Cheakamus River
Cheakamus River
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
58 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Eileen H
Vancouver, Canada8 contributions
Aug 2021
Park in the ample parking just down the road. Walk up the sidewalk divided by the yellow line to the logging road. There are four posts fifty feet up. Choose the Cheakamus river walk, a winding 1 and 1/2+ hour trai (each way) to the gorgeous suspension bridge. The river’s fury and glacial colour and forest’s perfection are your reasons for going. Return by the other side of the river or go on to the lake (get details in advance).
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeliMag
Akershus, Norway249 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I took my parents on this hike who are in their 60s and not use to hiking. This was a great hike for them because there is little elevation change, but a great view at the end. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the west end of the lake. You can either turn around them or continue depending on your group which makes it great for all ages. Also there are lots of pit toilets (very nice for outhouses) along the way.
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AESRichmond
Richmond, Canada36 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
A great 1.5 hours hike from the parking lot at the corner of Sea to Sky Hwy along the river. You can keep going, but the view of the river was great and there is ample opportunity to get down to the banks and take photos of the winding river. Magnificent views
Written September 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bottomshelfhockey
Richmond, Canada8,970 contributions
Aug 2019
This particular hike is located in the Whistler Interpretive Forest.
From the Village Gate Boulevard intersection at Whistler Village, it is approximately 8 kilometres south (back towards Vancouver). Immediately after turning left at the Function Junction intersection (“major” intersection with traffic lights) onto Cheakamus Lake Road, there is a parking lot to your left. On this Monday morning the parking lot was busy but not full.
From this parking lot it is about a 400 meter walk to the Riverside trail head.
You’re close to the trail head when you see a small single lane bridge decorated with yarn wrapped around its steel braces.
After entering the trail head and a short hike you will come out at a non-descript open area that acts as a parking lot. There is a large information board here but the there wasn’t much information on the board about the trails and the map was faded.
It’s after this parking lot and Riverside trail junction there is maybe for about 500 meters, a series of uphill switchbacks on the trail. From this parking lot and about 1 kilometre farther on you will see the suspension bridge. Cross over the suspension bridge, turn left onto the Farside Trail to get back to the Riverside trail head.
These trails are in the forest running beside the Cheakamus River, so you will be in the shade. The Riverside Trail was undulating with mostly compact dirt and the Riverside trail was less uneven and if I recall, mostly “smooth”.
The total Riverside – Farside loop is about 5 kilometres. I would rate the difficulty of the hike as 3 out of 10 with 10 being the hardest. Our group of 6 are fairly fit so did not have any problems with the hike.
I give the overall trail experience, a 3.5 out 5 rating, above average.
Notes and tips
• Runners and bikers also use this trail
• Bring water and snacks
• Parking lot holds more than 20 vehicles and there is an outhouse.
• We were there in late August and had no problem with insects
• For additional info, have a look at various websites on this hike. You can get some info from the various trail apps such as “Vancouver Trails”.
Due to TripAdvisor’s policies I cannot provide the URL for the BC forestry department website and a link to a map. Go to the BC dot gov website and search for Whistler Interpretative Forest and map.
• We are older hikers and normally use hiking poles but didn’t have to use them for this hike
• At a minimum, a good pair of runner is recommended
• In the Whistler Interpretive Forest, there are other trails. In close proximity are the Crater Rim Trail and the Train Wreck Trail with its painted murals on boxcars. At the second parking lot mentioned above (by the Riverside trail) you have access to the Ridge Trail that eventually meets up with the Crater Rim trail or your other option is to hike a farther 1.6 kilometres on the Riverside trail, past the suspension bridge to the next parking lot with the Logger’s Lake trail entrance across the road. See my review of the Crater Rim Trail.
From the Village Gate Boulevard intersection at Whistler Village, it is approximately 8 kilometres south (back towards Vancouver). Immediately after turning left at the Function Junction intersection (“major” intersection with traffic lights) onto Cheakamus Lake Road, there is a parking lot to your left. On this Monday morning the parking lot was busy but not full.
From this parking lot it is about a 400 meter walk to the Riverside trail head.
You’re close to the trail head when you see a small single lane bridge decorated with yarn wrapped around its steel braces.
After entering the trail head and a short hike you will come out at a non-descript open area that acts as a parking lot. There is a large information board here but the there wasn’t much information on the board about the trails and the map was faded.
It’s after this parking lot and Riverside trail junction there is maybe for about 500 meters, a series of uphill switchbacks on the trail. From this parking lot and about 1 kilometre farther on you will see the suspension bridge. Cross over the suspension bridge, turn left onto the Farside Trail to get back to the Riverside trail head.
These trails are in the forest running beside the Cheakamus River, so you will be in the shade. The Riverside Trail was undulating with mostly compact dirt and the Riverside trail was less uneven and if I recall, mostly “smooth”.
The total Riverside – Farside loop is about 5 kilometres. I would rate the difficulty of the hike as 3 out of 10 with 10 being the hardest. Our group of 6 are fairly fit so did not have any problems with the hike.
I give the overall trail experience, a 3.5 out 5 rating, above average.
Notes and tips
• Runners and bikers also use this trail
• Bring water and snacks
• Parking lot holds more than 20 vehicles and there is an outhouse.
• We were there in late August and had no problem with insects
• For additional info, have a look at various websites on this hike. You can get some info from the various trail apps such as “Vancouver Trails”.
Due to TripAdvisor’s policies I cannot provide the URL for the BC forestry department website and a link to a map. Go to the BC dot gov website and search for Whistler Interpretative Forest and map.
• We are older hikers and normally use hiking poles but didn’t have to use them for this hike
• At a minimum, a good pair of runner is recommended
• In the Whistler Interpretive Forest, there are other trails. In close proximity are the Crater Rim Trail and the Train Wreck Trail with its painted murals on boxcars. At the second parking lot mentioned above (by the Riverside trail) you have access to the Ridge Trail that eventually meets up with the Crater Rim trail or your other option is to hike a farther 1.6 kilometres on the Riverside trail, past the suspension bridge to the next parking lot with the Logger’s Lake trail entrance across the road. See my review of the Crater Rim Trail.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan D
Doha, Qatar27 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We hiked 7 km up one side and back down the other side of the Cheakamus. Good work out but not a difficult walk. The suspension bridge is structurally sound but those scared of heights (like me) will find it unnerving
Written August 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor🏝
Kelowna, Canada770 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Bungee jumped over this beautiful blue turquoise river. Absolutely gorgeous and natural. Can be dangerous with fast currents.
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vacamy
Keller, TX1 contribution
Jul 2015 • Family
FABULOUS!!! This was a fantastic family rafting experience. Wedge rafting was awesome and the guides "Fatty" and "Hazard" we're terrific. So worth the money and the river is beautiful. One of the best things we while in Vancouver.
Written July 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce H
Brisbane, Australia1,531 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Relaxing yet invigorating is how I would describe this wonderful place as Mother-nature takes you into her arms. A wonderful and amazing experience.
Written June 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TnJAdvents
Winnipeg685 contributions
Nov 2022
Awesome trail along the Cheakamus River. We enjoyed the trail as we admired with pristine wilderness. The trail follows the river and but has some elevation gain and in November there was a lot of very icy and steep ascents/descents. Bring crampons if you've got. Lots of great areas to rest an enjoy the stunning scenery. The trail crossed the river at the suspension bridge and then returns to the trailhead but before you cross the trail continues and connects to a network of trails. Enjoy the hiking!!!
Written July 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomkreider
Cranberry Township, PA80 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A very nice trail along the Cheakamus River with a suspension bridge at the midpoint of a 3.5 mile hike. Some good hills, beautiful forest, and the river was spectacular raging down the mountains!! Also used by mountain bikers.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Cheakamus River Information
Excellent Reviews | 46 |
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Very Good Reviews | 9 |
Cheakamus River Photos | 47 |