Starvation Lake via Cheakamus Canyon Trail

Starvation Lake via Cheakamus Canyon Trail is a mellow out-and-back near Squamish that feels way more remote than it is. At 6.6 km with only about 173 m of gain and a max altitude around 252 m, it’s an easy route that most walkers can handle in under two hours. The payoff is a quiet forest walk that ends at a surprisingly inviting little lake.

The Cheakamus Canyon section is straightforward, with some gentle inclines and a bit of scrambling around the railroad crossing to keep it interesting. You’ll follow a mix of forest track and rougher sections, with the sound of trains and the canyon nearby reminding you you’re still close to the Sea to Sky corridor. Starvation Lake itself is the highlight: in summer it’s warm enough for a proper swim, and even on cooler days it’s a peaceful place to sit, spread out, and usually find your own corner of shoreline.

Recent hikers report the Starvation Lake via Cheakamus Canyon Trail staying quiet even on nice days, with many people having the lake completely to themselves. Expect a few puddles in spring, icy patches in winter and early spring where spikes help, and some bugs once things warm up. Parking is a bit farther along the road than some maps show, and higher-clearance vehicles can drive in past the basic 2WD parking to shorten the approach. This one runs almost year-round, but April through October gives you the best shot at dry trail, clear air, and a swim that doesn’t numb your legs.