Al's Habrich Ridge Trail

Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail in Squamish starts right from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola and wastes no time getting into the good stuff. Over 6.8 km with about 409 m of gain to roughly 1,228 m, it’s rated moderate, but most locals would call it a tough blue or easy black: steady, interesting, and packed with viewpoints so you never feel like you’re just grinding.

The trail mixes smooth forest singletrack, rooty sections, and slabby granite with short scrambles, ropes, and chains in a few steeper spots. You get exposed ridge walking and big views over Howe Sound, Mount Habrich, and the Squamish valley surprisingly early, with plenty of natural “turnaround” viewpoints if you’re short on time. Many hikers say the first main lookout is the real highlight, and the final push to Neverland “lake” can feel a bit underwhelming, especially when water levels are low or snow lingers.

Recent reports say Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail is generally well maintained and mostly dry in summer, with no bugs for much of the route but occasional swarms and mud closer to Neverland later in the season. The main trail is decently marked, yet the upper loop and options around the lake and falls can get confusing, so having AllTrails or a GPS map is genuinely useful. Expect snow and tricky route-finding near the top in spring and early summer, wear shoes with solid traction for the steep descent, and give yourself extra time beyond the 2.5–3 hour estimate if you plan to explore the loop or chase sunset views over Squamish.