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Hiking Golden Ears - panoramic view
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Hiking in the Golden Ears: trails, map and practical info

Vancouver Coast Mountains • British Columbia

Tackle the 24 km Golden Ears Summit trail in British Columbia's Vancouver Coast Mountains—a hard, full-day challenge with 1,500 m elevation gain rewarding hikers with 360-degree views from twin peaks that glow gold at sunrise. Located east of the Fraser Valley, this 8.5-hour expedition combines dense rainforest, alpine meadows, and rocky scrambles.

François Dumaine
François DumaineUpdated Oct 6, 2026
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24 km
Distance
8h30
Duration
1,500 m
Elevation
Difficulty
Hard
Max altitude
1,897 m
Dogs
Allowed
Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Golden Ears? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

1 community photos

Photos: The Cosmonaut — CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)

Trail description

The ultimate test in the park is the Golden Ears Summit trail, a demanding 24-kilometer round-trip expedition with 1500 meters of elevation gain that typically takes around 11-12 hours to complete. This hard-rated trail separates casual hikers from serious mountaineers, beginning with a steady climb through dense forest before transitioning through subalpine meadows and finishing with a challenging scramble over rocky terrain to reach the summit.

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The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

Get your free hiking checklist

Recommended gear for this trail

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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 $
See price
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 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Golden Ears, British Columbia V0M 1H0, Canada
GPS coordinates
49.3627777, -122.5074999
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The easiest way to get to the start of the trails at the golden ears is to take the Trans-Canada Highway to exit #122. From there, follow the signs to golden ears Provincial Park.

When?

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

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?

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Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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
Dogs allowed
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
49.3627777, -122.5074999
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Golden Ears is rated hard.
The elevation gain of Golden Ears is 1,500 m.
The summit of Golden Ears is at 1,897 m.
Allow about 8h30 for Golden Ears (24 km).
Yes, dogs are allowed at Golden Ears.
No, Golden Ears has no visitor centre on site.
No, the Golden Ears trail is rated as hard difficulty and is not suitable for beginners. With 24 km distance, 1500 m elevation gain, and an estimated 8h30 duration, this trail requires good physical fitness and hiking experience.
Yes, there are fees for both parking and park access at Golden Ears Provincial Park. Check the current rates and payment methods with BC Parks before your visit.
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Update : October 2026