I’m in the West Chilcotin area of British Columbia – an area not many have visited or even know about. Within this area lies Tweedsmuir Provincial Park – home to the Rainbow Range Trail and a hike that’s just about as close to hiking nirvana as you’re going to get.
I’d call the Rainbow Range hike in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park one of the best one day hikes of my life. And that’s saying something considering how many I’ve done over the years.
Looking southwest towards the Coast Mountains
I can only describe the hike in superlative terms and hope my photos give you some sense of just how awesome it really was.
I first heard about the Rainbow Range after reading British Columbia’s Magazine 50th anniversary issue in 2009 – Top 50 things to do in BC Before You Die. The photo of the Rainbow Range captured my imagination then and I’d have to say that the area’s beauty exceeded my expectations.
The Hike into the Rainbow Range
You spend the first 45 minutes of the hike walking through an old burn that occurred in 2009. I actually think it’s made this section of the trail very beautiful. Wild flowers have proliferated so there are now great swaths of pink fireweed, yellow arnica and a white flower I’m not familiar with. And they’re all set off against a black background so there’s a lot of drama.
Burnt dead trees against a deep blue sky
Fireweed en masse
Juxtaposition of dead and living
Once you’re through the burn then it’s only about 15 more minutes of walking to reach the high alpine and the start of a series of outstanding mountain views. Interestingly horses are allowed on the trail but in no time we lost sight of them in the expanse of the wilderness.
Horses used to resupply a camp further up in the Rainbow Range
Alpine lake and mountain views
Lupins lining the trail
Ninety minutes of hiking provides you with jaw dropping views of the so called Rainbow Mountains as you look ahead; if your turn around you get equally stunning views of the Coast Mountains. Throw in an abundance of wildflower filled meadows and numerous small lakes and tarns with deep blue water and you can understand why I was in hiking heaven. And there wasn’t any evidence of bear scat which made me very happy.
The Rainbow Mountains
Great view of the mountains
John walking through reams of wildflowers
Masses of multi coloured wildflowers
The colourful Rainbow Range
What you need to know before you hike in the Rainbow Range
- This is truly an off the beaten path hike. You may not see another soul so be prepared to be self sufficient in an emergency.
- The hike is accessed off of Highway 20 shortly after entering Tweedsmuir Provincial Park if you’re driving west. Signage is good. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Anahim Lake.
- The hike is eight kilometres one way though once you’re in the vicinity of the Rainbow Range you could hike for days.
- The vertical gain is approximately 300 metres – quite civilized to get a hike of this quality. The gain is greater if you continue past the last of the cairns.
- Camping is possible with obvious campsites situated by a small lake on the trail with a bear proof box provided for your food.
- The trail is very well marked with cairns.
- This is black and grizzly bear country. Bring bear spray and read my tips on how to stay safe in bear country.
- Allow at least five hours so you have time to sit and ponder the beauty of the place over your lunch.
Had you ever heard of the Rainbow Range hike in Tweesdmuir Provincial Park??
Other posts from the trip to this region you might like:
- 20 Things to Do Along Highway 20 in British Columbia
- A Stay at Atnarko Retreat on Charlotte Lake in the Chilcotin
- Gobsmacked by the Rainbow Range in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Leigh McAdam
Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures
HikeBikeTravel
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Beautiful photos, and a lovely hike. I must absolutely visit Canada.
The best hike I did? Difficult question, although probably one of my favorite is in Val Ferret. The walk is easy and the view on the glaciers and the Mont-Blanc superb. (if you want to have a look… :-) http://www.wild-about-travel.com/2009/06/courmayeur-hiking-montblanc/)
@Simon THe Val Ferret is one I definitely would like to do. I’d like to spend at least a week hiking in the Dolomites.
What a gorgeous hike! I love the abundance of wildflowers here, the lakes the mountains. It amazes me how you find the most beautiful places for these one day hikes. I’m not sure about the bears though. I think I need to go to Western Canada to find my beautiful hikes.
@Mary This hike was a total treat from start to finish. If you hike in a group of four or more bears won’t be a problem.
It’s kind of hard to imagine, but Canada really has some beautiful wide open spaces.
@Mette Canada has wide open spaces on the grand scale!
Wonderful how Mother Nature turns the burn areas so beautiful with flowers. Lots of jaw-dropping scenery indeed on your hike, Leigh. I’ve only seen a small portion of British Columbia. Thanks for introducing me to so many treasures in the province like the Rainbow Range Trail.
@Cathy It was a hike where I actually felt excited about what I was going to see around the next corner.
British Columbia? I like these flowers!
The flowers were over the top beautiful!! And plentiful.
Nice article Leigh!
We’re a wilderness lodge located in Tweedsmuir Park, so your post is of particular interest to us. In fact, I’ve linked to it from our Facebook page!
Do you mind if I make a blog post of it, giving you full credit and links back to this page?
Cheers
Tim
tim@bellacoolahelisports.com
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge / Bella Coola Heli Sports
@Tim Happy to have you help with promoting this post and very appreciative!
I will definitely have to hike in this area, it looks right up my alley. I live in Seattle so it’s not too far of a trip.
Picking a favorite hike would be impossible for me, I have been on so many amazing ones. The Needles district of Canyonlands NP, Utah, Green Lakes, Central Cascades, Oregon, almost all the trails in Olympic National Park, Washington state… and so many more. I keep getting more favorites every year.
@Krista I highly recommend the hike but it’s harder to get to then most.You have done some awesome ones too. I have yet to do a single one in the Olympics. But I love having a long list to put on my hiking bucket list.
I visited BC just for about a week a few years ago and didn’t have enough time to take any of the beautiful hikes. I would love to return for some camping and hiking, and this Rainbow Range hike looks gorgeous. The combination of lakes, mountains and flowers is perfect, and your photos are amazing too! The most beautiful hike I’ve ever done was in Torres del Paine, Chile.
@Mark Thanks fr stopping by. Hiking in Torres del Paine is on my list to do sometime in the next 2 years. The Rainbow Range is well worth doing even if it takes a bit to get there.
Fantastic post and of course the photos are stunning! And now I am heading off to Tim’s site to check out his resort and put both hike and resort in the Chilcotin file. Thanks for another great tip, Leigh.
@Jackie I will have a few more posts about the area in the next few weeks with additional suggestions on where to stay.
Another great post highlighting the beauty of British Columbia! Sometimes you just have to get off the beaten track to witness all this gorgeous scenery. These types of rewards make the hiking worth it!
@Debbie I have felt off the beaten track for most of the last two weeks. The feeling kind of grows on you.
Wow….I mean really what else do you say to that? Those pictures are so incredible…simply an amazing day.
Hiking heaven is right OMG! Gotta get myself to BC!
@Natasha Yes you do have to get to BC – lots of truly magnificent spots.
I have worked in South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park for the last 13 summers and the Rainbow Range is part of it. South of the Rainbow Range is Hunlen Falls and the Turner Lake Canoe Chain and Ptarmigan Alpine area. For more information and photos check these sites:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/tweeds_s/
http://www.visitthewestchilcotin.com/
http://www.facebook.com/WestChilcotin
@George WE’re planning to fly over Hunlen Falls on Friday and before we came up here we had planned to canoe the Turner Lake Chain. That didn’t happen on this trip though I’d still like to do it.
This looks even more gorgeous than other Canadian hikes – didn’t think that was possible! Interesting how a burn can create such beauty in its wake – devastation, then life anew.
Btw, are horses usually not allowed on trails?
@Sophie This whike was really over the top gorgeous!! There are lots of trails where horses aren’t allowed but I don’t know what the rules are. I guess I was surprised to see them out in the middle of nowhere though they sure provide great access to miles and miles of outstanding scenery.
Well done, Leigh!
Heidy told me about your blog and I’m delighted to see one so well written for the Rainbow Range hike. Aside from running a B&B cabin rental, I also blog about the area. Would you give me permission to use some of your notes in the blog with full credit to you and a link back here? It would be of huge help for marketing the area.
Thank you!
Jane
@Jane I’d be happy to have you do just that and help get the word out about the area. Thanks.
Oh I’m sorry,Leigh. I forgot to leave the website addresses on the comments section.
http://www.resortsbc.com and http://www.visitthewestchilcotin.com
Thank you!
Jane
Wow, this is gorgeous. I have done some beautiful day hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Rockies, but nothing as gorgeous as this.
The mountains, lakes and dead trees reminded me of a hike I did in Ushuaia, Argentina. Very beautiful. Is there a place in Canada that isn’t beautiful? This country is high on my bucket list.
Hi Ayelet – You’d think that the Canadian Tourism people would love all the work I’ve done promoting Canada but not a peep from them. There’s lots of Canada that’s nothing but trees – which can get a bit boring after a while – but also becomes part of how at least I define myself.
Amazingly beautiful, Leigh. Just amazing.
I’ll definitely have to check out Tweedsmuir Park and some of the other places you’ve featured.
@Marcia Not many people know about Tweedsmuir but it is a place of great beauty.
too beautiful for words! one day I will visit you, and we will go hiking Leigh:)
And I will visit you and will will eat!!
so nice photo.
do you have more
@Waleed Just check out some of the recent posts on my blog. Thanks.