more stats
4,820 ft
Distance
703 ft
Climb
-93 ft
Descent
00:21:24
Avg time
612 ft
Altitude change
2,481 ft
Altitude min
3,161 ft
Altitude max
2,550 ft
Altitude start
3,163 ft
Altitude end
12.7%
Grade
-32.6%
Grade max
55.7%
Grade min
3,501 ft
Distance climb
778 ft
Distance down
541 ft
Distance flat
00:21:24
Avg time

Twenty-Seven Switchbacks Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Westside - Rainbow
    Whistler, British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 55 in E-Biking
    • 80 in Trail Running
    • 85 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #101979 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #64104 in E-Biking
    • #73053 in Trail Running
    • #72993 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Machine Groomed
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    Resort Municipality of Whistler

27 Switch Backs is one of the tougher ways to gain the flank on the Westside. Generally best avoided in preference to Ricks Roost climb. It can also be ridden as a descent, but there are far better options from the top.

Generally best only used as a climb when traversing South-North to avoid going back on yourself. Your legs will need to be very strong to ride all of this.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 11 miles average
6 Months
  • 60 rides
  • 18 miles avg distance
All
  • 335 rides
  • Last: Sep 13, 2026
c1c2c3c4
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
update trails status or condition

Twenty-Seven... Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Sep 16, 2026 @ 11:45am (America/Vancouver)
3 days
Aug 23, 2026 @ 3:05pm (America/Vancouver)
Aug 23, 2026
Jul 9, 2026 @ 3:26pm (America/Vancouver)
Jul 9, 2026
Jun 14, 2026 @ 6:00am (America/Vancouver)
Jun 14, 2026
Apr 17, 2026 @ 9:04pm (America/Vancouver)
Apr 17, 2026
 reporter
I cleared like what felt like at least 27 trees - good thing I brought extra fuel. There's one corner where a quintuple-trunk root ball has...
more »
Status:
on Sep 16, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 2.94 (13 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (1,930)
close
      Directions to twentyseven-switchbacks trailhead (50.130700, -122.994240)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      37 more »
      mtb
      84 |
      Sep 27, 2022 @ 3:32am
      Sep 27, 2022
      mtb
      70 |
      Aug 6, 2022 @ 2:37pm
      Aug 6, 2022
      mtb
      140 |
      Sep 15, 2019 @ 2:09pm
      Sep 15, 2019
      mtb
      125 |
      Sep 15, 2019 @ 2:08pm
      Sep 15, 2019

      Videos

      no videos have been added for Twenty-Seven Switchbacks yet, add a video.

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      645
      The Arbutus Routes - Beaver Ponds Danimal Loop (Intermediate)
      ★ 5.0 • 12 miles • 1,193 ft • 38 • Loop •
      An Introduction to Whistler's Westside trails. By following the Valley Trail along Lorimer road, you can...
      1251
      Whistler Triple Crown
      ★ 5.0 • 37 miles • 8,991 ft • 24 •
      Whistler's three classic runs in one ride. If you complete this you are a beast.
      795
      Back 69
      43 miles • 7,570 ft • 42 •
      Doing the back 40 and then more

      Trail Products

      2.5 ★★★★★
      13 Ratings
      5 ★ 8%
      4 ★ 8%
      3 ★ 23%
      2 ★ 46%
      1 ★ 15%

      6 Reviews & Comments

      uAlmZl
      Ran into momma bear with two new babies. Please give them a wide birth. Thanks.
      uAlmZl
      Ran into momma bear and two this years Cubs. Cute but please give them a wide birth.
      dwack9 dwack9
      It's classified as a black diamond on the signage, and lives up to that expectation....if you're up for a gut-bustin' heart-pumpin' challenge, choose this trail.

      We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

      Create a FREE account to view all trail reviews and much more.

      Create a Free Account

      Nearby Trails

      Westside - Rainbow

      • By delusional & contributors
      • #4831 - 7,240 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Twenty-Seven Switchbacks located?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks is located in Westside - Rainbow, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Westside - Rainbow trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 50.1307, -122.99424.
      ▼ How hard is Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 12.7%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks has 703 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 93 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,481 ft to 3,161 ft.
      ▼ Is Twenty-Seven Switchbacks a point to point trail?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is machine groomed.
      ▼ How long is Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks is 4,820 ft long. The trail type is machine groomed.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Twenty-Seven Switchbacks. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Twenty-Seven Switchbacks are:
      • June (77 activities)
      • August (24 activities)
      • May (23 activities)
      Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
      ▼ How do I access Twenty-Seven Switchbacks? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Twenty-Seven Switchbacks are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 24 minutes to ride Twenty-Seven Switchbacks. The trail is 4,820 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Twenty-Seven Switchbacks?
      Twenty-Seven Switchbacks is a moderately popular trail. There have been 1,941 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 1,930 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

      Hit the Trail

      Open in App

      Get this trail on your phone instantly.
      open trail in app

      Download Trail

      Save to wishlist, Garmin & download.
      save the trail

      Find Related Routes

      Find routes and users activities that include this trail.
      find routes for this trail

      You must enter a description before submitting.