Gambier Lake

Gambier Lake on Gambier Island is a long, grindy out-and-back that feels a lot wilder than its stats on paper. At 19.6 km with around 816 m of elevation gain and a high point near 516 m, it’s a solid full-day mission that usually takes most hikers around six to seven hours. If you’re looking for a quiet, remote-feeling trail close to Vancouver, this one delivers that “far from the city” vibe fast.

The route starts out on logging roads, which make for steady but not very exciting walking, before narrowing into rough singletrack as you get closer to Gambier Lake. The trail is well flagged, but sections are overgrown and can feel scrappy, so expect some bushwhacking and slower progress than the numbers suggest. Views are more about forest, clearcuts, and the satisfaction of reaching the lake than big alpine panoramas, but the sense of isolation on Gambier Island is a big part of the appeal.

Recent hikers report a rough, long hike with lots of logging road and super overgrown stretches that are still well marked but sometimes hard to follow underfoot. Bring a GPS track, extra water, and be ready for wet brush, mud, and a few confusing junctions, especially if your phone or app glitches. Gambier Lake trail is best from late spring through early fall when snow is gone and daylight is long; outside that window, expect slower going, more blowdown, and very few other people around, so plan accordingly and start early.