Four Lakes Trail

Four Lakes Trail in Alice Lake Provincial Park near Squamish is a mellow loop that gives you classic coastal forest, four different lakes, and just enough up-and-down to feel like a hike without wiping you out. It’s about 6.3 km with roughly 150 m of gain, topping out around 315 m, and most people cruise it in around an hour and a half. If you’re camping at Alice Lake or just driving up from Squamish or Vancouver for the day, this is an easy go-to walk that still feels like you’ve actually been on a trail.

The loop winds through tall cedars and firs, mostly in deep shade, with soft forest floor, roots, and rocks underfoot. You’ll pass Stump, Fawn, Edith, and Alice lakes, with little side loops and viewpoints giving you “peekaboo” water views more than big open vistas. The first half around Stump and Edith Lakes feels narrower and more rugged, then the second half opens into wider gravel paths and campground edges, where you’ll notice the crowds rise again near Alice Lake itself.

Right now, trail conditions are generally excellent: well marked, not too technical, and very manageable for kids and newer hikers, though the rolling hills can surprise people who expect it to be totally flat. It can get busy on weekends, so arriving before 10 a.m. helps with parking and a quieter loop, and sturdy shoes are smart for the roots, especially in the rain when the forest turns extra slick but still very inviting. Dogs are allowed on leash on the Four Lakes Trail, but Alice Lake’s main beach is not dog friendly, so expect a small detour around the campground area, and keep an eye on posted swim advisories for algae before you jump in.