I love hiking and have done a lot of hiking over the past couple of years (I started a hiking group two years ago), improving my stamina and fitness level. I have been able to do increasingly harder hikes, although my level is solidly intermediate -- I can't do hikes that are 20km, 10 hours, extreme elevation, really rough terrain, etc. The Stawamus Chief, known as "The Chief", is a popular hike that is on many people's bucket list. I was never particularly interested in The Chief, as the description seemed too difficult and being in Squamish, it was not possible to get there as a non-driver. However, this summer, some friends who I met through my hiking group wanted to try The Chief. We went on a Wednesday, in order to avoid the weekend crowd. Seven of us went, and none of us being morning people, we arrived around 11:30am, which is considered late for hardcore hikers. Fortunately, we were able to find a parking spot, although there were very few available at that time. The Chief consists of three peaks, and we only did the first one, which was more than enough. We went quite slowly, taking breaks as needed, and excluding about an hour at the top, taking in the view and having lunch, it took us about 4.5 hours to complete (2.5 hours to the top, 2 hours back down). While I was obviously able to complete The Chief, I didn't particularly enjoy the hike (although I really liked the company and hanging out with my friends), and I have no desire to do it again -- I've done it once, I don't have anything to prove, and there are so many other hikes to do. The trail for the first peak, while relatively short (under 4km there and back) is quite steep, and there are a lot of stairs. The problem is that I am short, and the steps were quite high, so I was extra slow as it took me longer to step up or down each stair, and by the end of the hike, I was exhausted (as were my friends). I had heard that there were chains and a ladder on the rock face that you needed to scramble up in order to get to the top, and this is why I had no desire to try The Chief. While challenging, the chains and ladder weren't so bad, and easier than I had expected. But the scramble up the rock face after the chains and ladder was horrible. I hated the scramble up the rock face, and I was actually pretty terrified -- I almost fell backwards to my death, as with Tunnel Bluffs. Thankfully my friends helped me. In my opinion, there should have been some chains to hold on to. Anyway, I made it up without dying, but I am never doing that again. At the top we could see the second peak, and to me, it looked like a pure scramble up rock face, the part I hated about our hike. I'm definitely never going to attempt the other peaks. We spend about an hour at the top, having lunch and hanging out. There was a cute chipmunk who ate the trail mix that I "accidentally" dropped, and we saw a Peregrine falcon and a raven flying around for over five minutes -- it looked like the falcon was chasing the raven. Overall a great day with my friends, but I did not enjoy The Chief and have no desire to ever do it again. [Yelp collections: Hiking] read more

See all

I had never been to Stawamus Chief before but I was super excited for it. I had heard that it was a rather difficult hike (which it is) but it's totally doable! We had someone with us who had never done a hike before and she made it to the top so it's doable. Having said that, we only did peak 1 because it was raining that day and we didn't want to risk anything. Peak 1 have lots of rocks and the elevation gain is pretty big. It took us 4.5 hours in total for the hike but if you are someone who is a hiker, it's possible to do it in 3 hrs. I will say that if you decide to do this hike on a rainy day, be prepared to have proper shoes because it does get slippery! Regardless I would say having proper shoes for this hike is important. The top of the hike is mostly climbing with ropes and on flat elevated rocks so it's good to have shoes with good grip. The view from up there is definitely worth it though! read more

See all

An amazing hike got it for four hours with normal pace since its my first hike again this year. Wide parking area but still took us 30 minutes finding a spot maybe cause its the weekends. I would say its an intermediate hike for the first few steps are the toughest but after that its not that elevated only your body will twist and turn finding your steps especially on the way to third peak. I would say that the second peak has the best view but will still recommend to push through and reach third peak as its not that far from second peak, you will be stun by the amazing mountain view as well. If your into rock climbing this is a good place as well I saw some doing saw its between peak 1 and 2. Overall, its a good hike, old and children are as well recommend for this trail. read more

See all

These views are amazing! Everything about Stawamus Chief is impressive and it is a must see location if you are in Canada. The park is pretty big. The trails wander off to the gondola and all the way toward Shannon falls. Parking is ample here and there is a few picnic areas, a nice lawn and tables. Everyone seemed to stop here to rest, stretch, and enjoy the sun. I'm the upper parking lot there was tons of van spaces and the view from there is really nice! Next to this lot was a smaller picnic area and if you are staying a the camp site there is another lot further up. The campsites all had small tents, no 6 person spaces it seemed but I saw spots numbered up in the 70s so there is so much room here! As for the hike itself, signs leading up will warn you people have to be rescued from this trail and to make sure people know where you're hiking because this hike is not for the weak. The trailhead starts with rock stairs leading to wooden stairs and they are steep. The view from the top though is breathtaking and a hike up this will leave you very proud! read more

We wanted something rigorous before we go back home. This was our go to hike for practice hike added with Diez Vista. I will say tho that it had changed drastically, it had become very hard either that or maybe we just got old! We took the path to the Third Peak and it definitely changed. There's more challenges going up using our hands to grab onto boulders and roots. We always used this side to avoid people. If you're ok with hikers here and there and waiting, check out first peak and second peak. That is usually the go to for people. Going down was harder on the knee! Again is it the path or us that had changed? Since we're avid hikers it was easier to find a path more suitable and efficient for us. For beginner hikes keep your eyes on the trees and follow the diamond signed nailed on them. If you follow random paths you can easily get lost. There are Boulder climbers as well so please don't throw rocks. Right now BC parks has reservation for all parks and they will check the confirmation for crowd control. read more

See all

The crown jewel of the Squamish area and oh so much fun. The "hikes" up the three peaks of the Chief are not for the faint of heart but oh so much fun. Dogs would have a tough time up the 2nd peak, but can make it up the 3rd no problem and up the 1st with some creative route finding around the ladders. I'm so glad I got to do this on my first trip to Squamish. Will remember this hike for the rest of my life. read more

See all

The chief overall was a good hike, did all 3 peaks in a day. This hiking trail isn't for those with acrophobia. Summary: 1st peak- easy as you reach the you'll encounter a sturdy steel ladder. 2nd peak- harder as you'll have to climb steel bars lodged on the rock wall approximately 20 feet high. 3rd peak- gets easier just mostly chain ropes and ladders as your reach the peak. read more

See all

Stawamus Cheif hike was one of the most challenging hikes that I've been on (possibly because we hiked it on a rainy day)! From parking lot to Peak #2, my FitBit tracked it as 2.25 miles which is not a lot distance wise but it was ALL steep stair climbing and after the stair climbing there is scaling the side of the peak while holding onto chains and then climbing a ladder and squeezing yourself between crevasses... defiantly not for the faint of heart but if you are up for it, Stawamus is absolutely a great work out with an even better view. If you are hiking this train on a rainy day, I highly recommend hiking boots with good grip and waterproof everything! Totally doable in the rain but extremely nerve wreaking and you won't get the classic view/picture because your head will literally be in the clouds. I'm already planing my next trip back to camp and climb some of the awesome granite routes. read more

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - Climbing Near Me - Squamish, British Columbia

Excellent Climbing | Beautiful Area free We didn't do the hike, but we did boulder around the Grand Wall boulders. Lots of parking, but when it's prime climbing season, this place is swarming with climbers. Easy to get on/off the main highway. There's a roundabout and to the right is a very small parking area. If you go left, there's more parking. That place fills up fast first, so if it does, continue past the first main lot and go down to the last spot with more parking stalls. We parked there to walk to the boulders. I hear the hike is excellent and a stair stepper, so if you're not here to rock climb, hike that. For climbing, there's a lot of trad lines and bouldering to do. Some of our favorite boulder routes: -Lounge Act (V6) // razor crimps -Easy in an Easy Chair (V4) // slopers -Swank Stretch (V5) // powerful moves on incline -Gastronomical (V5) // powerful stretch into pocket -Superfly (V4) // easy and fun classic **Superdyke (V3) is considered a classic, but a lot of people (even locals) tend to skip this because it's not that great** read more

See all

Another great hike you must complete (the other being the Grouse Grind) if you want to call yourself a Vancouverite. You must climb to the top of the rock. Yes, it literally is 1 giant rock. There are parking lots available at the bottom. At least one of them is free. Not sure about the other. Just like the Grind, this is no walk in the park. Be warned. The vertical rise is some 700m. Unlike the Grind, not all of the hike is an actual trail. You will be climbing rocky sections where the only indicator will be the markers nailed to trees. There are 3 peaks in total - if you are so inclined, you can hit all 3 in one day. Peaks 1 and 2 are located very close to each other, but this area is so dangerous, they've actually installed ladders and chains you can grab onto. 3 is the highest peak, and provides the best view, but is also the longest hike. From the parking lot, you can get to Peak 3 in 2h or so. One little known trail is actually the 4th peak(?) located to the R of the the path leading to Peak 3. Nobody seems to know this, but it's shown clearly on the trail markers. I found this one to be extremely difficult in terms of sheer steepness. The good news is since nobody seems to know about it, it's actually quite empty. And the view up top is just as amazing. read more

See all

It has been a while since my last hiking trip in Lynn Canyon Park trail. All I can say this time the experience is way tougher, it was very challenging, very physical and requires lots of water (I say at least 1 liter per person). You would need to use both hands to climb the ladder, the rock, grab the metal chains (near the top), a clean towel (for your sweat) and a pair of comfortable walking boots is a must. Flip-flops for sure wouldn't make it! (on my way down I saw a guy going up in slippers... Yeah good luck!) When you go up the Grouse Grind, you can always take the cable car down. But if you "climb" up the Chief Peak, be prepare it is two way with your limbs... If you have heart problem or not physically fit, I suggested you avoid this one and take an easier route. read more

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - From peak 1 - Howe Sound & Sea to sky hwy on the left - Climbing Near Me - Squamish, British Columbia

I was here with couple of friends last saturday and it's one of the most intensive hikes I've ever done. There are lots of stairs like Grouse, but there are blockades (or huge rocks I should say) at some areas. Great work out and amazing view. If you want challenging hike and gorgeous view, chief is the perfect park to go to. This hike got me scared few times, because of slidey rocks (by the peak) and narrow gaps between rocks. Having to climb up the ladder and going down is hard. Be very careful going down the ladder. My pinky finger got bruised after jumping down. The pain lasted for 3 days. I've went to 2nd peak and the view was amazing. read more

See all

Climb the chief and get some amazing views or just explore the trails around the park. An easy and must do stop along the sea to sky highway (hwy 99). read more

Myself, my husband and my two boys, 12 and 14 did this hike for the very first time and we loved it! Well worth the effort and the view from the top is breathless! The climb is steep and made up of jagged granite rock, dirt trail, tree roots and near the top are steel ladders (welded into the rock) and steel chains (to help you climb up the steep parts of sheer smooth rock face) Once at the top, we went up to Peak 1 of 3 and each point offers a different view. From peak 1 you can see Eastward and look down on the sea to sky highway, Howe Sound and We didn't hike up to the other Peaks, but we're planning to do them on our next trips out, so I can't really comment, but I'm sure the views are just as spectacular. If you like challenging hikes this is a great one to do and much more enjoyable than the Grouse Grind, although not as steep, its a great way to develop those 'buns of steel'. Great for the legs and if you go fast enough, gets your heart rate pumping too. Be sure to pack a granola bar and lots of water, comfy exercise clothes, not jeans and good hiking boots or grippy runners. I'd say this is an intermediate hike for someone who is in relatively good shape (excercises 3 or 4 times a week?) read more

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - view of Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway from Peak 1 - Climbing Near Me - Squamish, British Columbia

This is within my top 3 hikes of all time -- STRONGLY recommended: -shaded scenic trails with constant changes in terrain from rocks, boulders, steps, tree roots, chains, ladders, and some scrambling, which keeps the hike fresh the entire way. You will not be bored for sure!!! -breathtaking views of Squamish and surrounding Howe Sound area from all 3 peaks . -high intensity workout lasting half the day at a minimum if all 3 peaks are completed back to back. -close to town; even the drive to get there is beautiful! People often say that the Chief is a less intense version of the Grouse Grind, which may be true based on elevation gain alone -- 853m for the Grind vs. 702m at third peak of the Chief. Even though the Chief's elevation is not as high as the Grind, beware that the actual distance traveled one way to the third peak is actually much longer, and the cumulative effect of a long steep climb plus the hike back down will result in shaky, jelly legs once it's all over. In my opinion, the Chief is absolutely a much harder hike than the Grind overall. Words of advice if you have never hiked this: -this is NOT a stroll in the park; the trail is steep. -pack lots of water; bring snacks and/or a light lunch. -wear real hiking shoes; certainly you can do this in runners but it will be a painful experience, guaranteed. -it gets super busy when the weather is nice so get there early for the best parking. And enjoy your hike! Can't wait to go back again! read more

See all

Blustery, gusty and windy, baton-down-the-hatches style! With quads a burning, I sit here safe and sound at home after what was an epic climb to summit the Chief's first peak. Just kidding, it's not as hard as the Grind, in my humble opinion, however, it's also not for the faint of heart. With a couple of ladders, chains and sheer faced terrain, this is not for fashionable sneakers and flip flops. For the intermediate (ie. the "dudes" who were running, yes, I said running down the mountain; or the guys who were boasting of their 40 min summits) maybe all you need is a 2 hrs. But, for the beginner (ie. me, who takes breaks, enjoys the scenery while catching my breath, summits and eats a nice little lunch on top) I'd give a solid 3 hr window, plus some travel time on either side. I've now hiked to the first and second peak and can honestly say that even though it's a longer hike to the second, I prefer it. There's more trees, more ladders, more chains, but less sheer drops offs and vertical scamperings up open face rocks to deal with. And jeesh, man up bros, bring that water bottle. You don't look uncool carrying a camelback or a SIGG, you just look damned dehydrated ;p read more

See all

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park is a beautiful park right in the town of Squamish. The Stawamus Chief itself has 3 dominant peaks that can be seen from all over Squamish. Hikers and climbers both flock to the peaks of the chief each and every year. For climbers there are tons of different set routs that you can to take to scale different portions of the cliff faces on the Chief. Hikers take the back route up the mountain on a Stairmaster of rocks and roots and rocks and roots. No matter if you hike up or climb up it is a steep go and not for everyone. A decent fitness level is required to enjoy this park (like most of the best Provincial Parks in BC). There are also some other trails in this park to enjoy as well including a trail that brings you past the top of Shannon Falls (the Upper Shannon Falls trail) to a different peak that is similar to one of the peaks of the Chief. There is also a trail to the Stawamus Squaw peak. There used to be a fire lookout on this peak and there is still evidence of its existence. read more

See all

Me and my friends took the Gondola up ($35 per person) because the hike would take a whole day for us. The view is breath taking at the top. Also there is a suspension bridge as well. They have a cafe and a bar so we spent quite some time up there enjoying the views. Definitely worth the money to take the Gondola if you want to save time! read more

See all

Beautiful views rewards you at the top! Yes this is no walk in the park.. you will sweat, even cry, and question why you started in the first place. But once you reach the top its all worth it. Ive done all three peaks several times and each time I am in awe of this trail and view, always something new to discover and also many things that hasn't changed. The trail peak 1-3 is well marked, gets really busy during the weekends and nice summer days it becomes somewhat of a conga line especially sections of 2nd peak. 1st peak always seems to be busy people will aim to reach this point and turn back. Or skip it all together and go straight to 2nd and 3rd. I find the higher you go the nicer the view. I could try to describe what the view at top looks like but words cant even begin to describe it. You need to see it for yourself. Bring lots of water!! Happy trails!! read more

Pretty much YOLO'd this after a quick snack from Tim Horton's in DTVan, and thus started our ascent at 6:15am on a beautiful Sunday morning. Due to time constraints, we decided to only scale Peaks 1 and 2 and it was definitely worth the rapid elevation gain! The view from Peak 1 is absolutely breathtaking and worth the struggle(bus). My potato quality snaps from my phone's camera could never capture this in all its glory, so we spent a considerable amount of time relaxing at the top. Our early ascent meant there was only one other pair we briefly encountered at the top. Descent was easier as the chains were adjacent to spots with ample footing, while the few ladders were wide and secure. On our way to Peak 2, my fellow Derp somehow convinced me, the ultimate Derpina, to overcome her irrational fear of heights via vertical scale up a sketchy ladder (read: nailed bars) with a large DANGER sign next to it. After making it up the first set and realizing the second set was even more sketch (chain and angled, shorter bars?!), I must've left my courage at the bottom and ended up backtracking! Good effort, eh?! Thank the lawd for the two French-Canadian guys we ran into who directed us to the real path to Peak 2 (y'all the real MVP!), so on our way we went. Despite a shorter distance, the path was more tricky to navigate and needed a bit of assistance through various crevices and chains. Was the view worth it?! Absolutely, because you can see how Peak 1 looks against the scenic backdrop! Also ran into one other hiking pair here (Peak 2), and Peak 1 began to have a considerable amount of hikers at the top. Descent was trickier, along with increased foot traffic as time went on. Hiking boots are highly recommended, but we did not bring hiking poles as we didn't think they were necessary. The rapid elevation gains from the many sets of steep stairs are not for the faint of heart, so definitely be prepared! I'm still hella judging my fellow Derp who chickened out on climbing the TERRIFYING back ladder of Peak 1 (scumbag DANGER sign!) Don't pack too much, bring some snacks and watee, and don't give up! Keep reminding yourself that you're almost there and find strength in every step that brings you closer to the top :) Cheers to an amazing, yet relaxing weekend adventure to Vancouver and Squamish! read more

See all

We've hiked The Chief twice already and would love to go back. We went to the 1st peak and it was amazing. The views were breathtaking! I highly recommend hiking early because there's gonna be a lot of people going up. It's worth the drive from the lower mainland. Here's a short video I shot and edited. :) https://vimeo.com/111268333 read more

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - With my dog about to climb the ladder. - Climbing Near Me - Squamish, British Columbia

See all

Psh. Us L.A. girls hike Runyon every weekend and sometimes twice a week... WE GOT THIS. Haha oh man, were we wrong. We got our asses, AND legs, AND arms BEEEAT by Stawamus Chief. Imagine 3 L.A. girls in cute little hiking outfits with one tiny backpack/purse thingy and iPhones in hand... Wow, we were not prepared! To prepare YOU: -Backpack. Not a tiny backpack/purse thingy. A reall backpack. Your hands NEED to be free so you can climb and jump, etc. You will need both hands through various parts of the hike!!! That was probably our biggest mistake. -WATER! -Sunglasses/hat/sunblock. A lot of the trail is in the shade, but there are parts that are very sunny. -CLIF bars, some food/snacks (you'll be slightly hungry at the end). -Shoes with good grip! -Camera is a MUST! Make sure you stretch beforehand. Seriously, I am beyond sore... STILL! And it's been... 3 days. Lol. I also recommend going as early as possible. We got there on Saturday morning (Labor Day Weekend) at around 9am and it wasn't too crowded, but by the time we were coming down, it was insane. I would hate to be on this beautiful, amazing hike with tons of people in front/behind me. Park at Shannon Falls and there are signs to the entrance of "Stawamus Chief Hike". You'll also be able to enjoy views of the waterfall before heading up. I think there are three trails and we decided to do Peak 2 per a friend's recommendation. It's about a 6 mile hike roundtrip... starts off pretty easy with stairs and just little trails and bridges, but don't be fooled. About a mile into it, there will be some rock climbing. When you think you're almost there, you're probably not even close. Some parts where you'll have to grab on to metal chains attached to the rocks to pull your body up, random ladders, huge steps, intense hiking... It's a tough one!!! But at the end of it all, with one glance at the view... everything made sense. The feeling is overwhelming. You are surrounded by nothing but nature's beauty. Water, mountains, trees... I didn't want to leave. Definitely something I would love to do again. read more

See all

Often compared to a longer, but slightly less intense version of the Grouse Grind - a big difference is that you have to hike back down to the bottom because there's no luxury of gondolas at the top to bring you back down from any of the three peaks. I'm not really a super outdoorsy person, but hiking appealed to me because it is a free activity with minimal skill level required! I went in the afternoon to avoid the mid-day sun. For the most part, the hike is in the shade, underneath the canopy of tall forest trees. The hike up took me about an hour and a half. The trail is well-defined, some parts had wooden stairs, other parts had crooked rocky steps. On occasion, you'll have to put your hands on the rock to make small climbs up. Towards the last 15 minutes of the hike up, I was surprised at how steep and rocky the trail became. It was definitely a change of pace from the walk through dirt because now you're climbing boulders on your hands and feet. To get up to the first peak, you also have to climb up two metal ladders, as well as steady yourself using heavy-duty chains which are cemented into the rock. If you're ever uncertain about where to climb next, use your hands to steady yourself and stay low to keep balanced. You may want to wear a pair of cheapo gloves if you don't want to scratch your hands. Once you're at the rocky part, you know you've almost made it to the top! If you're lucky enough to plan your hike for a sunny day, at the top of the peak, it's nice to just lay out and relax at the top and enjoy the beautiful view. I've heard of people bringing up snacks and having a picnic at the top. As for the hike back down, the rocky part is the hardest. Sometimes it's easier to go backwards and climb down the boulders, rather than facing downhill. Once you get back onto the dirt/forest trails, the rest of the hike is easy, compared to what you just went through. My knees felt a bit like jelly towards the bottom but it's normal! read more

Unless you're an experienced rock climber or super avid hiker, climbing Stawamus Chief will probably be one of the most memorable things you do all year--at least it was for me and my gfs. A gorgeous 45 min drive to get to the Chief from Vancouver, takes you to the start of your hike at Shannon Falls for impressive views of the waterfall, and then the next couple hours of your life will be full of adventures up 655M of nature's stair-master, complete with passages through the forest, ladders, chains, chipmunks, and phenomenal views from the top. We got soooo lucky with the weather this past weekend and I cannot say enough how much fun this hike was despite the burn in my legs (still) 4 days later; it was so worth it. Once you get to the top with views of the Howe Sound, and surrounding snow capped mountains, you'll never ever want to leave. Don't be a newb like us LA girls - be sure to bring a backpack since you'll definitely need both hands during parts of the hike to climb up the rocks/chains/ladders, bring plenty of water and a snack, follow the markers, and don't be afraid to camera-whore it up while at the top. S O G O R G E O U S. We climbed peak 2 (center) and I cannot wait to go back to do the others one day. read more

I've never done the Grouse Grind, but I'm going to pretend I know what I'm talking about and say that the Stawamus Chief is far superior. Located off of highway 99 just south of Squamish, Stawamus Chief Park is a mecca for rock climbers who tackle the 700 meter granite cliff face. There's a campground here, tent camping only & no fires - must be for hardcore rock climbers only! I'm not a rock climber; the park also features trails that you can death march, I mean hike, to the Chief's three summits. The climb is rather painful, but at the top you are rewarded with sweeping views of Howe Sound and adorable alpine chipmunks that will run right up your legs and eat out of your hand. Bring some beer and a picnic (raw nuts for the chipmunks) and relax on the granite summit until you can gather the energy to (my favorite part) race back down. read more

How can you not like sweating your face off as you scramble and hike to the top of a bald rock face and look over Squamish. This is literally "Sea to Sky." The trail is not well maintained, so make sure to bring LOTS of water (at least one liter per person), and good hiking shoes. There are a lot of tree roots and rocks to stumble/scramble over. Also, I recommend eating a combination of apples and cheddar cheese.... so good if you're not vegan. The hike is in the shade for the most part, and lots of places to stop and grab lunch or water. I avoid weekends because there are so many tourists. I also think it's worth parking in the rock climber's parking lot (just a kilometer north of the main parking lot) since that doesn't get as full as quickly. And you get a little one kilometer hike to help warm up/cool down you legs. HIGHLY recommended... especially the drive to/from the Chief. With a sports car, it's amazing for the drive, if not the passenger. read more

Just driving up the 99 to get to the Chief is pretty amazing in and of itself. But imagine climbing up nearly 700m to get a 360 degree view of mountains, trees, and the (tiny) town of Squamish below you. That's what awaits you after a moderate 1.5 hr climb. Beware of the sign that greets visitors near the trailhead: "This is NOT a walk in the park". Too many times have I seen people hit this trail completely unprepared whether it is bad/inappropriate gear, no water, no food. Be prepared and you won't have a horrible hiking experience! Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and dress for the weather. That's it! A couple tips: Pro tip #1: Consider parking at Shannon Falls. There is a route entrance here that hooks up to the Chief trailhead. It allows you to by-pass some of the initial traffic at the regular entrance and you have access to a larger parking lot. Pro tip #2: Bring poles if you can. Coming back down the Chief is pretty harsh on your legs and knees. Poles will lessen the impact a bit. Pro tip #3 - Use the helipad as a gathering point if you're with a group of varying hiking abilities. It's open and in the clear so you shouldn't have trouble identifying it when you roll up on it. It beats trying to find people randomly on your way up to whatever peak you're aiming for. On a sunny day, it's also a great tanning spot. read more

Warning, non-local, post-back from a hike about a month ago... The Stawamus Chief is an impressive granite rock face popular with climbers and hikers and is located right off of Highway Number 1 on the way from Vancouver to Whistler in the BBC (Beautiful British Columbia, Canada). Pre-hike thoughts Driving up to the Chief, I thought to myself, "This is an impressive piece of rock!" I commented to my partner in crime that it looked like a bald eagle's head with its beak facing west. She looked at me puzzled in a sort of what-are-you-talking-about way and kept on driving :P The other thing that the chief reminded me of was a similarly impressive and unique piece of rock sitting in the waters of Morro Bay, located off the Central California coastline. We drove by it on our quintessential Cali road trip down Highway 1 from San Francisco through Big Sur and the Central Valley down to the OC. This was a delightful trip that is consistently ranked as a top road trip for people to do. Post-hike thoughts The hike was harder than I thought it would be... and not necessarily due to the Chief itself! We hiked up the backside (the face is pure vert, and you'd have to be either a seasoned climber or insane), and the terrain could be steep and required some agility to maneuver large rock, root and tree formations. Appropriately, the trailhead sign warned, "This is NOT a walk in the park." The real reason though that I found the hike challenging was because of my partner's maniacal pace. Hiking the Chief is like ALL of our hikes or fitness runs. She has the amazing ability to start off fast... and sustain it. I, on the other hand, am like an aging automobile caught in a blistery Chicago winter. You need to warm me up before I can perform. So I was pretty much tired 10 minutes into it! The Chief has three peaks. My partner had already done the first during a previous excursion, so we charged to the second. Interestingly the terrain changes as you ascend, with the bottom third being quite rocky requiring very amateur rock climbing ability, the second third was magical forest, and the last third felt like we had landed on top of the moon or some volcanic summit. It was awesome. We made it up in probably less than an hour, and it was stupendous. For one, I got a workout and a well deserved, delicious, healthy picnic at the top (bring your own picnic btw), and we dined to magnificent views of Squamish, the sound, and heavenly blue skies (only available during summer months apparently). I give the Chief a solid "Recommend." Take it at your own pace, bring water, food or snacks. While I wouldn't drag my parents up there (although there were much older seniors up there with walking sticks), the Chief is a great adventure for pretty much everyone. read more

Located about an hour outside of vancouver on the way to Whistler right next to the highway, the Chief is a trail that wraps around a huge rock next to where the squamish river feeds into the bay. There are 3 peaks on the trail. I went up to the first peak which took about 1.5 hours. The trail involves steep steps, climbing a few ladders, and a bit of simple rock climbing towards the end. The trail is hard but not as difficult or intense as the grind. I'd also say the view is even more gorgeous than at the top of the grind. At the top, you can view the town of Squamish, Whistler in the distance, the river below you and the towering mountains surrounding you. There is shade throughout the entire trail and on a sunny day, it's so relaxing climbing up the chief and eating lunch at the very top, soaking in the view. It's one of those hikes that convinces that Canada has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. Bring a good pair of hiking shoes and check it out. read more

This is why they call BC the most beautiful place in the world. There is so much to choose from! This is one of my favorite intermidate hikes. I only have good memories from this place. If you've been dreaming of going rock climbing without experience or gear then this is the closet you're gonna get! Complete with huge natural rocks and chain along the way this is a out of breath but feel good climb. Great hike but not as difficult as the Grouse Grind. There is a huge sign, parking and a hiking trail map as soon as you come off the highway. Plus you can get reception for your cellphone even at the top! read more

Not as difficult as I was led to believe, and anyone in an average state of readiness should be able to make the middle summit in under an hour. When I say "average" I do not mean some city-dwelling, gormless office worker whose chief claim to physical activity is the occasional stroll around Granville Island. No, I mean anyone who runs several times per week (vigourously) would not find the Chief a significant hurdle. Wonderful views from the top, but, alas, one pays for the view by having to endure heaving masses of people on the trail, most of whom haven't the God-given sense to step out of the way when others want to pass. More of that delightful churlishness/emotional immaturity/passive aggressiveness of Vancouverites on display. The Chief has been so heavily used that area surrounding the trial has been beaten into oblivion. As the season progresses, the area is soon a welter of garbage, and none-too-discrete piss tissues. I consider the Chief to be a good introduction to West Coast hiking; however, as far as difficulty goes, it's all uphill from the Chief. I particularly endorse the Chief for the masses: it acts like an idiot sump, keeping all the pristine areas untrammelled. read more

A nice day workout, it got much safer,cleaner and quicker in the last few years with the addition of the stairs at the beginning.Going on a dry day might avoid some scares at the end on the bare rock.Doing the three summits adds some salt to the day. read more

See all

Definitely the most advanced hiking I've done. Love it! This hike doesn't mess around. I would suggest you take the big boulder filter right at the beginning of the trail seriously. As in, if you have a really hard time climbing over those rocks, maybe consider not checking this one out. Like the BIG sign says, "This is not a walk in the park!" (and I really wish that all the random people who I saw attempting this completely unprepared last time I did it had paid attention to that little note). The first bit is all big steep stairs which tends to leave me questioning my sanity. But, there are lots of rest points, and it does get better! Once you get past that first climb there is a lot of interesting and varied terrain to scamper over and I found that about a third of the way up I really found my stride. And there's something oh so satisfying about getting over the more challenging bits. Plus the reward at the end! Oh my! Last time we went we were completely in a cloud and rather than the famous (spectacular) view of Howe Sound we could only see the second peak peeking back at us. Surreal and super cool. Plus, the cutest chipmunks you ever did see like to hang out up there making big eyes at your trail mix. If you've got bad knees, do be very careful with them on the way back down as it's quite tough on the legs. And I would definitely recommend hitting this hike up as early in the day as you can - the closer you get to the afternoon the more crowded (and therefore annoying) it gets. There's nothing quite like needing to take your time to make sure you don't misstep while you've got a herd of people right behind you and another herd coming up the other direction. But in the morning? Aahhh, so nice. read more

Climbing the Chief is a great experience and is a must do for anyone who loves hiking. Once you get past all the stairs, chains and ladders, the view at the top is amazing, especially on a clear day. Peak 3 has the highest elevation but it's furthest away from the water so the views aren't as awesome, but still nice. To be really wowed, Peaks 1 or 2 will do the trick. And if you don't want to descend down the crazy chains you can go down the route of the 3rd Peak, which isn't as steep but still isn't a walk in the park. What are you waiting for? GO NOW. read more

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - Peak 1 (from Peak 2) overlooking the Sea-to-Sky Hwy. - Climbing Near Me - Squamish, British Columbia

See all

I hiked the second and third peaks in early August. It was my first time on this trail, and I like it a lot ! As the elevation gain is only 600 meters ( comparing to the 853 meters elevation gain at The Grouse Grind), going up the Chief is not as challenging as doing the Grouse Grind. The last quarter of the second peak hike requires the use of chains and ladders. This is the fun part! The view on the second peak is SPECTACULAR!!! I spent 30 minutes enjoyed my lunch and the great view up there before heading to the third peak. Then I rested for another 10 minutes on the third peak. Later, I realized that the rest on the peaks was very necessary because hiking down took me a lot more effort. My knees started shaking at the last 20 minutes of the downhill hike. I managed to finish the hike within 6 hours ( including water and lunch breaks), and went back to my car with tiring legs. Some notes for people who plan to hike the Chief: 1. A pair of hiking shoes and gloves with good grip (for chain/ladder and big rocks) will be very helpful 2. Most of the hike is in the shade, but the peak areas are quite barren, with limited shaded spots. Wear hat and sunscreen for the peaks 3. The short-cut between peaks 1 and 2 is quite challenging. There are many narrow and high ladders. If you are afraid of heights or a rookie hiker, think again before doing it. Even my friends who are experienced hikers rated this part strenuous. read more

Good hike, somewhat challenging but amazing views at the end of it all. We decided to hit the third peak first and then over to the second peak. Took about and hour and a bit to get to third peak and then 10 mins over to second. Descending was definitely more difficult than the ascent. A great day trip from Vancouver since Squamish is about 45 out from the city and depending what time you return, you could be in the middle of rush hour so plan accordingly. Bring food and stay hydrated. read more

Climbing the Chief is a great experience! Having done the Grouse Grind several times within the past year, by boyfriend and I were ready to try something new. I was jealous of everyone else's pictures of the peak and feeding chipmunks! I made a huge mistake before starting and ate a Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich about 10 minutes before starting, which caused me a lot of pain and necessity for breaks for the first half of the climb. Thank god for endorphins! I felt really bad for the guy I saw as we were leaving and he was just arriving, chugging a 4L jug of chocolate milk. Do you have a death wish?? We skipped the first peak and went straight for the second and then the third. I'm short, with short legs, so my advice would be to wear long clothing. I had to use a lot of my upper body to pull myself up certain rocks, and I scrapped my arms. I like this hike better than the Grouse Grind, because there is more variety during the climb, and the climb down is a lot of fun! We climbed down the trail other than the main trail (I don't know what it's called), and really enjoyed it. I have to say that this is okay for older kids, as we saw a lot of families and I think somehow kids don't feel the pain! read more

What an amazing treat awaiting for you at the top :) i love it! JUST DO IT & you will never regret it. They have free parking at the bottom. The Chief has three peaks. I strongly recommend it for those who love hiking :) read more

See all

Oh yeah summer fun! Over BC Day, there must have been hundreds of hikers on the Chief. We had to wait in line, pass people and give way just to get to the top. But the minute you get there, it's all worth it. The endless view is scenic and relaxing. Definitely a do, and it isn't as hard as the Grouse Grind. read more

Great scenery. The 1.5 hours of stair stepper (read, big stairs!) that lead up to a dodgy, slick, chained summit are definitely worth it. We went up second peak about 3/20 and were wearing hiking boots. Bring a warm jacket for the summit, as well as waterproof gloves if you plan to summit and use the chains. Trust me you probably will unless you're going in summer. Be cautious about bringing kids on this climb. There's a kind of crevasse at the top where we were stepping on melting snow and wet rock and wet tree roots, so the chains are necessary. There is also a ladder. From the 2nd peak trail there is also a rebar ladder to go up the first peak. Don't use it! Just go the easy way. Climbing here looks impressive in good weather. We didn't have trouble parking. There are 2 picnic tables in the parking lot, a portable toilet, and about 6-8 camp sites in terms of amenities. COOL ROCK!!! Also, good free fun :) The drive from Vancouver is about 1 hour. Stop at Galileo Coffee on the way. read more