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      • Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Park
      • Cheakamus River & Interpretive Forest
      • Cirque Lake in Callaghan Valley
      • Flank Trail (Rainbow-Sproatt)
      • Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Park
      • Helm Creek in Garibaldi Park
      • Jane Lakes West
      • Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
      • Keyhole Hot Springs
      • Logger's Lake & Interpretive Forest
      • Madeley Lake in Callaghan Valley
      • Meager Hot Springs
      • Nairn Falls Provincial Park
      • Newt Lake & Ancient Cedars
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      • Parkhurst Ghost Town
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      • Sea to Sky Trail
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  • Snow
      • Blueberry Trail Snowshoeing
      • Brandywine Falls Snowshoeing
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      • Nairn Falls Snowshoeing
      • Parkhurst Ghost Town Snowshoeing
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      • Rainbow Park Snowshoeing
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      • Train Wreck Snowshoeing
      • Wedgemount Lake Snowshoeing
  • Run
      • Whistler Golf Course 5k(3.1 Mile)
      • Blueberry Hill 6k(3.7 Mile)
      • Lost Lake 6k(3.7 Mile)
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      • Alta Green Lost 15k(9.3 Mile)
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  • AtoZ
      • Ablation Zone
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      • Adit Lakes
      • Aiguille
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      • A River Runs Through It
      • The Barrier
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      • Garibaldi Volcanic Belt
      • Gemel or Inosculation
      • Glacier Window
      • Green Lake
      • Hoary Marmot
      • Krummholz
      • Moraine
      • Mount Garibaldi
      • Mount James Turner
      • Northair Mine
      • Nunatuk
      • Overlord Mountain & Glacier
      • Peak2Peak Gondola
      • Roundhouse Lodge
      • Rubble Creek
      • Spearhead Range
      • Tarn
      • The Table
      • Usnea or Old Man's Beard
  • Maps
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      • Madeley Lake Map
      • Meager Hot Springs Map
      • Nairn Falls Map
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Sloquet Hot Springs

Panorama Ridge

Wedgemount Lake

Brandywine Meadows

Black Tusk

Cirque Lake

Whistler Train Wreck

Rainbow Falls

Snowshoeing in Whistler!

Whistler is amazing for snowshoeing! The Flank Trail, Rainbow Falls, Cheakamus River, Taylor Meadows are all fantastic to explore when there is a ton of snow on the ground! Check out our Best Snowshoeing Trails in Whistler here!

Garibaldi Provincial Park!

This is the first winter where the Rubble Creek trailhead to Garibaldi Provincial Park will be snowplowed! Now you can snowshoe from the trailhead to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows and deep into Garibaldi Provincial Park!

Cirque Lake is a wild and beautiful lake that hides high above and beyond Callaghan Lake in Callaghan Lake Provincial Park.  What makes Cirque Lake special among the other sensationally beautiful lakes in the Whistler area is both its location and geologically formed shape.  It sits high above Callaghan Lake, which itself is a gorgeous, mountain lake.  The remoteness of Callaghan Lake is a bit of a mirage due to the fact that you can drive right to it!

  • Infrequently hiked & relatively untouched
  • Stunningly beautiful lake created by glaciation
  • Endless alpine terrain to explore beyond the lake
  • The cirque acts a shield against the cold mountain winds
  • The side of the cirque you will be on is always sunny
  • You feel like you are in a hidden world in the mountains
  • Starting your hike from a canoe is fun
  • Callaghan Lake is a destination on its own
  • The drive to Callaghan is beautifully scenic
  • Few flat areas to put up a tent & cold swimming!

Callaghan Lake is accessible via an 8 kilometre weather battered and very potholed forest service road. The entire road is cratered with deep potholes, cut by frequent cross-ditches, and more recently a small section collapsing into the valley below. This logging road begins high up in the Callaghan Valley, which itself is largely overlooked by travellers to Whistler.  The Callaghan Valley is home to quite a few natural and man-made attractions. Brandywine Meadows, Alexander Falls, Northair Mine and Mount Sproatt are all found in the valley. Recently, the 2010 Olympic Games produced the largest man-made attraction in Callaghan Valley, Whistler Olympic Park. Though Cirque Lake is tremendously far into the wilderness, the amount of hiking required to reach it is effectively less than two kilometres.  Another two kilometres of canoeing is required to reach the trailhead at the far end of Callaghan Lake. But for such an enchantingly beautiful, mountain lake, the exertion to reach it is remarkably little.  The other attribute of Cirque Lake that makes it special, is its cirque structure. From the moment you catch sight of Cirque Lake, the abruptly steep sides all around give you the humbling feeling that you are inside a volcano. A volcano filled with emerald water and ringed by grassy meadows and crumbling, near vertical cliffs. Where you stand, at the entrance to the cirque, is not far from the only water channel out of the cirque. An ever narrowing gap in the cliffs spills water down one cliff after another until reaching Callaghan Lake just 1.4 kilometres away.

Owing to the fact that you have to reach the trailhead to Cirque Lake by boat ensures that it almost always remains deserted. Even in the middle of summer, your tent will almost certainly be the only one that resides in this magical cirque. You sometimes get hikers venturing up from their campsites at Callaghan Lake for a couple hours, otherwise nobody.  One feature of the Cirque Lake trail that no doubt scares hikers away is its steepness and ruggedness. It is mostly very steep, and due to the obliterating effects of winter snow, the trail markers are sporadic at best. One consolation is of course the length of the trail. Under two kilometres, makes the steepness much easier to tackle. With a heavy pack you can easily hike the trail in a little over an hour.  Or an hour and a half or two if you linger at the frequent viewpoints looking back on Callaghan Lake. The eruption of blueberry bushes in August is cause for some delays as well as it is surprisingly hard to pass up feasting on every bush you see.. and you will see a lot. The trail, for the most part is quite scenic and enjoyable. The first 15 minutes of the trail winds through a cute forest along and over some small streams. The next 15 minutes takes you up some steeper and more challenging terrain that require pulling yourself up with tree roots and at one section a knotted rope.

Cirque Lake Tent View - Hike in Whistler

Thirty minutes into the trail brings you to a massive boulder field that you have to budget your attention between the treacherous boulders ahead and the incredible views of Callaghan Lake behind.  The final 15 minutes of the trail is the most enjoyable of all. Summiting the ridge that takes you to the access point entrance to Cirque Lake.  This ridge has a clearing with breathtaking views overlooking Callaghan Lake.  So beautiful that you will be tempted to drop your pack and spend the night.  The real marvel of course lays just 5 minutes ahead.

Cirque Lake Hiking Trail Map - Hike in Whistler

Callaghan Valley Hiking Trails

Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerAlexander Falls Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrandywine Meadows Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerCallaghan Lake Whistler Hiking Trail HardCirque Lake

Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerMadeley Lake Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRainbow Lake Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyRing Lake Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlySproatt

More Whistler Hiking Maps & Guides

  Whistler Hiking Trail MapAlexander Falls Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapAncient Cedars Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapBlack Tusk Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapBlackcomb Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapBrandywine Falls Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapBrandywine Meadows Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapBrew Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapCallaghan Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapCheakamus Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapCheakamus River Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapCirque Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapGaribaldi Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapHelm Creek Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapJoffre Lakes Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapKeyhole Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapLogger’s Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapMadeley Lake Map Whistler Hiking Trail MapMeager Hot Springs Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapNairn Falls Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapPanorama Ridge Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapParkhurst Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapRainbow Falls Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapRainbow Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapRing Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapRusset Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapSkookumchuck Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapSloquet Hot Springs Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapSproatt Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapTaylor Meadows Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapTrain Wreck Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapWedgemount Lake Maps  Whistler Hiking Trail MapWhistler Mountain Maps

May 8th, 2019: After crossing the bridge to Whistler Train Wreck you come to the Hidden Agenda car and sloping down to the edge overlooking Cheakamus River ...
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June 13th, 2020: One of Callaghan Valley's beautiful places appears to be now blocked from the public. Madeley Lake, about as perfectly idyllic a lake can ...
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September 20th, 2018: Alexander Falls, high up in the Callaghan Valley in Whistler has some interesting historical murals and a mysterious plaque. The ...
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Sept 11th, 2019: The notoriously difficult biking trail in the wilderness between Emerald Forest and Rainbow Park is a pretty fun place to wander around.  It ...
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October 22nd, 2019: The Cal-Cheak campground just south of Whistler sits in a tranquil, huge tree forest, nestled between Callaghan Creek and Cheakamus ...
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October 21th, 2018: Pack smart by putting heavier items close to your back and higher up your pack.  Be organized and think of keeping important things ...
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July 8th, 2020: One of Whistler's most impressive drive-to mountain lakes, Madeley Lake is accessible once again. It appears a large public outcry forced, or ...
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Sept 25th, 2019: Newt Lake is a fantastic, emerald coloured and very hidden lake up on the far side of Cougar Mountain.  In the busy summer months you are not ...
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Rent Hiking Gear Whistler Garibaldi Park

Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking

Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerAlexander Falls  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyAncient Cedars  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerBlack Tusk  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerBlackcomb Mountain  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerBrandywine Falls  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrandywine Meadows  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrew Lake  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerCallaghan Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerCheakamus Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyCheakamus River  Whistler Hiking Trail HardCirque Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyFlank Trail  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerGaribaldi Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerGaribaldi Park  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerHelm Creek  Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler in SeptemberJoffre Lakes  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyKeyhole Hot Springs  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyLogger’s Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyMadeley Lake  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyMeager Hot Springs Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerNairn Falls  Whistler Hiking Trail HardNewt Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerPanorama Ridge  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerParkhurst Ghost Town  Hiking Trail ModerateRainbow Falls  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRainbow Lake  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyRing Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRusset Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasySea to Sky Trail  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSkookumchuck Hot Springs  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSloquet Hot Springs  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyMount Sproatt  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerTaylor Meadows  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyTrain Wreck  Hiking Trail Hard - Whistler TrailsWedgemount Lake  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerWhistler Mountain

  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking JanuaryJanuary  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking FebruaryFebruary  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking MarchMarch  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking AprilApril  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking MayMay  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking JuneJune  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking JulyJuly  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking AugustAugust  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking SeptemberSeptember  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking OctoberOctober  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking NovemberNovember  Best Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking DecemberDecember

Alexander Falls is a very impressive 43 metre/141 foot waterfall just 30 to 40 minutes south of Whistler in the Callaghan Valley. Open year-round and ...
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Holloway Falls is the beautiful waterfalls you see partway along the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park trail.  Located between Middle Joffre Lake and Upper ...
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Rainbow Falls is located just a short hike from the start of the Rainbow Trail to Rainbow Lake.  The trailhead is along Alta Lake Road on the far side of ...
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Cirque Falls crashes down from Cirque Lake to Callaghan Lake, connecting these two remarkably beautiful and very different lakes.  Where Callaghan Lake is ...
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More of the Best Whistler Waterfalls

Nairn Falls is a wonderful, crashing and chaotic waterfall that surrounds you from the deluxe viewing platform that allows you to safely watch it from above.  The beautiful, green water rushes through the ...
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The Rainbow Trail is a convenient and popular trail near Whistler Village that takes you to Rainbow Lake as well as the Rainbow-Sproatt Flank Trail, Rainbow Falls, Hanging Lake, Madeley Lake, Beverley ...
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Jane Lakes are a very remote feeling set of lakes in the beautiful wilderness near Cheakamus Crossing.  Consisting of three lakes, West Jane Lake, East Jane Lake and Little Jane Lake, they have a great ...
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Panorama Ridge is easily one of the most amazing hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  The 15 kilometre(9.3 mile) hike from the trailhead at Rubble Creek to Panorama Ridge takes you through beautiful and deep ...
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More Whistler Hiking Trails & Maps

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