From leisurely shoreline strolls amid coastal breezes to heart-pounding hiking expeditions through lush rainforest, Sechelt is a hiker's paradise.
Soft adventure abounds on the Sunshine Coast, and it's easy to soak up nature as a hiker without being an Olympic-calibre athlete. Sightings of wildlife like deer, beaver, and raccoon are certainly possible.
Take a pleasant hike in Cliff Gilker Park, off Highway 101 to the south, halfway between Sechelt and Gibsons (just 23km/14mi apart). Wander through 5km/3mi of forest trails, crossing Roberts Creek and admiring numerous waterfalls. Cliff Gilker Park is adjacent to the Roberts Creek Golf Course.
Take a short drive north on Highway 101 from Sechelt, and explore the 2km/1.24 mi hiking trail at Smuggler's Cove Marine Provincial Park. This route abounds with diverse scenery and habitats: views of South Thormanby Island and Malaspina Strait, bluffs festooned with arbutus and fir trees, and marshy areas spanned by boardwalks and full of bird-watching opportunities, from ducklings to red-winged blackbirds. Interpretive signs reveal the history and customs of the local First Nations. Bring along a guide, like Coracle Cove B&B owner Jack Pope, to learn about how Smuggler's Cove got its name from liquor trafficking and smuggling Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century.
More Challenging Hikes
Backcountry hikers can head up to Dakota Ridge, a 620ha/1,532ac plateau north of Sechelt and Gibsons, to explore the rolling, forested terrain. Enjoy a panorama that includes Vancouver Island and Mount Baker in Washington State. In the winter, Dakota Ridge offers groomed cross-country skiing trails, snowshoeing, and other facilities.
Try the steep 2.5km/1.6 mi ascent of Mount Daniel just north of Madeira Park for a spectacular view of Garden Bay. To get to Mount Daniel, turn at Garden Bay Road at the gas station and left after the first dirt road after Oyster Bay Road.
Pender Hill Park also gives hikers a great view of the Madeira Park/Pender Harbour area. Green thumbs will appreciate the rocky, arbutus-laden terrain's abundance of wildflowers in spring: Indian Paintbrush, Nodding Onion, and Mimmulus are among the colourful varieties.
More Sunshine Coast Hiking
The Suncoaster Trail Route offers 33km/20mi of trails to explore between Homesite Creek and Klein Lake, including a 21m/68ft bridge over Sakinaw Creek. And don't miss hiking in Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park, where sensational views of one of the fastest-moving saltwater rapids in North America are available near Egmont (51km/32mi north of Sechelt). Also look for starfish, anemones, and other marine life at North Point and Roland Point at low tide. In total, the lower Sunshine Coast is home to more than 10 provincial parks, meaning visitors need never run out of hiking options.
For more information on hiking on the Sunshine Coast, visit the Sechelt Visitor Centre (5790 Teredo St.), and pick up a copy of the Official Lower Sunshine Coast Recreation Map and Activity Guide.
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