Walk & Paddle Canada’s Sunshine Coast

Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver

Upon your arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you'll collect your rental car and drive to your first hotel in Vancouver to rest up before beginning your trip (approx. 30mins).
Overnight Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver (breakfast included).

Day 2: Around Gibsons, Sechelt & Roberts Creek

Drive to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (approx. 20mins) for your ferry to Gibsons (45mins). Enjoy some free time in Gibsons before checking in to your accommodation.

Choice of walks in Gibsons (2.7km/2km), Sechelt (8km/3km), and Roberts Creek (10.3km). Explore lush fern valleys, powerful waterfalls, mossy canyons, and alpine lakes across these incredibly varied walks.
Overnight Bonniebrook Lodge, Gibsons (breakfast included).

Day 3: Mount Elphinstone Summit Trail

Walk along Mount Elphinstone Summit Trail (12.6km), one of the highest peaks on the lower Sunshine Coast. Through forest, you'll follow the coloured markers as you climb along the ridge with glimpses of Langdale creek down below. From the summit, you'll be rewarded with expansive views to Vancouver, Gibsons, Bowen Island, and much of Howe Sound.
Overnight Bonniebrook Lodge, Gibsons (breakfast included).

Day 4: Sea Kayaking in Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt

Embark on your first guided sea kayaking tour around Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt Inlet (half-day). Explore the many protected inlets and coves along this beautiful section of the Sunshine Coast; kayaking routes can be adapted to suit your ability.

Spend the afternoon strolling the charming seaside towns of Sechelt and Gibsons, visiting the many eclectic shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes, or choose from our selection of walks in Gibsons (2.7km/2km), Sechelt (8km/3km), and Roberts Creek (10.3km).
Overnight Bonniebrook Lodge, Gibsons (breakfast included).

Day 5: Walk in Madeira Park & Halfmoon Bay

Wave goodbye to Gibsons as you drive to your next idyllic accommodation in Madeira Park. Here you have a wide variety of walks in Madeira Park (1.8km/2.5km/4.4km) and Halfmoon Bay (4.2km/7.6km).Visit the rocky outcrop of Smugglers Cove, loop around a forest lake, or visit the Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park with a protected archaeological site.

Stand-up paddleboards are available to rent from your accommodation should you wish to spend some time on the water with spectacular scenery all around.
Overnight Painted Boat Resort & Spa, Madeira Park (breakfast included).

Day 6: Walk in Madeira Park & Egmont and Bioluminescence Sea Kayaking

This morning, you can enjoy a scenic beach walk to a small lighthouse with an arbutus tree grove or take a forested walk to a rocky outcrop with views of the changing tidal waters. Known as Skookumchuk Narrows, these unique rapids and spectacular whirlpools are popular with extreme kayakers and surfers; fascinating to watch! Choice of walks in Madeira Park (1.8km/2.5km/4.4km) and Egmont (7.5km).

In the evening, you will embark on a 3hr guided sea kayaking tour from Egmont. Witness the waters and incredible marine life of the Sechelt Inlet awaken with a bioluminescent glow; an unforgettable experience!

Please note: Spotting bioluminescence is not guaranteed and will depend on the moon phase (new moon is best) and other weather conditions.
Overnight Painted Boat Resort & Spa, Madeira Park (breakfast included).

Day 7: Walks Around Powell River

Take the ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay (1h), then drive to Powell River (approx. 30mins).

After arriving on the ferry, we'd recommend a favourite walk amongst Powell River locals. As part of the renowned Sunshine Coast Trail, this relatively easy trail follows the riverbed and Appleton Creek to an iconic hut and lake with waterfalls and charming bridges along the way (7km).
Overnight Desolation Sound Resort, Powell River (breakfast included).

Day 8: Around Powell River & Lund

Choice of walks in Powell River (14.5km/18.3km) & Lund (4.5km/8.7km/10.4km). Enjoy a gentle trail through the forest with spots to swim or embark on a longer trail up Tin Hat Mountain to an iconic viewpoint and hut that sits at the halfway point of the Sunshine Coast long-distance trail. Tin Hat Hut is a stunning 360° mountain-top lookout with views that define the Powell River experience.

In Lund, wind your way through vibrant forest with views of Okeover Inlet and the Salish Sea. Another walk takes you to the mossy rainforest of Malaspina Provincial Park and Wednesday Lake or follow a picturesque trail along the coastal bluffs of Hurtado Bay.
Overnight Desolation Sound Resort, Powell River (breakfast included).

Day 9: Full Day Sea Kayaking Desolation Sound

Today, you get to experience a full day of guided sea kayaking from the serene Okeover Inlet to Desolation Sound (British Columbia's largest Marine park and world-class kayaking destination). This is a 7hr tour including lunch, although, shorter options are available at 3hrs or 5hrs that don't include Desolation Sound should you wish to adjust it.
Overnight Desolation Sound Resort, Powell River (breakfast included).

Day 10: Return to Vancouver

Take two ferries before driving back to Vancouver International Airport to return your rental car and fly home. Alternatively, you can add on one of our incredible optional extensions as below.

Day 11: Optional Extensions - Klahoose Wilderness Resort and/or Rocky Mountaineer

Klahoose Wilderness Resort: Add on 3 or 4 nights at the incredibly unique, Klahoose Wilderness Resort. This is a once in a lifetime Indigenous cultural experience, reflecting the Klahoose people's traditional values and exploring the diverse wildlife of Desolation Sound. Please enquire for prices.

This is the perfect add-on to our 8-night trip - 'Walking Canada's Sunshine Coast'. Ending in Desolation Sound Resort, it's a short 10min drive to Lund port where you're met by a Klahoose representative for your boat transfer to the resort (included - approx. 1hr); you can leave your hire car at Lund port (paid locally - approx. $10per day).

Rocky Mountaineer: Add on a 5 night rail journey through the Rockies with the unforgettable Rocky Mountaineer. Begin or end in Vancouver or Banff and visit Kamloops on this legendary 'First Passage to the West' adventure. Please enquire for prices.

Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver. Explore Stanley Park, take a small ferry to Granville Island or simply wander around this scenic, coastal city.
Overnight Vancouver.

Day 12: Optional Extension - Rocky Mountaineer

Day 2 - Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. Vancouver has activities for all interests, including visiting historic Gastown or dining in lively Yaletown. No matter what you choose to do, the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean surround you.
Overnight Vancouver.

Day 13: Optional Extension - Rocky Mountaineer

Day 3 - Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops, located in the heart of British Columbia. You'll see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like landscapes of BC interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate and the steep slopes of Thompson River.
Overnight Kamloops (breakfast and lunch included).

Day 14: Optional Extension - Rocky Mountaineer

Day 4 - Continue east towards the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Cross rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Rockies. Today's highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
Overnight Banff (breakfast and lunch included).

Day 15: Optional Extension - Rocky Mountaineer

Day 5 - Enjoy a free day in Banff where you can take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, relax in the hot springs, or book an excursion into the great outdoors.
Overnight Banff.