This independent self drive holiday offers the opportunity to tackle a range of scenic hikes as you discover waterfalls, lakes and mountains, all at your own pace. Explore the many walking trails British Columbia has to offer, from the lush valleys of the Okanagan region to the alpine resorts of Whistler and Sun Peaks.
Starting and finishing in the beautiful city of Vancouver, this circular self drive itinerary allows ample time to get out of the car and uncover the scenic highlights of BC on foot. Spend a night in Manning Provincial Park, at the heart of the Cascade Range, before heading away from the mountain peaks to the fertile vineyards and rolling orchards of the Okanagan region.
Continue your journey to the popular ski resorts of Sun Peaks and Whistler. These are transformed in the summer, offering multiple walking options as well as the chance to spot wildlife and try a wealth of other activities including kayaking and mountain-biking.
Along the way stop to take your pick of trails, from short scenic strolls and easy lakeside walks to more challenging alpine hikes. Take in waterfalls, mountain-tops and even a former railway line, breathe in the fresh Canadian air and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you wander through the best of British Columbia’s magnificent landscapes.
Itinerary
Collect your rental car and drive east to the Golden Ears Provincial Park for your first stop. The 2-hour Lower Falls trail offers stunning views of the falls, particularly in the spring season when the runoff from the surrounding mountains is surging downstream. Continue driving to Manning Park Resort nestled in the middle of Manning Park. The trailheads for several hikes are accessible from the resort, including the gentle Lake Loop circuit around Lightning Lake.
Today travel into the Thompson Okanagan region, famed for its orchards and vineyards as well as its varied landscapes.
Diverse landscapes, historic sites and panoramic vistas create particularly interesting hikes around Kelowna. Take the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) trail, which is part of the Trans-Canada trail, for an easy high-country walk. The 12km section of the trail between the former Ruth Station and Myra Station features reconstructed wood-frame trestles, two steel bridges and two tunnels.
Depart the Okanagan Valley and drive to the alpine resort of Sun Peaks. The hiking trails here are designed to accommodate varying levels of fitness and experience, allowing all visitors to enjoy the unique experience of alpine hiking. You will find an endlessly diverse terrain of flat ground, gradual inclines and steep climbs, not to mention a vast mountain-top trail system accessible by ski-lifts. The mountains become a medley of colour in the summertime with wildflowers including Artic lupin, dwarf dogwood, fireweed and larkspur. Wildlife sightings may include blue herons, bald eagles and hummingbirds, as well as bears and coyotes.
Begin the day travelling along the Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek and historic Hat Creek Ranch (entrance included). Continue the journey south to Lillooet and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road – evidence of the gold rush years is ever present in this area. Carry on the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler, perhaps stopping at Nairn Falls for a short walk (approx. 1 hr). The rest of the day is free to explore Whistler.
Today take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, an engineering marvel that crosses the valley to link Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. As you ascend you will be treated to breath taking views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks. More than 50kms of alpine hiking trails await you, including the highly recommended High Note Trail which offers scenic views of Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park (9.5 km).
Depart Whistler for Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway. Brandywine Falls is a great stop, with just a 10 minute walk to view the spectacular 70m high falls. Other scenic points along the highway include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock. The granite Chief towers high above the town of Squamish and is a popular hiking and climbing destination. It is possible to hike all three peaks of the Chief within a day, or just explore the shorter South Peak trail. End your road trip adventure in Vancouver.
Optional Experiences
Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car hire including unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
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Sun Peaks Resort hiking lift ticket
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Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £849 Excluding Flights
6 Nights
Jun-Sep
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Doug
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Polar bears spotted in Spitsbergen
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Cage dive with sharks
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Ben
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
