3 Chilliwack Hikes from one Trailhead (All Skill Levels)
Chilliwack is one of the most underrated hiking area in British Columbia. Although many decide to drive along the Sea to Sky Highway to reach popular trails north of Vancouver, such as Joffre Lakes or Garibaldi, Chilliwack hikes are an excellent less crowded alternative.
I hiked several trails in the Chilliwack area, from easy to harder ones, from day trips to overnight backpacking trips. Among my friends, there’s an ongoing joke: every time I suggest a hike, the first thing they ask for are the stats. I’m known for pushing my limits and usually choosing the longer, tougher routes. Honestly, I can’t blame them.
Because of this consideration, I thought it would be useful to share with you 3 Chilliwack hikes you can start from a single trailhead with an easy, medium and difficult option, for all skill levels.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The only way to get to the trailhead of these 3 Chilliwack trails is by car. If you don’t have a car, I recommend renting one for the day, checking meet up or Facebook groups. From Vancouver, the drive is just over the 2 hours. For the exact trailhead location check out this link.
3 Chilliwack Hikes from a Single Trailhead
These 3 Chilliwack hikes share the same trailhead, near Chilliwack Lake. As a result, the parking lot gets very busy over the weekend, forcing many visitors to park along the road. If you’re thinking to go backcountry camping, I recommend getting here in the afternoon. In fact, this is when many day hikers will get back to their car, allowing you to park your car at the main parking lot.
⚠️ Note that in the past this parking lot experienced break-ins and theft. So, make sure you don’t leave anything valuable in the car.
Lindeman Lake (Easy Hike)
- Distance: 3.5 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 238 m
- Difficulty: easy
- Trail Info: link
Lindeman Lake is a short and easy hike in Chilliwack. But keep in mind that it’s very popular and crowded, especially in summer. To reach the lake, follow the uphill trail as it winds through a series of switchbacks. Why hike to Lindeman Lake? The lake colors are so bright that you’ll be mesmerized. Believe it or not, some people even carry paddleboards up here to chill on the lake.
Also, the lake has a campground that works on a first-come first-served basis. But, make you sure you get a backcountry permit.
Greendrop Lake (Moderate Hike)
- Distance: 11.6 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 485 m
- Difficulty: moderate
- Trail Info: link
If you’ve reached Lindeman Lake, you’ve already checked out one of the best Chilliwack hikes in BC. Keep going to the next: Greendrop Lake. This trail section is a bit harder due to the boulder fields on the way. But, it’s a very rewarding hike and you get to check a second alpine lake off your list in just one day. I even managed to spot an otter on a log next to the lake.
Greendrop lake is more peaceful compared to Lindeman Lake and it has a backcountry campsite as well. As for Lindeman Lake, you need to get a backcountry permit for camping.
Flora Peak (Difficult Hike)
- Distance: 11 km round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,307 m
- Difficulty: hard
- Trail Info: link
Read More: My Overnight Hike to Flora Peak
Do you want to tackle one of the more challenging Chilliwack hikes on the list? From the parking lot, you’ll take the trail on the right to Flora Peak. The first part of the trail is steep but luckily most of it is shaded in the forest. Around the end, it gets exposed and on a sunny day it can really make or break your hiking experience. Spoiler alert, I got sun struck after this one, oops. So, don’t be like me and make sure you bring a hat and hydrate.
Once the trail levels out, you’ll come across some water streams. This is the only water source on the entire trail. So, if you want to camp on top of Flora Peak, this is the last place you’ll find to filter water.
The last section to get to Flora Peak is a scramble and a grind. Since we camped at Flora Lake the night before, we left our heavy backpack at the bottom of Flora peak to have an easier way up.
The views from Flora Peak are some of the best in BC. In my opinion, at the same level as Joffre Lakes and Garibaldi Lake. Also, it goes without saying that this is undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Chilliwack.
🥾 Hiking Tip: if you want to hike these 3 Chilliwack Hikes in a loop, you could plan an overnight trip. I recommend spending a night at either Greendrop Lake or Flora Lake for a better experience. Check out this trail description for a full overview.
3 Chilliwack Hikes from One Trailhead FAQ
Can you swim in Lindeman Lake?
Yes, you can but the water is freezing (even in summer). In fact, if you’re comfortable with the weight, you can even bring your paddleboard on the lake.
Can you camp at Lindeman Lake?
Yes, you’ll need to get a backcountry permit for $5 per person, per night. The campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. So, if you’re visiting during a busy weekend, I recommend getting here early. To make a backcountry registration follow this link and select: Backcountry > Backcountry registration > Chilliwack Lake.
Is there cell service at Lindeman Lake?
No, not even at the parking lot. If you’re traveling with a group, make sure you stick together. Or consider getting some satellite communication device.
Is it possible to hike both Lindeman and Greendrop in one day?
Yes, that’s what I did. But, be prepared for a longer day hike and wear sturdy shoes.
Is the trail to Greendrop Lake more difficult than Lindeman Lake?
Yes, it’s more difficult than Lindeman mainly due to the boulder fields on the way. I recommend using trekking poles for this section.
Are there any water sources on the way up to Flora Peak?
Once you leave the forested section and follow the trail for another bit, you’ll come across some creeks where you can filter water. But, this is the only place you’ll be able to get water before summiting Flora Peak. So, make sure you bring plenty of water.
Is Flora Peak a difficult hike?
Yes, it’s quite steep and difficult, especially if you carry backcountry camping gear with you.
Can you camp at Flora Peak or Flora Lake?
Although there are no official campsites on Flora Peak, you can find some flat spaces to set up your tent. But, there is no water source on Flora Peak. So, if you decide to camp up here, make sure you carry enough water with you.
Alternatively, you can hike and camp at Flora Lake, which has 2-3 wooden tent pads. If they’re already taken there are some additional flat spots near the lake. We decided to camp at Flora Lake mainly because of the access to water.
Do I need to book a permit to camp on Flora Peak?
BC parks website states that you need to obtain a backcountry camping permit to camp at Lindeman Lake, Greendrop Lake or Flora Lake. But, you do not currently need a permit to camp on Flora Peak.
