks, and everything in between, a fantastic one-stop shop before your outdoor odyssey begins is Hope Outdoors. If you have any questions, friendly owners Lily and Daniel have incredible knowledge of the area’s must-do activities. And, if you plan on ice skating in Manning Park, get your skates sharpened at 6^th Avenue Sports.

Hike Around Hope

Walking and talking is an incredible bonding experience, and breathtaking views provide an air of romance! Lift your spirits with an easy walk or soar to new heights on a mountaintop trek with these remarkable hiking options in Hope (you’ll find even more here):

EASY: Thacker Marsh

Located in an 11-acre park with peaceful walking paths, the marsh provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography year-round, as well as being a spawning and rearing channel for coho, pink, and chum salmon. Add in a dash of exquisite mountain views and you have the recipe for a romantic, hand-in-hand walk!

INTERMEDIATE: Kw’okw’echíwel Stl’áleqem – The Dragon’s Back Trail

Your hearts will beat faster as you hike one of the newest trails in the area. The Halq’eméylem name translates to “Lookout of the Two-Headed Serpent”, and reflects the rich Indigenous history of the area. Located on the traditional territories of the Stz’uminus, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Coast Salish, and Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ (Nlaka’pamux) First Nations, this trail is 5.8 km (round trip). The area was used by Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years as a lookout to keep riverside villages safe. Delight in the grand old-growth forest, enormous boulders, and spectacular lookouts.

CHALLENGING: Hope Lookout Trail

You’ll adore the views from the lookout, perched on a talus slope 500 metres up Hope Mountain. Get a bird’s eye view as you gaze over the town far below, as well as views of Kawkawa Lake and the Coquihalla and Fraser Rivers. Total distance: 5km (return).

Winter Activities

Some regions may hibernate for the winter, but when winter hits Hope, Cascades and Canyons, the fun has just begun. You and your sweetheart will find heaps of activities to do together in these sublime places:

COQUIHALLA SUMMIT RECREATION AREA: Blanketed in heavy snow, this snowy haven provides endless opportunities for winter sports, from snowshoeing to snowmobiling. The Coquihalla Summit Snowmobile Club grooms over 90km of trails, with fantastic riding areas for beginners to expert riders. There are also accommodations next to the riding area at Coquihalla Lakes Lodge, situated high in the gorgeous Cascade Mountains. You’ll also find endless opportunities for snowshoeing and back country skiing. Winter camping is allowed here, and traditionally occurs at Falls Lake, but please note there are no facilities available, and there can be extreme and changing weather conditions. Before you head out, check out this BC Parks Webpage. It provides information on this region, including maps of avalanche zones to avoid, so please familiarize yourself with the area before heading there.

MANNING PROVINCIAL PARK: You’ll find a diverse range of winter activities throughout this massive (206,755 acre) park. At Manning Park Resort, step into a winter wonderland where you and your loved one can choose from alpine skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, the Polar Coaster Tube Park, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Don’t have the equipment? No worries, they’ve got you covered with a wide variety of rentals! You can also book a cabin and turn your Valentine’s visit into a multi-day romantic getaway. And for the hardiest adventure seekers, winter camping is permitted in some campgrounds; check here for more details.

And click here to read our winter getaway blog where we talk more about all the outdoor adventuring you can do at Manning Park Resort!

AprÉs Adventure

After an exhilarating day spent in fresh mountain air, nothing beats relaxing in a warm and inviting pub or restaurant and devouring a delicious dinner. Check out these local eateries (and find more here).

Pubs & Breweries

BEAR’S DEN PUB Manning Park Resort

MOUNTAINVIEW BREWING CO. 390 Old Hope Princeton Way, Hope

SILVER CHALICE LOCAL HOUSE & PUB 19974 Silverview Road, Hope

Restaurants

OWL STREET CAFE 19855 Owl Street, Hope

PINEWOODS DINING ROOM Manning Park Resort

KIBO SUSHI 267 King Street, Hope

HOME RESTAURANT 665 Old Hope Princeton Way, Hope

ROLLY’S RESTAURANT 888 Fraser Avenue, Hope *Note: Rolly’s re-opens on February 15th after a temporary closure.

STALLONES Unit A, 541 Wallace Street, Hope

We wish you and your loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day and invite you to experience Hope’s astonishing outdoor adventures! Be sure to tag us at @tourismhcc and use our hashtag, #ExploreHCC, to share your adventures with us!

Click below to explore more of HCC!