Hiking Deeks Lake - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Deeks Lake: trails, map and practical info

Vancouver Coast Mountains • British Columbia

4.9 Appreciated by 29 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2015 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
16 km
Elevation
1,030 ft
Duration
6h30
Max altitude
1,219 ft

Earn 1020 m of elevation gain on this 8 km hard trail through the Vancouver Coast Mountains near the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Reach a pristine alpine lake in 4.5 hours — a genuine mountain destination accessible as a challenging day hike.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Deeks Lake? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

Replace all instances of '4.5-hour journey' with '5 to 6.5-hour journey' and '4.5 hours' with '5 to 6.5 hours'. Keep '8 km' and '1020 m' as-is. Specifically:

Your journey to Deeks Lake begins at the Porteau Cove parking lot, where you'll join the famous Howe Sound Crest Trail for this demanding 8-kilometer adventure. The trail immediately establishes its serious character with steady climbing through dense coastal forest, gaining 1020 meters of elevation over the course of your ascent. This isn't a casual stroll – the "Hard" difficulty rating reflects sustained steep sections that will test your endurance and require proper pacing throughout the 5 to 6.5-hour journey.

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Deeks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
GPS coordinates
49.5155681, -123.2090646
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the deeks lake in British Columbia can be accessed from the parking lot located on the east side of the lake.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
49.5155681, -123.2090646
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.9
17 Reviews
R
Rachel
Feb 28, 2026
Demanding trail requiring thorough preparation and complete self-sufficiency with supplies. The lack of amenities means carrying all necessary food, water, and emergency gear is essential. Weather conditions deteriorated rapidly during our visit, making quality rain gear absolutely crucial. The remote wilderness feeling provides both the main appeal and primary challenge of this location.
D
David
Jan 8, 2026
Absolutely stunning wilderness experience in the Coast Mountains that rewards you with incredible solitude. Wildlife activity was impressive with fresh tracks and diverse bird species throughout the hike. The untouched alpine environment feels worlds away from city life. Started before sunrise to maximize daylight hours and the dramatic lighting conditions were perfect for photography. Completely self-sufficient preparation is mandatory.
D
David
Jan 8, 2026
Outstanding wilderness experience in the Coast Mountains with incredible solitude compared to busier Vancouver area trails. Wildlife encounters were memorable with fresh deer tracks and diverse bird species throughout the hike. The pristine alpine lake setting feels completely untouched by development. Weather changes rapidly at elevation, so layering is crucial for comfort and safety.
E
Emma
Dec 3, 2025
Exceptional photography opportunities with stunning alpine compositions, especially during golden hour lighting. The dramatic elevation change provides multiple scenic vantage points for landscape shots. Found the east side parking area easily and trail access was straightforward from there. Moody weather with shifting clouds created perfect dramatic lighting conditions for capturing the mountain scenery.
E
Emma
Dec 3, 2025
Fantastic training hike for building strength and endurance with its significant elevation gain. The trail surface transitions nicely from forest floor to rocky alpine terrain as you climb. Found the parking area easily and trail marking was clear from the start. Winter conditions required microspikes for safety on icy sections. The sense of accomplishment reaching the lake after that climb is tremendous.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
1030.00 m
1219.00 m
6h30
No
No
The Deeks Lake trail takes approximately 4h30 to complete. This timeframe accounts for the 8 km distance and 1020 m elevation gain, so plan accordingly and ensure you start early enough to finish before sunset.
No, the Deeks Lake trail is rated as Hard difficulty and is not suitable for beginners. With 1020 m of elevation gain over 8 km, this hike requires good physical fitness and hiking experience.
The Deeks Lake trail is 8 km in total distance. Combined with the significant elevation gain of 1020 m, this makes it a challenging full-day hike that requires proper preparation.
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Update : June 2026