Spend a day with a certified guide exploring Garibaldi Park’s glacier-fed lakes, ridgelines and alpine meadows. Choose from Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge or Elfin Lakes for a full-day hike tailored to your fitness and interests.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A cold wind pushes across the bright turquoise of Garibaldi Lake, ice-melt threads the scree and the peaks loom like old guardians. You begin on a spruce-shaded trail that slowly climbs, the forest breathing around you as the trees thin and the alpine opens. By midday the glaciers glitter on ridgelines and the air tastes clean enough to drink.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours (full-day; varies by trail)
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness—able to sustain steady uphill hiking for several hours and manage uneven, rocky terrain.
Wildlife
History
The park contains volcanic landforms and has long been part of seasonal travel routes of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Lil’wat peoples; modern trails follow centuries-old corridors.
Conservation
Stick to established trails to limit erosion, pack out all waste, and follow bear-aware practices; the park’s fragile alpine vegetation recovers slowly from trampling.
Reserve your spot on the Hiking in the Stunning Garibaldi Park today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start before sunrise
Trailheads fill quickly and alpine weather is most stable in the morning; early starts also avoid afternoon storms and crowds.
Dress in layers
Temperatures swing dramatically from forest to exposed ridgeline—pack a warm midlayer and waterproof shell.
Carry cold-water safety gear
If you plan to dip in glacier-fed lakes, know the water is near-freezing—bring a towel and dry clothes, and avoid long swims.
Respect parking and permits
Bring your park pass and plan for limited parking at Rubble Creek; shuttle or carpool when possible.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction for long ascents and rocky, sometimes muddy trail sections.
Water (2–3 L) and purification tablets
Hydration is critical on full-day hikes; purification is useful if you refill from alpine streams.
summer
Waterproof shell and insulated midlayer
Wind and sudden showers are common at higher elevations—pack layers for warmth and dryness.
spring
Trekking poles
Help with balance on steep descents and reduce strain on knees during long hikes.
fall