Upper Half Nelson and Full Nelson via Ring Creek

Upper Half Nelson and Full Nelson via Ring Creek is a fun, low-commitment way to sample Squamish’s famous mountain bike zone on foot. This 6.8 km loop with about 282 m of gain tops out around 607 m, so it’s more of a mellow wander than a grind, and most hikers will find the grade easy even if the listed time is almost five hours. You’re mostly sharing space with bikes here, so go in expecting a social trail, not a quiet backcountry escape.

The loop starts from the secondary parking area and climbs the Ring Creek access road, a steady gravel road walk that lets you warm up without any technical moves. The payoff comes on the way down as you follow the Upper Half Nelson and Full Nelson bike trails, weaving through classic Squamish forest with smooth berms, rollers, and flowy curves underfoot instead of roots and rocks. Views are mostly filtered through trees, but you get that lush Coast Mountains feel and the fun of walking a trail built for speed, just at a slower pace.

Current reports consistently flag how busy this area is with riders, especially on weekends and dry evenings, so hikers should stick to quieter times like early mornings or shoulder season days. Stay alert, step aside quickly for bikes, and avoid wearing headphones, since riders move fast on these descents. The Upper Half Nelson and Full Nelson via Ring Creek loop is usually best from April to September when the dirt is dry and the road isn’t sloppy, but Squamish’s mild climate often makes it accessible outside those months too, with extra caution for mud and slick wood features after rain.