Half Nelson via Ring Creek

Half Nelson via Ring Creek in Squamish is one of those trails that mountain bikers talk about all year long. It’s a 5.6 km loop with about 228 m of gain, topping out around 574 m, and while it’s rated easy on paper, the experience depends a lot on how you use it. This is designed and maintained as a fast, flowy mountain bike trail first, with hiking as a distant second.

The loop usually climbs the Ring Creek FSR and then drops into Half Nelson, which is a machine-built flow trail with berms, rollers, and jumps that keep riders moving quickly. The logging road up is a steady, non-technical grind with some nice views out toward the Squamish Valley and surrounding peaks. Once you hit Half Nelson, it’s all about speed and rhythm for bikers, and hikers on this section will feel like they’re walking in the middle of a downhill bike park.

Recent users are clear: Half Nelson via Ring Creek is “awesome flow” and “so good” for riding, but not a great choice for walking, with very fast riders and real collision risk. If you do hike it, go very early or on bad-weather weekdays, stick alertly to the side, and expect actual traffic, not just the odd bike. Conditions can be icy on the switchbacks in colder months, and distances often track longer than 5.6 km, so give yourself extra time and consider this a mountain bike zone more than a hiking destination, especially in the busy April–September season.