10 of the Best Hikes Near Prince George, British Columbia

Michaela Ludwig

August 20, 2021

Prince George is British Columbia’s gateway to the north—and your gateway to adventure. The largest city in Northern BC offers easy access to hikes ranging from short, accessible jaunts right in-town to wilderness expeditions in the dense forests and tall peaks.

We’re narrowed down the choices to these 10 trails near Prince George, BC:

Cranbrook Hill Greenway Trail

Length: 18 km

Elevation gain: 380 m

The Cranbrook Hill Greenway Trail is easy to access, just outside of Prince George, and there are four different locations where you can hop on the trail. Starting near the University of Northern British Columbia, this is a point-to-point trail through the woods that ends near the Nechako River. The trail is hilly, with moderate slopes; and this is a multi-use trail, but no motorized vehicles are allowed. The trail is maintained by the Cranbrook Hill Greenway Society.

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Cottonwood Island Loop Trail

Length: 2.9 km

Elevation gain: 61 m

If you’re looking to spend some time with nature, but you don’t want to travel too far to do it, this is the trail for you. Located just on the edge of Prince George, and along the Nechako River, the Cottonwood Island Loop Trail is an easy walk that offers beautiful views. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the many carvings in the trees along the way! Previous hikers report this trail can be buggy in-season, so don’t forget to bring your bug spray along.

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L.C. Gunn Trail

Length: 7.4 km

Elevation gain: 258 m

This out-and-back trail is located on the outskirts of Prince George and will take you along the Fraser River for its entire length. The trail is rated as easy, but hikers have expressed the trail can be muddy so be prepared for slick trail conditions if it’s been raining recently.

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Ancient Forest Boardwalk Trail

Length: 2.7 km

Elevation gain: 256

Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park is an incredible inland temperate rainforest—the only such ecosystem in the world. This trail starts on 450 metres of accessible boardwalk before heading further into the park, with many boardwalked sections, to view epic old-growth Titans like the so-dubbed “Big” Tree, Tree Beard and Radies Tree, as well as a stunning waterfall. This park is about an hour’s drive from Prince George.

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Forests For The World Lookout

Length: 2.3 km

Elevation gain: 65 m

This is a great trail option if you want gorgeous views in a wilderness park right in the city of Prince George. Along the loop you can go down to Shane Lake, so bring along your fishing rod if you want to try your luck! There are several other trails in the area, be sure to bring a map so you know you’re following the right one.

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Rock Garden & Straight Shot

Length: 4.3 km

Elevation gain: 196 m

This trail option is two trails combined to make a decent-sized loop. Rated as easy, there’s plenty of opportunity for wildlife viewing along the way. There are other trails in the area, so be sure to bring a map. If you want to cut your hike short, you could cut through the middle of the loop by using the Old Cabin Trail. This is a forested area, so bring your bug spray too.

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Ridge Trail Lookout Loop

Length: 6.6 km

Elevation gain: 314 m

Located partially within the Pidherny Recreation Site, not far from downtown Prince George, this trail is rated as moderate and it offers great views of the Nechako River. This trail is also regularly used by mountain bikers, so be prepared to share the area. There are several other trails within the recreation site, so you’ll need a map to make sure you stay on track. Past hikers say this is also an excellent trail for snowshoeing in the winter.

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Sawmill Trail & Blue Spruce Connector Loop

Length: 5 km

Elevation gain: 111 m

This is another situation where two trails have been combined to make a longer loop. This trail will take you through some gorgeous forested areas, but be sure to pack some bug spray. There’s a good chance you’ll run into some wildlife along the way, so you might want to pack your camera too. Dogs are allowed along this trail, as long as they are leashed. The trailhead for this particular loop is located just off the Yellowhead Highway, outside of Prince George.

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Fort George Canyon Trail

Length: 13.2 km

Elevation gain: 436 m

Rated as moderate and located further away from Prince George than many of the other hikes on this list—but you’ll be happy you made the trek for this one! This is an out-and-back trail that ends at the river’s edge and the majority of the hike will take you through wooded areas. This would be a great option for you and your dog, with the chance to cool off in the water before heading back out. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

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Troll Lake

Length: 10.9 km

Elevation gain: 388 m

If you’re looking for a hidden gem not far from town, you’ve found it with this trail. This trail is rated as moderate loop, and it will take you to the small and lesser-known (but beautiful!) Troll Lake. If you enjoy this trail in the warmer months, pack up your cross-country skis and try this trail again in the winter months. There are also several other trails in the area, so get exploring!

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