Trans Canada Trail: Chilliwack River

The Trans Canada Trail: Chilliwack River is a long, rugged haul that follows one of the Fraser Valley’s most impressive river corridors. Stretching about 37 km point to point near Chilliwack, British Columbia, it’s a full-day grind for strong hikers or a solid overnight for backpackers, with roughly 797 m of gain and a high point around 708 m.

The route loosely tracks the Chilliwack River, shifting between forest singletrack, old roads, and river-access paths as it winds through the valley. You get steady views of the river, surrounding peaks, and classic Chilliwack forest, with enough distance and variation that the terrain never feels repetitive, but the length and rougher sections keep it firmly in the difficult category.

Right now, the Trans Canada Trail: Chilliwack River is under winter conditions, with some snow on the trail and icy patches that can sneak up on you in shaded areas. Microspikes are strongly recommended if you don’t want to gamble on slippery sections, and plan for cold, damp conditions with short daylight if you’re tackling the full 10-plus hours. This one is more enjoyable in late spring through fall when the snow is gone, but in any season you should treat it as a serious point-to-point: arrange a shuttle, pack extra layers, and be ready for a long, committing day in Chilliwack’s backcountry.