6.6 miles
Distance
2,095 ft
Climb
-469 ft
Descent
02:46:10
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Elfin Lakes Trail

Elfin Lakes Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
    • Backcountry Ski
  • Riding Area
    Elfin Lakes / Red Heather / Paul Ridge
    Squamish, British Columbia
  • AKA
    Diamond Head
  • Difficulty Rating
    Green rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (2 votes)
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Doubletrack
  • Snow Grooming
    Backcountry
  • Bike Type
    XC, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    bike Jun-Nov ski Nov-May
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #46554 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #6875 in E-Biking
    • #17307 in Trail Running
    • #594 in Hiking
    • #180 in Snowshoeing
    • #223 in Skiing
  • Local Popularity
    60 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 85 in E-Biking
    • 50 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking
    • 85 in Snowshoeing
    • 5 in Skiing
  • Land Owner
    Garibaldi Provincial Park

This is the Elfin Lakes trail that is used by hikers and bikers in summer and skiers and snowshoers in the winter. It starts at 950m elevation and climbs to the ridge high point at 1,600m and then down to Elfin Lakes at 1,500m. The trail is 21km return. However, due to the rocky surface, this ride feels like a solid 30km. Bring the fattest tires you have and run them at low PSI for maximum enjoyment

There is a waterfall partway up and a few other sources of water as long as it has not been dry for too long.

Please note, cycling is prohibited around the lakes. Cycling is only permitted on the trail to the campground.

Access Info

Go up to Diamond Head parking lot.

Disclaimer

Warning: It's prohibited under the Parks Act to harvest anything in the park, including blueberries. Blueberries are an important food source for bear leading into hibernation.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Elfin Lakes multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    1,623 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,224 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,229 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,224 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,849 ft
  • Grade
    4.6%
  • Grade max
    -19.8%
  • Grade min
    32.9%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    344 ft
  • Avg time
    02:46:10
  • Avg reverse time
    02:08:28
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Oct 30, 2023
Snow Groomed
Avg: 3.55 (16 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to elfin-lakes trailhead (49.750160, -123.053020)
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      Elfin Lakes Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Oct 30, 2023 @ 11:23am
      Oct 30, 2023
      		 Climbing trail is great, 100% cyclebale from bottom to top. Some sections frozen or with really thick mud.
      Sep 10, 2023 @ 10:52am
      Sep 10, 2023
      		 Hiking trail, bike only detour section, become one with loose rocks as it is 70% of your day, nice lakes, great views.
      Aug 24, 2023 @ 5:58am
      Aug 24, 2023
      		 Loose rocks and an initial steep ascent made it challenging. Although, we powered up with backpacking packs on and I was able to ride the entire...
      Aug 1, 2023 @ 3:43pm
      Aug 1, 2023
      		 very rocky and steep in places, don't recommend an ebike here. i made it, but BARELY. had a couple sections where i had to walk the bike, and was...
      Jul 22, 2023 @ 7:28pm
      Jul 22, 2023
      		 Nice sunset ride on E-bike, loose and dusty
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 181 rides
      • 21 miles avg distance
      All
      • 704 rides
      • Last: Sep 24, 2023

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Photos

      more »
      33 |
      Jul 3, 2023 @ 1:50pm
      Jul 3, 2023
      107 |
      Sep 3, 2022 @ 5:10pm
      Sep 3, 2022
      100 |
      Sep 3, 2022 @ 5:10pm
      Sep 3, 2022
      605 |
      Feb 20, 2019 @ 4:56pm
      Feb 20, 2019

      Trail Lists

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      15 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber The Squamish Alpine is Magical
      23:14 | 1010 | Dec 12, 2021 , Squamish
      youtuber Elfin Lakes Tour by E-Bike, Yes it's Legal!
      20:34 | 119 | Aug 3, 2023 , Squamish
      youtuber Elfin Lakes, Squamish Trail On A Mountain Bike...
      10:59 | 2472 | Oct 16, 2017 , Squamish
      Elfin Lakes Trail - Squamish BC
      4:15 | 47 | Sep 16, 2023 , Squamish

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