Guest Author: Emily Haggar
Updated May 2022.
Wet noses and warm hearts. Whistler is known for being a pet-friendly community, and with a seemingly endless network of hiking options, there is no shortage of dog-friendly hikes to explore with your four-legged friend.
Whether your canine companion is into lengthy journeys and strenuous alpine excursions or spontaneous relaxing strolls in the forest, being able to share a beautiful day in the mountains with your favourite pup is what having a dog in Whistler is all about.
For all of the suggestions listed below, be aware that there are other trail users and wildlife that you need to consider; keep your dog on a leash unless you’re in a designated off-leash area, pick up after them and take a look at the other doggie-travel tips, so you can be a responsible furry-friend owner.
Remember, even if your dog is friendly other dogs might be nervous, reactive or in-training. For the love of all dogs, leash up on these dog-friendly hikes.
Lost Lake Trails
Lost Lake is a popular area for hiking, running and mountain biking with a four-legged friend, and you’ll see the most dogs here of any hike on this list. There is a nice dog beach at the lake (Canine Cove) with a dog ramp so they can climb onto the floating dock. This is the perfect spot for a post-hike swim and game of Frisbee/fetch. Lost Lake has a large network of mixed-use (hike/bike) trails, with lots of routes to explore and is easy access from Whistler Village.
Distance: 5 KM and upwards. Allow 2 hours for Village for lake loop and swim, but there are options for longer routes. Difficulty: Easy.
Riverside Trail
With easy access and great scenery, Riverside is a local favourite. Starting from the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, this wide smooth trail follows the Cheakamus River to a suspension bridge, delivering you to the opposite side of the river.
Follow the trail back to make a full circle, or for a longer outing, head up to Logger’s Lake and the beautiful Crater Rim and Ridge trails. Great for smaller or older dogs who enjoy a walk in the woods.
There are a lot of other trail users in this area (bikers, runners, toddlers), so make sure you keep your pooch on a leash.
Distance: 4 KM roundtrip to bridge and back. Allow 1.5-2 hours. Difficulty: Mellow.
Sea to Sky Trail
The Sea to Sky Trail is a long thread that, when completed, will connect Whistler to both Pemberton and Squamish. You can access the north end of the trail from Molly Hogan in the Lost Lake trail system, which then climbs above Green Lake and on towards Wedge Woods. From Cheakamus, the Sea to Sky Trail picks up where the Valley Trail ends, heading south towards Brandywine Falls. If you’re looking for a quiet, uncrowded place to hike, bike or run with your dog, the Sea to Sky Trail is a great option.
Distance: You can go as far or as long as you want on this one. There are no loops so it’s a hike out and retrace your path back.
Ancient Cedars Trail
This 5 KM loop is one of Whistler’s hidden gems. Rarely busy, this is a beautiful trail that leads to a grove of 1,000-year-old cedar trees. If you can time your walk to be there in the golden hour just before sunset, the magic of the ancients will be even more impressive. The massive trees at the end of the Ancient Cedars hike will make even a Great Dane look a Shih-Tzu. Be aware that the road to the trailhead is rocky, bumpy and narrow, so a 4×4 is best. Check Trailforks for information on when this trail is clear to hike.
Distance: 5 KM round trip. Allow 1.5-3 hours round trip. Difficulty: Mostly mellow, one steep section.
Brandywine Meadows Trail
Thanks to a high elevation forest service access road in the Callaghan Valley (a 4×4 is best as it can get rough), this short hike leads directly to a little piece of mountain heaven. Brandywine Meadows is one huge blanket of wildflowers and grasses, stretching out below beautiful snow-capped peaks. That’s why it’s one of the most beautiful dog-friendly hikes in Whistler.
The meadows are a great destination in their own right but there is fantastic hiking up to the summit of Brandywine Mountain as well. With so much terrain to explore, bringing along the tent to set up a basecamp for several days of mountain adventures would be the ultimate way to get to know this incredible landscape.
Brandywine Meadows is in Grizzly Bear habitat, so use a little extra caution when hiking in this area. Read more in Be Bear Aware in Whistler’s Backcountry. All of the trails within Whistler require you to have your dog on a leash. Check Trailforks for information on when this trail is clear to hike.
Distance: 6 KM round trip to the meadows. Allow 3-5 hours. Difficulty: Moderate.
Exploring Further
For more dog-friendly hikes around Whistler, check out the trails in the Callaghan Valley, or spend some time on the Flank Trail. Both the Hurley FSR and Duffey Lake Road have literally hundreds of options for dog-friendly alpine hiking, so you’d be hard-pressed to run out of possibilities a bit further north of Whistler and Pemberton. If you are going out for a longer hike, make sure you leave a trip plan and consult AdventureSmart BC on what to take and how to prepare.
Due to park regulations, dogs are not permitted anywhere in Garibaldi Provincial Park, which includes Wedgemount Lake, Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, Musical Bumps and Elfin Lakes. Whistler Blackcomb, Skywalk, Mount Sproatt and the Rainbow apline trails are also strictly dog-free zones, with the latter three being patrolled daily by Park Rangers.
Be Responsible, Be Cool
Wherever your adventures take you, be mindful of the wildlife and keep your dog at your side on a leash in case you encounter one of the local bears (dogs are responsible for more than half of all negative wildlife interactions).
Perhaps most important is to practice a “Leave No Trace” principle. This is standard, respectful behaviour in any wilderness area so always remember to carry out your doggy waste bags if there isn’t a garbage bin nearby.
If you’re doing some aprés after your hike then you should know that dogs are not allowed to be tethered and left unattended anywhere in Whistler, this includes outside shops and restaurants. They are also not permitted to sit with you inside a restaurant or outside on the patio due to health code regulations. Our suggestion would be to get a dog sitter so you can aprés stress-free!
If you’re unfamiliar with the Whistler area it’s always a good idea to pop by the Whistler Visitor Centre in the Village for maps and helpful advice on hikes and anything else Whistler related. The Insider has a hiking archive full of more great hikes and info, and if you have a favourite dog-friendly hike not listed here, please tell us about it. Happy trails and wagging tails!
Get more tips on vacationing with your dog in Whistler and find pet-friendly accommodation at Whistler.com
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