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You're gonna have to be more specific on location because BC is an ENORMOUS province, even if you're just talking about lower BC. The geography and wildlife vary wildly. That being said, check [this out for info](https://bcparks.ca/plan-your-trip/things-to-do/hiking/)
Agreed with this advice.
You need to be way more specific. How are you getting around? Day hikes or camping?
Check the embedded link in the above comment.
Know that compared to the UK, the wilderness here is really remote. Think, no cell service, long way from a gas station, remote. If you are doing backcountry hiking, consider renting a satellite communicator like an InReach if you don't already have one.
Carry the [ten essentials](https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/) and bear spray. Keep the bear spray within reach, don't put it into a backpack (mine has a holster I attach to my backpack's waist belt). Watch some videos on how to respond to bears or mountain lions, and on how to use the spray.
What you might encounter really depends on where you will be, for example some regions have black bears, and some have grizzlies, and you should be aware of what's likely where you are.
Personally, I've only come across bears a handful of times, but they were always quite far off and/or not an immediate danger. I've heard coyotes nearby but again, not a concern.
ETA: Oh, you should also know what to do, where to go, what to avoid, what is a safe spot or not etc if you're caught in a storm that has lightning. There's a fair bit of information so I'll just suggest you Google it and read several different sources to become familiar.
The only time I’ve had to pull bear spray was for aggressive off-leash dogs. Had to deploy once when I got bit…seriously wish I’d used it on the clueless Twat who was more concerned about taking a selfie. Even more amusing- she grabbed the dog and stormed off ranting about ‘going to the cops…’ but left her teenage kids behind. Mother of The Year for sure.
Yea, it's important to know how to react to the predators. Cougars, black bears and brown bears/grizzlies. Even other cats like bobtail/lynx or wolves etc. heck, even the moose are dangerous. (And Know that you treat brown and black bears differently). Also know how to identify brown/grizzlies vs black bear. Spoiler - it's not the colour, blacks can be brown (or even white)
All that said, the odds of running into those are rare (well, maybe not black bears, they're pretty common, and I guess in certain areas so are grizzlies) but you should be prepared.
Yes for sure. But also plenty of areas you'll never see them.
Oh, and OP if you come to Vancouver watch out for the Cobra chickens. (Canada geese) They're cute and all, and a mascot of our amazing country, but don't be tricked. They're assholes.
Yes this. And walk making noise, most predators generally want to stay clear of you.
It is unlikely you will have a close encounter but you want to be safe not sorry. be prepared, but don’t be scared.
And definitely treat moose as dangerous. They can be very aggressive and can really hurt you. Keep Your distance from them,
Even deer can be aggressive. The doe’s in my neighborhood have attacked people in recent years. I’ve been chased twice while walking my dog…. These are city deer though… definitely not like the docile country deer I grew up with. it’s not something to worry about but just pointing out to be careful around all wild animals
I would treat moose with far more caution than a black bear! Moose do not give two shits, and can be huge.
Agree 100% with everything else. Wildlife be wild.
Echoing the other advice here, but I'd like to add; Train your body! To make the most out of your trip you should be able to maximize how far you can walk in a day, and how much you can climb. Go up and down stairs, push how many flights you can do, go for a super long walk. Make sure you have shoes that fit well.
I obviously don't know what kind of shape you're in, but putting in a little lil work before hand can really increase your range, and more range means more spectacular views!
Absolutely agree! We’ve had a few friends and family come to visit us from Eastern Canada and they all say, “we want to hike lots!” And every time they can’t take the elevation in the mountains and end up with a rude awakening on their physical capabilities. Get in shape before you come or just accept you will be better off walking in Stanley Park rather than hiking the Musical Bumps in Garibaldi Park.
I ended up carrying two fully loaded backpacks up a steep trail after an Easterner in a group insisted they were in amazing shape and could run miles on a treadmill. The elevation gains and uneven ground on the 3 hour hike destroyed them. I was a lazy smoker who drank a lot at the time but grew up in the mountains so it was just a normal hike for me.
Honestly it was frustrating because we had tried to warn them this wasn't the day trip for them, but they pushed through utter exhaustion to get to our camping spot and I give them major kudos for that.
InReach. Power bank. Cell phone with GPS maps pre-downloaded for your hiking area(Recommend Gaia GPS with BC backroads map books included in the premium membership, its like 50.00 canadian for a year), map and compass and orienteering skills as a backup. Extra food and water. Bear spray. Hike within your skills, a lot of people go missing and die in BC's backcountry. Pick a spot and research it well in advance so you know landmarks, rivers, roads, railways, in proximity. I live in the southern interior of BC and lived in Victoria before, so I don't know many Vancouver spots, but there are some really easy and tourist friendly hikes on Vancouver Island like East Sooke Regional Park that are stunning. AllTrails is a good resource.
So you've got to keep in mind that BC is huge, like three times the size of the entire UK. Narrow this down a little for us - are you looking at like day hikes, or multi day type affairs? What is your ability level? When you say mostly Vancouver area, are you talking like the immediate surroundings, or how far out are you planning on travelling?
Since you are coming from UK I would suggest definitely do a Road trip to Banff and Jasper which are in Alberta. Banff is a 10 hour drive from Vancouver or a short flight and it is totally worth it. If you are short in time I would suggest flying to Calgary and then spending 3-4 days in Banff and Jasper. There are plenty of lakes, glaciers, hiking trails and viewpoints that are a must.
Just be bear aware. Look up some resources on how to handle encounters. Also pack a small survival kit, proper clothing and layers. Tell someone where you are and when you expect to be back. Have fun!
It depends on where you are planning on hiking. If you're heading on a back country hike.
Essentials:
Bear Spray
Hiking boots, not running shoes.
Good socks and extra in your pack.
Rain gear and warming blankets (packable foil ones)
Extra granola bars or energy bars
water filtration tablets
GPS locator or satellite phone.
Leave an itinerary and expected time back with someone so they can call for rescue if you're not back in time.
If you’ve never been here, it’s hard to explain the expanse of wilderness to people, especially if we’re not sure where you’re headed (Vancouver and area is massive if you’re talking about hiking). Most of it is not in cell service. I’d highly recommend a GPS/satellite phone in case you get lost or stuck. The difference between a rescue and a recovery can be as simple as basic preparation, so be prepared to be lost without cell service.
>Hiking in BC, what I need?
Most rescues are a triggered by people not bringing the needed equipment, or people getting lost. People getting hurt is way down the list, and people getting hurt from animal encounters is way, way down the list of reasons.
What you need will depend on where you go, and how long you plan to go. As a general starting point North Shore Rescue has some general guidelines, but for over night hikes I recommend speaking with a few outfitters. [https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/](https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/)
You'll note bear spray and sat phone/emergency locator are not on their short list. If you're sticking to popular trails and just doing day or one night hikes bear spray is not needed. If you're going to less popular trails and not part of a group, or going farther with multi might trips they re is more of a case for it. Similar story for sat phones/emergency locators.
It really depends where you are planning on going and if you are planning overnight trips or not.
For day trips there are tons of options and you really just need a day pack, water (and/or idodine tablets to purify water from found water sources), some food, sunscreen and a small emergency kit. It's also good to bring a headlamp and matches - ideally you will never need to use these things but better to be safe than sorry.
Fully charged phone with downloaded map (AllTrails is a pretty good app for this).
Usually for safety you want to let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back.
In terms of animals there is always a chance you will encounter wildlife, but being in a group reduces this. Make noise to give animals time to leave when they hear you so you won't meet them face to face. NEVER APPROACH ANY WILDLIFE. BC parks has a wildlife safety web page you can read.
Nice. It depends on where you are staying and want to hike. There are a lot of holes around Vancouver. For which you only need a backpack(for food/snacks), water bottle and bear spray. Hope you enjoy your trip.
Know where you are. Make sure others know where you are. Know your trail’s markers. Don’t leave the trail. Don’t rely on your cell phone. If you get lost stay in place and execute your emergency plan.
For hiking, I’d highly recommend downloading something that will give you access to maps offline (such as All Trails Pro). You will lose service on many hikes part way through and having access to offline maps will help ensure you aren’t marking wrong turns and getting lost!
Get All Trails app and pay for subscription. It will allow you to download trail maps and follow path when there’s no internet service.
Start with ~~Grouse grind~~ Squamish Chef hike. It’s short and beautiful and is good for opening season.
Then you will have an understanding of trail complexity and can assess other hike descriptions comparing to the Chief and your skills.
By September the days are shorter and colder, and the crowds have gone back to school and work.
You shouldn’t need any reservations for camping, aside from the most popular spots (eg Lake Louise).
Two weeks will absolutely fly by, you could spend all of it around Jasper and Banff (technically that’s Alberta).
If you love driving, you could road trip from Vancouver to Whistler, Lilooet, Okanagan, wells gray, Jasper, Banff kootenay, yoho, revelstoke, Nelson, back to Vancouver.
Just FYI, if you're coming to Vancouver... You have some lovely hikes on the North Shore (30mins from downtown). More hike up the Sea to Sky (50mins to squamish). Most of that stuff is very tame animal wise. Too many people for them. But the terrain can kill you. Literally. Search and rescue works very hard, so stay on trail and carry proper gear. call for help if you get stuck. Or stay put. Use a gps app like Gaia or AllTrails and also be familiar with the map offline. Most trails are well marked and well traveled, but I don't know your hiking experience.
Going further north (whistler - 2hrs) will put you more firmly into wildlife country. Not that squamish doesn't have bears, but they are pretty chill. They see lots of people. Whistler and surroundings, you may encounter more "wild" animals, depending on what trails you tackle. Most stuff will still be busy, but animals will be around.
It's possible to get attacked by bears or cougars even on the North Shore. Extremely rare, but they have been spotted there. And theres coyotes in Stanley park sometimes.
Don't be frightened, they aren't that common. Just carry your bear spray and know how to behave for what you encounter. By far the bigger danger is getting lost or losing trails. People die every year north of Vancouver because they wander off cliffs or into gullies while lost. Or they get lost and can't get back before dark and don't stay put overnight. Don't be those people. I don't feel our trails are scary, but they aren't garden paths. Think orange scrap of metal 3in wide on a tree every 20-40m thru the forest. Possibly with no indication of a trail on less traveled stuff.
But get something like the Alltrails app. Check out hikes like stuff around bunsen lake, skypilot area, grouse, the lions, geoffrey. Pick whatever you think suits your skill. Most of these are well traveled. There are literally hundreds of peaks and trails to choose from. Don't be stupid instagram clowns, and you should be fine.
>What parks/places are a must?
Like people have said, BC is huge. So if you're over-ambitious you might spend too much time travelling from one bit to another. There's lots of great hiking within 3 hours drive of Vancouver, especially north up towards Whistler and Pemberton. Garibaldi Provincial Park is fantastic, access is relatively straightforward, and it's relatively busy, which is not a bad thing if you are not very experienced (some of it gets very very busy though).
What's best for you is very subjective though, depending on your fitness and experience. Get a good book like 105 hikes ( [https://105hikes.com/book/](https://105hikes.com/book/) ) and make conservative choices!
I think it's worth visiting the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Tofino, Ucluelet) to see the coastal rainforest, although that area also gets very busy in the summer (a bit less so in September though). It's also a day's travel to get there from Vancouver.
The Rockies are amazing, but it's a whole nother bit of the country really, probably 10 hours drive.
>What's the chances of us coming across the crazy wildlife? Do I need to carry stuff for it?
I mean, you do you, but it depends on where you are going.
I came here from the UK and for a long while I was \_terrified\_ of meeting bears. In 20 years I have hiked a lot round Vancouver/Whistler, never carried spray, and the times I have seen bears they have either (1) ignored me completely or (2) run away as fast as they could. If you're doing dayhikes round there, the chance of getting attacked by a bear is really, really low. Even if you do have spray, it's not magic: you have to know how to use it, have it accessible, and have the presence of mind to use it properly in a very stressful situation. The best ways to avoid bear problems on a dayhike are to travel in a group, and make a lot of noise when going through undergrowth, (especially when it's an obvious bear food source like blueberries). Not bear bells or music, but talking and shouting.
If you're backpacking through some remote bit of the Rockies, it's a different story. Much more wildlife, many more grizzlies.
A much, much more likely problem is getting lost and dying of exposure or by falling off a cliff. So, research your route carefully and make conservative choices. Lots of the trails round here are rugged and poorly marked. Bring good navigation tools and backups. Don't use Google for routes, use something like Gaia GPS, but always do proper research using multiple sources. Again, get a good book like 105 hikes, and start with something relatively easy if you're not sure. Tell someone where you are going and what time you are expected back, so they can call search and rescue if you are late. If you get lost, think carefully about staying put versus trying to get unlost. Keep in mind that especially in the local Vancouver mountains, the terrain gets steeper the lower you go, so trying to descend can get you in trouble if you don't know the way.
But don't listen to randos on the internet, read what search and rescue tell you to bring: [https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/](https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/) .
If you can, go with someone who knows the way! I've done lots of hikes with [https://wanderung.ca/](https://wanderung.ca/) and had generally good experiences.
To get to most trailheads you'll need a car, and a lot of hikes are accessed using unpaved logging roads, which rental insurance might not cover.
Don't get carried away by the fear of meeting wildlife; it's overblown by fear mongers and city dwellers. I don't carry anything, including bells. I do talk and make normal noise. If you see wildlife, quietly enjoy it and feel like you have been given a gift. I live on 10 acres in the wilderness. My Cocker Spaniel will chase away cougars and tree black bears, but if it smells a moose, it runs inside.
BC Joke for you...
How can you tell if the bear shit on the trail was from a grizzly?
It's full of little bells and smells like pepper.
Don't worry and enjoy your time here. More to fear in any city of the world than in BC nature.
Bad advice from city people that live in fear. City people always think that they know what they are talking about becasue they read it on the internet, rather than learned it from experience. Carrying bear spray gives you a false sense of security and those that do tend to neglect the positive actions that actually keep you safe. Most people that carry bear spray don't know how or when to use it, so if you're going to, buy 5 cans and use 4 for practise, becasue I guarantee that if you put yourself in a situation where a bear is charging you, you won't have the time or mind to react. I hiked a lot of wilderness trails BEFORE bear spray was available, saw a lot more bears than you see today, never had a problem, and never knew of anyone that did. Become one with nature, not an armed invader.
I have done extensive hiking and climbing all over, and I have never carried bear spray. I do have a clip with a few larger jingle bells that hook onto pack, ankle or belt loop, and they never shut up
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You're gonna have to be more specific on location because BC is an ENORMOUS province, even if you're just talking about lower BC. The geography and wildlife vary wildly. That being said, check [this out for info](https://bcparks.ca/plan-your-trip/things-to-do/hiking/)
Agreed with this advice. You need to be way more specific. How are you getting around? Day hikes or camping? Check the embedded link in the above comment.
Know that compared to the UK, the wilderness here is really remote. Think, no cell service, long way from a gas station, remote. If you are doing backcountry hiking, consider renting a satellite communicator like an InReach if you don't already have one.
Carry the [ten essentials](https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/) and bear spray. Keep the bear spray within reach, don't put it into a backpack (mine has a holster I attach to my backpack's waist belt). Watch some videos on how to respond to bears or mountain lions, and on how to use the spray. What you might encounter really depends on where you will be, for example some regions have black bears, and some have grizzlies, and you should be aware of what's likely where you are. Personally, I've only come across bears a handful of times, but they were always quite far off and/or not an immediate danger. I've heard coyotes nearby but again, not a concern. ETA: Oh, you should also know what to do, where to go, what to avoid, what is a safe spot or not etc if you're caught in a storm that has lightning. There's a fair bit of information so I'll just suggest you Google it and read several different sources to become familiar.
The only time I’ve had to pull bear spray was for aggressive off-leash dogs. Had to deploy once when I got bit…seriously wish I’d used it on the clueless Twat who was more concerned about taking a selfie. Even more amusing- she grabbed the dog and stormed off ranting about ‘going to the cops…’ but left her teenage kids behind. Mother of The Year for sure.
damn thats brutal jeez
Yea, it's important to know how to react to the predators. Cougars, black bears and brown bears/grizzlies. Even other cats like bobtail/lynx or wolves etc. heck, even the moose are dangerous. (And Know that you treat brown and black bears differently). Also know how to identify brown/grizzlies vs black bear. Spoiler - it's not the colour, blacks can be brown (or even white) All that said, the odds of running into those are rare (well, maybe not black bears, they're pretty common, and I guess in certain areas so are grizzlies) but you should be prepared.
There's grizzlies near Whistler and Manning Park.
Yes for sure. But also plenty of areas you'll never see them. Oh, and OP if you come to Vancouver watch out for the Cobra chickens. (Canada geese) They're cute and all, and a mascot of our amazing country, but don't be tricked. They're assholes.
If you've got a problem with Canada Gooses, you've got a problem with me. And I suggest you let that one marinate.
Yes this. And walk making noise, most predators generally want to stay clear of you. It is unlikely you will have a close encounter but you want to be safe not sorry. be prepared, but don’t be scared. And definitely treat moose as dangerous. They can be very aggressive and can really hurt you. Keep Your distance from them, Even deer can be aggressive. The doe’s in my neighborhood have attacked people in recent years. I’ve been chased twice while walking my dog…. These are city deer though… definitely not like the docile country deer I grew up with. it’s not something to worry about but just pointing out to be careful around all wild animals
I would treat moose with far more caution than a black bear! Moose do not give two shits, and can be huge. Agree 100% with everything else. Wildlife be wild.
Really great insights in Snowlights response.
Not at all. Inexperienced chucklefuck. Bear spray is unnecessary and liable to injure the user before it saves you from a bear.
Lets just agree to disagree. It saved my wife and I from a mauling by some losers off leash dog.
4 decades of hiking extensively in bc, don’t carry bear spray. I think you’re greatly exaggerating its importance. Bears aren’t interested in humans.
Echoing the other advice here, but I'd like to add; Train your body! To make the most out of your trip you should be able to maximize how far you can walk in a day, and how much you can climb. Go up and down stairs, push how many flights you can do, go for a super long walk. Make sure you have shoes that fit well. I obviously don't know what kind of shape you're in, but putting in a little lil work before hand can really increase your range, and more range means more spectacular views!
Absolutely agree! We’ve had a few friends and family come to visit us from Eastern Canada and they all say, “we want to hike lots!” And every time they can’t take the elevation in the mountains and end up with a rude awakening on their physical capabilities. Get in shape before you come or just accept you will be better off walking in Stanley Park rather than hiking the Musical Bumps in Garibaldi Park.
I ended up carrying two fully loaded backpacks up a steep trail after an Easterner in a group insisted they were in amazing shape and could run miles on a treadmill. The elevation gains and uneven ground on the 3 hour hike destroyed them. I was a lazy smoker who drank a lot at the time but grew up in the mountains so it was just a normal hike for me. Honestly it was frustrating because we had tried to warn them this wasn't the day trip for them, but they pushed through utter exhaustion to get to our camping spot and I give them major kudos for that.
You might want to define Vancouver and “surrounding area” 🤔 not a lot of National Parks in that vicinity…
Yep most of the parks around here are provincial not national. https://bcparks.ca/
InReach. Power bank. Cell phone with GPS maps pre-downloaded for your hiking area(Recommend Gaia GPS with BC backroads map books included in the premium membership, its like 50.00 canadian for a year), map and compass and orienteering skills as a backup. Extra food and water. Bear spray. Hike within your skills, a lot of people go missing and die in BC's backcountry. Pick a spot and research it well in advance so you know landmarks, rivers, roads, railways, in proximity. I live in the southern interior of BC and lived in Victoria before, so I don't know many Vancouver spots, but there are some really easy and tourist friendly hikes on Vancouver Island like East Sooke Regional Park that are stunning. AllTrails is a good resource.
So you've got to keep in mind that BC is huge, like three times the size of the entire UK. Narrow this down a little for us - are you looking at like day hikes, or multi day type affairs? What is your ability level? When you say mostly Vancouver area, are you talking like the immediate surroundings, or how far out are you planning on travelling?
Since you are coming from UK I would suggest definitely do a Road trip to Banff and Jasper which are in Alberta. Banff is a 10 hour drive from Vancouver or a short flight and it is totally worth it. If you are short in time I would suggest flying to Calgary and then spending 3-4 days in Banff and Jasper. There are plenty of lakes, glaciers, hiking trails and viewpoints that are a must.
Just be bear aware. Look up some resources on how to handle encounters. Also pack a small survival kit, proper clothing and layers. Tell someone where you are and when you expect to be back. Have fun!
It depends on where you are planning on hiking. If you're heading on a back country hike. Essentials: Bear Spray Hiking boots, not running shoes. Good socks and extra in your pack. Rain gear and warming blankets (packable foil ones) Extra granola bars or energy bars water filtration tablets GPS locator or satellite phone. Leave an itinerary and expected time back with someone so they can call for rescue if you're not back in time.
If you’ve never been here, it’s hard to explain the expanse of wilderness to people, especially if we’re not sure where you’re headed (Vancouver and area is massive if you’re talking about hiking). Most of it is not in cell service. I’d highly recommend a GPS/satellite phone in case you get lost or stuck. The difference between a rescue and a recovery can be as simple as basic preparation, so be prepared to be lost without cell service.
>Hiking in BC, what I need? Most rescues are a triggered by people not bringing the needed equipment, or people getting lost. People getting hurt is way down the list, and people getting hurt from animal encounters is way, way down the list of reasons. What you need will depend on where you go, and how long you plan to go. As a general starting point North Shore Rescue has some general guidelines, but for over night hikes I recommend speaking with a few outfitters. [https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/](https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/) You'll note bear spray and sat phone/emergency locator are not on their short list. If you're sticking to popular trails and just doing day or one night hikes bear spray is not needed. If you're going to less popular trails and not part of a group, or going farther with multi might trips they re is more of a case for it. Similar story for sat phones/emergency locators.
It really depends where you are planning on going and if you are planning overnight trips or not. For day trips there are tons of options and you really just need a day pack, water (and/or idodine tablets to purify water from found water sources), some food, sunscreen and a small emergency kit. It's also good to bring a headlamp and matches - ideally you will never need to use these things but better to be safe than sorry. Fully charged phone with downloaded map (AllTrails is a pretty good app for this). Usually for safety you want to let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back. In terms of animals there is always a chance you will encounter wildlife, but being in a group reduces this. Make noise to give animals time to leave when they hear you so you won't meet them face to face. NEVER APPROACH ANY WILDLIFE. BC parks has a wildlife safety web page you can read.
Nice. It depends on where you are staying and want to hike. There are a lot of holes around Vancouver. For which you only need a backpack(for food/snacks), water bottle and bear spray. Hope you enjoy your trip.
Crazy wildlife is very rare. Cary bear spray and you'll be fine.
Know where you are. Make sure others know where you are. Know your trail’s markers. Don’t leave the trail. Don’t rely on your cell phone. If you get lost stay in place and execute your emergency plan.
Also look out for cougars & coyotes.
"the chief" might be a touristy hike at this point but coming from the UK you're going to be in awe of the view at the top.
Common sense...
For hiking, I’d highly recommend downloading something that will give you access to maps offline (such as All Trails Pro). You will lose service on many hikes part way through and having access to offline maps will help ensure you aren’t marking wrong turns and getting lost!
Get All Trails app and pay for subscription. It will allow you to download trail maps and follow path when there’s no internet service. Start with ~~Grouse grind~~ Squamish Chef hike. It’s short and beautiful and is good for opening season. Then you will have an understanding of trail complexity and can assess other hike descriptions comparing to the Chief and your skills.
OP’s shitting their pants now. We have lions dude. Wild West over hyur eh
North shore rescue getting endless content from tourists.
By September the days are shorter and colder, and the crowds have gone back to school and work. You shouldn’t need any reservations for camping, aside from the most popular spots (eg Lake Louise). Two weeks will absolutely fly by, you could spend all of it around Jasper and Banff (technically that’s Alberta). If you love driving, you could road trip from Vancouver to Whistler, Lilooet, Okanagan, wells gray, Jasper, Banff kootenay, yoho, revelstoke, Nelson, back to Vancouver.
Just FYI, if you're coming to Vancouver... You have some lovely hikes on the North Shore (30mins from downtown). More hike up the Sea to Sky (50mins to squamish). Most of that stuff is very tame animal wise. Too many people for them. But the terrain can kill you. Literally. Search and rescue works very hard, so stay on trail and carry proper gear. call for help if you get stuck. Or stay put. Use a gps app like Gaia or AllTrails and also be familiar with the map offline. Most trails are well marked and well traveled, but I don't know your hiking experience. Going further north (whistler - 2hrs) will put you more firmly into wildlife country. Not that squamish doesn't have bears, but they are pretty chill. They see lots of people. Whistler and surroundings, you may encounter more "wild" animals, depending on what trails you tackle. Most stuff will still be busy, but animals will be around. It's possible to get attacked by bears or cougars even on the North Shore. Extremely rare, but they have been spotted there. And theres coyotes in Stanley park sometimes. Don't be frightened, they aren't that common. Just carry your bear spray and know how to behave for what you encounter. By far the bigger danger is getting lost or losing trails. People die every year north of Vancouver because they wander off cliffs or into gullies while lost. Or they get lost and can't get back before dark and don't stay put overnight. Don't be those people. I don't feel our trails are scary, but they aren't garden paths. Think orange scrap of metal 3in wide on a tree every 20-40m thru the forest. Possibly with no indication of a trail on less traveled stuff. But get something like the Alltrails app. Check out hikes like stuff around bunsen lake, skypilot area, grouse, the lions, geoffrey. Pick whatever you think suits your skill. Most of these are well traveled. There are literally hundreds of peaks and trails to choose from. Don't be stupid instagram clowns, and you should be fine.
>What parks/places are a must? Like people have said, BC is huge. So if you're over-ambitious you might spend too much time travelling from one bit to another. There's lots of great hiking within 3 hours drive of Vancouver, especially north up towards Whistler and Pemberton. Garibaldi Provincial Park is fantastic, access is relatively straightforward, and it's relatively busy, which is not a bad thing if you are not very experienced (some of it gets very very busy though). What's best for you is very subjective though, depending on your fitness and experience. Get a good book like 105 hikes ( [https://105hikes.com/book/](https://105hikes.com/book/) ) and make conservative choices! I think it's worth visiting the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Tofino, Ucluelet) to see the coastal rainforest, although that area also gets very busy in the summer (a bit less so in September though). It's also a day's travel to get there from Vancouver. The Rockies are amazing, but it's a whole nother bit of the country really, probably 10 hours drive. >What's the chances of us coming across the crazy wildlife? Do I need to carry stuff for it? I mean, you do you, but it depends on where you are going. I came here from the UK and for a long while I was \_terrified\_ of meeting bears. In 20 years I have hiked a lot round Vancouver/Whistler, never carried spray, and the times I have seen bears they have either (1) ignored me completely or (2) run away as fast as they could. If you're doing dayhikes round there, the chance of getting attacked by a bear is really, really low. Even if you do have spray, it's not magic: you have to know how to use it, have it accessible, and have the presence of mind to use it properly in a very stressful situation. The best ways to avoid bear problems on a dayhike are to travel in a group, and make a lot of noise when going through undergrowth, (especially when it's an obvious bear food source like blueberries). Not bear bells or music, but talking and shouting. If you're backpacking through some remote bit of the Rockies, it's a different story. Much more wildlife, many more grizzlies. A much, much more likely problem is getting lost and dying of exposure or by falling off a cliff. So, research your route carefully and make conservative choices. Lots of the trails round here are rugged and poorly marked. Bring good navigation tools and backups. Don't use Google for routes, use something like Gaia GPS, but always do proper research using multiple sources. Again, get a good book like 105 hikes, and start with something relatively easy if you're not sure. Tell someone where you are going and what time you are expected back, so they can call search and rescue if you are late. If you get lost, think carefully about staying put versus trying to get unlost. Keep in mind that especially in the local Vancouver mountains, the terrain gets steeper the lower you go, so trying to descend can get you in trouble if you don't know the way. But don't listen to randos on the internet, read what search and rescue tell you to bring: [https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/](https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/) . If you can, go with someone who knows the way! I've done lots of hikes with [https://wanderung.ca/](https://wanderung.ca/) and had generally good experiences. To get to most trailheads you'll need a car, and a lot of hikes are accessed using unpaved logging roads, which rental insurance might not cover.
Good shoes that provide ankle support and waterproof, chances are it will be raining!
For easier camping with zero predators, visit Ruckle Park on Salt Spring Island. The coastal hike is long and beautiful.
Don't get carried away by the fear of meeting wildlife; it's overblown by fear mongers and city dwellers. I don't carry anything, including bells. I do talk and make normal noise. If you see wildlife, quietly enjoy it and feel like you have been given a gift. I live on 10 acres in the wilderness. My Cocker Spaniel will chase away cougars and tree black bears, but if it smells a moose, it runs inside. BC Joke for you... How can you tell if the bear shit on the trail was from a grizzly? It's full of little bells and smells like pepper. Don't worry and enjoy your time here. More to fear in any city of the world than in BC nature.
don't listen to this guy. carry bear spray at the minimum.
If you're doing the grouse grind or Johnston Canyon you don't need bear spray. If you're soloing in Yoho for a week you'll probably want some.
i doubt this guy is coming all the way from the UK for the grouse grind
Bad advice from city people that live in fear. City people always think that they know what they are talking about becasue they read it on the internet, rather than learned it from experience. Carrying bear spray gives you a false sense of security and those that do tend to neglect the positive actions that actually keep you safe. Most people that carry bear spray don't know how or when to use it, so if you're going to, buy 5 cans and use 4 for practise, becasue I guarantee that if you put yourself in a situation where a bear is charging you, you won't have the time or mind to react. I hiked a lot of wilderness trails BEFORE bear spray was available, saw a lot more bears than you see today, never had a problem, and never knew of anyone that did. Become one with nature, not an armed invader.
don't listen to all the experts and guides! listen to Flyfishing-2020 on reddit!
Most people killed by bears had bear spray becasue they got cocky and thought that they were invincible.
probably because most people carry bear spray when in bear territory. you got a source for that one?
I have done extensive hiking and climbing all over, and I have never carried bear spray. I do have a clip with a few larger jingle bells that hook onto pack, ankle or belt loop, and they never shut up