10 of the Best Hikes Near Fort St. John, BC
Welcome to the Peace Country. As the largest city in northeastern British Columbia, Fort St. John is a vital regional hub for commerce and industry in the province’s north.
It’s also a hiking hub, though.
Yes, as the ideal jumping off point to explore the rolling hills, dense forests and riverways of the Peace River Valley, adventurous types find their fill in Fort St. John.
Here are 10 of our favourite hiking trails:
Cactus Loop Trails
Length: 1.8 km
Elevation gain: 69 m
Located a short drive from Fort St. John, the Cactus Trails trailhead is situated just off Cecil Lake Road. There are beautiful rock formations to explore along the way and the view is awesome. Leashed dogs are welcome. There is a set of stairs that marks the beginning of the trail, and if you’re up for an adventure there are quite a few trails in this area—if you were to do them together, you’d be hiking over 10 kilometres instead of the 1.8 kilometres for just this trail.
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Fish Creek
Length: 4 km
Elevation gain: 117 m
Fish Creek is a loop trail located just in the outskirts of Fort St. John. This forested trail is easy to follow, and it provides an excellent opportunity for spotting local wildlife. Leashed dogs are welcome.
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Willow Loop
Length: 5 km
Elevation gain: 113 m
Beatton Provincial Park is located a short distance from Fort St. John, and it sits on the edge of Charlie Lake. Beatton Provincial Campground is also nearby, making this a great weekend getaway, located just off Road 271. You’ll be in the forest for most of the hike. Be sure to bring your camera, as well as your bathing suit (or fishing rod) if you plan to stop at Charlie Lake on your way around.
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Charlie Lake Loop
Length: 4.5 km
Elevation gain: 149 m
Located on the other side of Charlie Lake from Beatton Provincial Park, in Charlie Lake Provincial Park, this is another straightforward loop trail for you to explore. Situated just off the Alaska Highway, there is the Charlie Lake Campground here as well. This trail takes you right along the lake for a portion, and the views are beautiful.
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Fort St. John Circuit
Length: 12.6 km
Elevation gain: 125 m
This loop trail will take you all around the city of Fort St. John, along paved paths. There is a section that runs parallel to the highway—you’ll need to use the sidewalk along this part. This trail is a perfect solution if you want to get outside, but don’t want to travel to far for your adventure. Bring your dog, your rollerblades, your bike—whatever gets you out and exploring! The trail is accessible all year long and along the north end you’ll find interesting astronomical information signs about the sun and surrounding planets.
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Peace Island Loop
Length: 2.4 km
Elevation gain: 34 m
The Peace Island Loop is located not far from Fort St. John, closer to the town of Taylor, just off Highway 97. To access the loop, you cross a causeway over the Peace River to an island. There is a gazebo and a playground on the island, in addition to the trail. Be sure to bring your camera along on this trip, and you could even pack a lunch and stay a while! The path is partially paved and great for many skill levels.
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Rim Rocks Trail
Length: 7.4 km
Elevation gain: 147 m
Located about an hour outside of Fort St. John within the Bear Mountain Wind Park, this out-and-back trail is rated as moderate. Not only does this trail provide sweeping views of the area, you’ll also be walking amongst giant wind turbines. This is a great hike for the family, and the unique landscape offers a different view from other hikes in the area.
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Pine River Break Trail
Length: 4.3 km
Elevation gain: 133 m
The Pine River Break Trail is about an hour-and-a-half from Fort St. John and it offers beautiful views of the river valley area. This is an out-and-back trail. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, but there are no water features along the way so don’t forget to pack water for you and your furry companion.
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Martin Falls
Length: 0.8 km
Elevation gain: 29 m
This is a short and sweet, out-and-back trail that takes you to Martin Falls. There’s a steep descent if you want to get down to the water, but previous hikers have said that during the summer months, the water is warm and excellent for swimming. The trailhead is located off Highway 29 and there is parking available.
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Cecil Lake Highway Trail Loop
Length: 9.5 km
Elevation gain: 336 m
Situated on the outskirts of Fort St. John, this trail is rated as moderate. The trail follows Cecil Lake Road for a portion, and then circles back into forested area for the rest. Dogs are welcome along this trail, as long as they are leashed. Bring your camera along for this trip in case you spot any wildlife along the way.
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Find More BC Hikes:
25 Incredible Hiking Trails in British Columbia
