Gloria Trail and Elk Mountain Trail

Gloria Trail and Elk Mountain Trail in Chilliwack is a big day out, not a casual stroll. At 18.2 km with around 1600 m of gain and a point-to-point layout, this route feels long, steep, and relentless, and most hikers are out close to ten hours. It’s rated very difficult for good reason, so think of it as a full-value mountain mission rather than a quick summit dash.

The route links steep forest climbs, rolling ridge sections, and a mix of viewpoints from Elk, Thurston, and Gloria. Expect to spend a lot of time in the trees, with the best open views coming early around Elk and more limited sightlines beyond that. The forest itself is the main attraction on the Gloria side, shifting from damp coastal woods to winter conditions near the junction when the snow starts piling up in fall and early winter.

Recent hikers report the trail is generally well marked, but snow can quickly hide flagging and make navigation sketchy between Thurston and Elk and around the Gloria junction. The descent off Gloria is brutally steep and hard on knees and shins, and there are no reliable water sources later in the season, so carry everything you need. Expect bear sign between Elk and Thurston, use poles for the climbs and the pounding descent, and plan a car shuttle since Gloria Trail and Elk Mountain Trail is a true point-to-point route best tackled from roughly March to November, with extra caution once snow starts to accumulate.