Whether it's a stroll along the shore-side promenade or a more strenuous climb up Bear Mountain, Harrison Hot Springs' variety of trails cater to family walks, brisk workouts and extreme hikes. Located within a 30 minute drive, destinations such as Bridal Veil Falls (the 6th highest falls in Canada), Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park (great for picnics and family nature walks) and Othello Quintette Tunnels (once a part of the Kettle Valley Railway system) are also worth exploring. Hop on a water taxi and head for Long Island in the middle of Harrison Lake; it, too, has numerous trails and lakes.
Harrison Beach Promenade
Enjoy an easy stroll beside the beach and along a man-made dyke that encloses a swimming lagoon. The trail includes benches as well as points-of-history markers along the way. It runs west to the hot springs source and east along Rockwell Drive to the Ranger Station Public Art Gallery.
Sandy Cove Trail/Whippoorwill Point
Located just beyond the hot springs source, follow the white metal diamond tree markers over the mountain to a small sandy beach. From here, there's a loop trail to Whippoorwill Point, the mouth of the Harrison River. Allow 20 minutes for both walks (rated easy to moderate).
Bridges Trail
A delightful short and easy 15-minute walk behind the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa meanders through the forest, moss-covered lamp posts and over nine foot bridges. Pick huckleberries en route.
Hicks Lake
Start from the day-use parking lot where this 6km/3.7mi path (rated easy) circles around Hicks Lake in Sasquatch Provincial Park. Allow 1.5- 2 hours to complete.
Campbell Lake Trail
For a heart-pounding challenge (rated advanced), climb the "Harrison Grind", a pseudo-name for the 5km/3mi vertical ascent of 650m/2,133ft to a small mountain lake and fantastic views of Harrison Lake. Trail sections are steep with plenty of round rock underfoot and log bridges to cross. Watch for trail head signs off Hot Springs Road. Allow 5-6 hours to complete.
Bear Mountain
This all-day hike, rated moderate to advanced, weaves through second growth forest to a waterfall. Then on to Bear Lake (6km/3.7mi) and the peak of Bear Mountain (10km/6.2mi) which looks across the Valley at Mt. Cheam. The trail head is approximately 5km/3.1mi north of Harrison along Rockwell Drive. For hiking trail information and maps, drop by the Harrison Hot Springs Visitor Centre (499 Hot springs Rd), three blocks before the beach.