British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure 2024/2025

Helicopter deep into Canada's backcountry and immerse yourself in pristine alpine wilderness on this British Columbia Hut to Hut Hiking Adventure.

This backcountry hiking trip invites you to explore some of the lesser-trekked trails of British Columbia's Esplanade Range. On your way toward jumping off the grid, visit two of Canada's most beloved national parks – Kootenay and Yoho. Your expert guides then usher you up to the Canadian backcountry, hopping in a helicopter for a quick ride up to your starting point – Sunrise Lodge. By day you'll hike along secluded trails, delightfully disconnected from hectic schedules and entirely immersed in the beauty around you. By night, you'll rest your muscles and feast on fresh meals whipped up by a private chef. The unspoiled alpine wilderness will enchant you and restore you as you trek the trails of Canada's famed backcountry.

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Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.

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British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Calgary Trip End: Calgary

Download our Handy Trip itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip

Day 1Meet group in Calgary, travel to Golden with short hikes along the way
Day 2Helicopter to Sunrise Lodge, hike along Paradise Ridge to Meadow Lodge
Day 3Hike Meadow Lodge to Vista Lodge
Day 4Hike Vista Lodge to Sentry Lodge
Day 5Explore trails around Sentry Lodge
Day 6Helicopter to Golden, explore Lake Louise and say your goodbyes!

Day 1

Meet group in Calgary, travel to Golden with short hikes along the way

Welcome to your Canadian backcountry exploration! After a morning pickup, you'll set off on a day of short, scenic hikes near Golden. You’ll begin with a welcome meeting and an easy stroll among towering peaks and photo-op-worthy bridges at Cascade Ponds. From there, you’ll head to the sleepy ski town of Golden, British Columbia, and up to Kicking Horse Resort. Enjoy lunch at the Eagle’s Eye Resort at 7,700 feet on the ridge of Terminator Peak. The alpine ridgeline hiking at Kicking Horse is unparalleled and uncrowded.

You’ll arrive in town this evening where you’ll get ready for your 4-day backcountry hiking experience with a packing discussion and run down of the week ahead with your guides.|
Accommodation: Mountain View Inn
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 3-6 miles (5-10 kilometers)
Day 2

Helicopter to Sunrise Lodge, hike along Paradise Ridge to Meadow Lodge

After breakfast at a popular local cafe, you'll arrive at Sunrise Lodge the only way you can – via helicopter! Just a short 5-minute ride brings you to the gateway of the Esplanade Range, the northernmost tip of the Purcell Mountains.

As you hike along Paradise Ridge, soak in the commanding views of the Canadian Rockies to the east, the Purcells to the south, and the Selkirks to the west. Enjoy a midday rest and a picnic lunch along the trails before setting off to Meadow Lodge, one of the highest alpine huts in Canada and your home for the evening.

Tonight, your personal backcountry chef will whip up dinner for you and your fellow hikers.
Accommodation: GAH-Meadow Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Minimum 3 miles (5 kilometers), 4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: Minimum 1,150 feet (355 meters) ascent, 1,000 feet (300 meters) descent
Notes: Creek crossings, boulder fields, off trail routes and some trails
Day 3

Hike Meadow Lodge to Vista Lodge

An alpine wonderland few get to experience lies before you today. After breakfast, you’ll begin another day hiking along stunning and secluded trails where wild beauty thrives. And mountain goats, too! Feast your eyes on an endless panorama of sky-skimming peaks and fill your stomach with a hearty midday lunch on the trail.

On your way to Vista Lodge, you’ll hike through picturesque alpine meadows and spy the sparkling waters of Vista Lake. You'll have options to summit several different peaks along the way as you hike towards your private mountain hut for the night.
Accommodation: GAH-Vista Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Minimum 4 miles (6 kilometers), 5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: Minimum 1,200 feet (395 meters) ascent, 1,500 feet (470 meters) descent
Notes: Creek crossings, boulder fields, off trail routes and some trails
Day 4

Hike Vista Lodge to Sentry Lodge

Step out onto the alpine meadow doorstep of Vista Lodge and hike the peaks and ridges toward Sentry Lodge, the “Crown Jewel of the Esplanade.” Climb over the ‘Col of the Wild’ and learn about the local tradition at the top. Wander through unspoiled, untracked alpine meadows in the headwaters of Colpitti Creek. But before you relax your delightfully tired muscles in its legendary sauna, you’ll enjoy a trailside lunch and traverse the ridgeline to wonder at the untouched alpine beauty all around you.

A new-era backcountry lodge, Sentry offers plenty of space, stellar views, running hot and cold water supplied by Tetras Lake, and even Wi-Fi! But, with the views, good company, and natural treasures surrounding you, you’re just as likely to forget you even brought your phone.
Accommodation: GAH-Sentry Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Minimum 4.5 miles (7 kilometers), 6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: Minimum 1,500 feet (475 meters) ascent, 1,725 feet (525 meters) descent
Notes: Creek crossings, boulder fields, off trail routes and some trails
Day 5

Explore trails around Sentry Lodge

You’ll spend the day hiking the network of meadows and ridges that surround Sentry Lodge. Perhaps you’ll take a dip in an alpine lake along the way to cool off and revitalize your senses. Learn why it’s called Unicorn Lake, walk Cowboy Ridge, and soak in the glacier-draped mountain majesty, or wander alpine meadows with no trails discovering the wildflowers that make their home up high.

Today is a day purely intended to explore the secluded wonderland the mountains hold with your expert guides. This evening, rest up and relax with your fellow trekkers and relive the lifelong memories made this week.
Accommodation: GAH-Sentry Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: Options for 2-3 mile (3.2-4.8 kilometers) loop, 2 hours; 4-5 mile (6.4-8 kilometers) loop 4 hours; 5-7 mile loop (8-11 kilometers), 6 hours
Day 6

Helicopter to Golden, explore Lake Louise and say your goodbyes!

Bid the backcountry farewell this morning and catch a helicopter ride back to town. In just 12 short minutes, civilization comes roaring back to life. On your way back to Calgary, enjoy a lunch stop and a stop at Lake Louise to find out why its beauty has captivated visitors for over 100 years.

Later this afternoon, we’ll drop you off at the airport, refreshed and renewed after your backcountry expedition.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Included

5 nights’ accommodation
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Our own highly experienced guides, with you from start to finish
Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your trip
Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
Delicious snacks to keep you fuelled
Special ‘Wow’ moments you'll never forget
All activities outlined in the itinerary
All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern and comfortable!
Helicopter ride to Golden

What Our Guests Say

Photos from the British Columbia Hut to Hut Hiking Trip

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Useful Information

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are the Hotel 11 by Sonesta at 7am, or the Sheraton Suites Eau Claire at 7:30am. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at either of these hotels directly or any other hotel in Calgary, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at a hotel of your choice in Calgary around 5pm.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Calgary at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: We do not recommend flying out of Calgary on the last day of the trip. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

The Huts used for these trips offer comfortable bedding, a large common area, and plenty of great views of the surronding mountain landscape. Also, there are no traditional showers/bathrooms. Instead there are two outhouses at each hut and a sauna for a bucket bath and relaxation.

Please be aware the huts will not have any laundry facilities so we recommend bringing enough clothing to not have to do laundry during your trip.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 120 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement.

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

You’ll need a solid level of fitness, with moderate to strenuous hikes of 4-6 hours, with elevation gains and losses of up to 500m. Although the paths are quite well-kept, the terrain often tends to be very stony and rocky on the mountains. You will be hiking on footpaths and mountain trails, so be prepared for a few steeper passages. While you don’t have to be extremely fit, you should be in the habit of doing regular aerobic exercise, ideally involving some up hills and down hills and perhaps even carrying a pack! With a little preparation before your trip begins, you’ll enjoy the active and outdoor nature of your trip all the more.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

Most other travel companies charge all solo travellers a single supplement fee. We don’t! When it comes to accommodation, our trip fares are based on a twin-share rate, which means we’ll match you up with another person to share a room with. If there’s no one to share with, there’s no forced single supplement!

* Due to limited rooming options on this trip, we cannot offer private rooms to solo travellers for a single supplement fee.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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