Upper Shannon Falls RatingThe wonderful Upper Shannon Falls trail, also called the Sea to Summit trail, branches off from the chaotically popular Stawamus Chief trail.  About 15 minutes along the Stawamus Chief trail you will see a well marked trail branch off to the right into the forest.  This is the Upper Shannon Falls trail and is remarkably unused.  This is a wonderful fact though as hundreds hike The Chief on any given weekend day, though only a handful hike this trail.

  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProStart at beautiful Shannon Falls
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProRelatively quiet trail
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProAmazing How Sound views
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProTrail continues to Summit Lodge
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProLikely have the place to yourself
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProFree access for Sea to Sky Gondola
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProSerene alternative to The Chief
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ConFalls not terribly impressive
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ConTrail is not as fun as The Chief
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ConPasses under Sea to Sky Gondola

Sea to Sky Hiking Trails

Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerAlice Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyAncient Cedars  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerBlackcomb Mountain  Hiking Trail ModerateBlack Tusk  Squamish Hiking TrailBrandywine Falls  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrandywine Meadows  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyBrew Lake  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerCallaghan Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerCheakamus Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyCheakamus River  Hiking Trail HardCirque Lake  Hiking Trail ModerateElfin Lakes  Hiking Trail ModerateGaribaldi Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerGaribaldi Park  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerHelm Creek  Hiking Trail HardHigh Falls  Joffre Lakes Hike Provincial ParkJoffre Lakes  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyKeyhole Hot Springs  Squamish Hiking TrailLevette Lake  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  Hiking Trail ModeratePanorama Ridge  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerParkhurst Ghost Town   Hiking Trail ModerateRainbow Falls  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRainbow Lake  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyRing Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRusset Lake  Pay Use Hiking TrailSea to Sky Gondola  Whistler Hiking Trail EasySea to Sky Trail  Squamish Hiking TrailShannon Falls  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSkookumchuck Hot Springs  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSloquet Hot Springs  Hiking Trail HardSproatt East  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerSproatt West  Hiking Trail HardStawamus Chief  Hiking Trail ModerateTaylor Meadows  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyThe Lions  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyTrain Wreck  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyUpper Shannon Falls  Hiking Trail Hard - Whistler TrailsWedgemount Lake  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerWhistler Mountain

The Upper Shannon Falls trail, the Stawamus Chief trail and Shannon Falls are all connected by trails.  In order to see all three you should park in the Shannon Falls parking lot and hike up to the Shannon Falls viewpoint just a short 5 minute walk from the parking lot, then proceed from there to connect with the Stawamus Chief trail, about 15 minutes further up the trail.  Once you connect with the Stawamus Chief trail you will see clear signs directing you to either the Upper Shannon Falls trail, or to continue on the main trail to one or all of The Chief's 1st Peak trail, 2nd Peak trail, 3rd Peak trail.  If you plan on hiking both the Upper Shannon Falls trail and one or all of The Chief peaks, be prepared for an arduous day as the distance is not very much, but the continuous elevation gain will be hard.  But as long as you are in for a good workout.. as many do.. Doing both The Chief and the Upper Shannon Falls trails in the same day is amazing!  The views are not quite as dramatic at the top of the Upper Shannon Falls trail and the distance a bit farther than The Chief's first peak, but the views are still amazing.  The hike through the forest is very beautiful as it winds through massive trees and over cute streams and at one point through a wonderful fissure in the mountain.  If you are looking to get away from the crowds Upper Shannon Falls is the place.

Upper Shannon Falls Trail in Squamish

The beginning of the Upper Shannon Falls hike greets you with the breathtaking 335 metre Shannon Falls.  This crashing monster freezes you with spray as you pass close enough to feel its pounding force.  Starting at the Shannon Falls trailhead is almost always the better option than starting at the nearby Stawamus Chief trailhead.  The exception would be if you plan on camping at the large and well designed forest campsites at the start of the Stawamus Chief trailhead.  The two trailheads, Shannon Falls and Stawamus Chief are quite close, only about 1.5k apart.  The Stawamus Chief trailhead has the campsites (63 tent sites at $8/person, free in the winter) and the Shannon Falls trailhead has the washrooms and concession stand.  Both have large parking lots.

The Upper Shannon Falls trail is generally easy and only 3.5k from the Shannon Falls trailhead to the end of the Upper Shannon Falls trail and plateau viewpoints.  It is however constantly uphill as you do gain 450 metres in that short distance.  There are a couple chain pulls along the trail, though they are only added as a convenience and added safety precaution on a couple narrow parts of the trail.  The real attraction of the Upper Shannon Falls trail is actually not the upper falls, but rather the beautiful hilltop and rock outcrops at the end of the trail.  They give you tremendous views all around.  From Squamish to distant mountains to Howe Sound.  There is a considerable forested area to explore and so large as to likely never bump into anyone if you plan on relaxing with a mountain top picnic or glass of wine.

Shannon Falls Trail

Shannon Falls

Connector Trail to Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Connector Trail to Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Connector Trail to Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Trail

Upper Shannon Falls Howe Sound View

Upper Shannon Falls Trail Map

Upper Shannon Falls Trail Map

Getting to Upper Shannon Falls

Flat Paved Road - Squamish Hiking Trails

The Upper Shannon Falls trail extends from the Stawamus Chief trail so you can start at either trailhead/parking lot.  The trailhead parking for both the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Shannon Falls Provincial Park are very well signed from Highway 99.  From Cleveland Avenue and Highway 99 in Squamish(McDonalds is on this corner), drive south for about 2 minutes and watch for signs on your left.  Both parking lots are are close to each other but the Shannon Falls trailhead is usually the better choice as you can see the beautiful Shannon Falls, then connect to The Chief trail partway up, then branch off to the Upper Shannon Falls trail from The Chief trail.   The trail is very well marked.  You will likely take about 15 minutes on the Shannon Falls trail, then about 20 minutes from there hiking toward and connecting on The Chief trail before reaching the branching trail to the Upper Shannon Falls trail.  If you are planning to camp overnight then The Chief trailhead is better to park as that is where the campsites are.

Driving to Shannon Falls Provincial Park

Explore Squamish Hiking Trails!

Black Tusk is the extraordinarily iconic and appropriately named mountain that can be seen from countless vantage points around Whistler.  The massive black spire of crumbling rock juts out of the earth in an ...
Read more
Stawamus Chief is the mammoth rock face that towers over Squamish. Though hardly believable from looking at, the summit is a fairly easy, though very steep hike. In fact there are three peaks, South (First), ...
Read more

We Deliver to Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Park)

Explore Whistler Hiking Trails!

Sloquet Hot Springs is a wonderfully wild set of shallow, man-made pools fed by a small, all natural, and very hot, waterfall. The pools stretch from the waterfall to the large and crashing Sloquet River. ...
Read more
Meager Hot Springs(aka: Meager Creek Hot Springs) is located 93 kilometres northwest of Whistler, was beautifully developed into gorgeous pools, with a caretaker and usage charge.  At its height of ...
Read more
The alpine hiking trails on Whistler Mountain are the ultimate in luxurious hiking. Little hiking effort gets you amazing views of turquoise lakes, snowy mountain, valleys of flowers, waterfalls and ...
Read more
Callaghan Lake Provincial Park is a relatively untouched wilderness of rugged mountainous terrain. The valley walls were formed by relatively recent glaciation. Evidence of this can be seen in the ...
Read more

Best Hiking Trails Garibaldi Park

Explore BC Hiking Trails!

Whistler Hiking Trails

Whistler is an amazing place to hike. Looking at a map of Whistler you see an extraordinary spider web of hiking trails. Easy trails, moderate trails and challenging hiking trails are all available. Another marvellous thing about Whistler is that Garibaldi Provincial ...
Read more

Squamish Hiking Trails

Squamish sits in the midst of some amazing places to hike. Garibaldi Park sprawls from Squamish up and beyond Whistler. Tantalus Provincial Park lays across the valley to the west and the beautiful and desolate, by comparison, Callaghan Valley to the north. Add to ...
Read more

Victoria Hiking Trails

Victoria has a seemingly endless number of amazing hiking trails.  Most take you to wild and beautiful Pacific Ocean views and others take you to tranquil lakes in beautiful BC Coastal Rainforest wilderness.  Regional Parks and Provincial Parks are everywhere you turn ...
Read more

The West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail was created after decades of brutal and costly shipwrecks occurred along the West Coast of Vancouver Island.  One shipwreck in particular was so horrific, tragic and unbelievable that it forced the creation of a trail along the coast, which ...
Read more