Slhanay Trail to Slhanay Peak Squamish BC

The Slhanay Trail in Squamish British Columbia is one of the best things to do in Squamish in summer.

The town of Squamish is the adventure capital of Canada and is home to some of the best hikes near Vancouver, as well as other adventures. The Slhanay Peak trail is just one of these hikes!

It can be a little tricky to find the route on this trail, but with this guide (and a hiking app like AllTrails+) you should be able to get around this loop hiking trail in Squamish with no issues.

This is one of my favorite Squamish hiking trails that I’ve done multiple times. It offers amazing views of the Stawamus Chief (The Chief), as well as downtown Squamish and surrounding mountains. It’s also far less crowded than some of the other popular hikes in Squamish making it one BC hike you’ll need to add to your list!

Slhanay Trail Hiking Guide

Slhanay Peak (might see it spelled Shlaney or named Stawamus Squaw), is an intermediate to difficult Squamish hike with amazing views if you know where to go!

Unlike most hikes, the best views on the Slhanay trail aren’t from the summit, rather they’re from a bit further down.

The views are similar to those from Mt Crumpit, but arguably slightly better and the hike is more challenging too.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Slhanay Trial Hike Stats

• Distance: 6 km (ish – varies depending on the exact route taken)
• Difficulty: Intermediate – Hard
• Elevation: 650 m
• Shlanay trailhead & Shlanay Trail Parking: Around 1.7km down Mamquam Forest Service Road (one of the busier Squamish Forest Service Roads) outside of Squamish. Parking is at the side of the road. There is usually a spot along this road, but it does get busy with climbers and other hikers too so arriving earlier in the day is best.

Hiking Slhanay Peak

This trail isn’t the easiest to follow, therefore I strongly recommend downloading the Shlanay trail map from AllTrails (I use this as my Squamish trail map) and adding it to your phone before leaving for this hike.

After you’ve parked up on the road, look for some flagging in the trees on the right-hand side (just past a small, open gravel area and boulder field.

You’ll start by hiking into a thick forest typical of the West Coast and many of the hikes in this area. After a couple of minutes, you’ll reach the first steep section.

At the top of this climb, you’ll come to a fork in the trail. Here, you should turn left and remember to refer to your GPS map to make sure you’re on the right track!

The next part of the trail involves some navigation of roots and rocks as you continue up through the forest. There are some orange markers around, and if you’re used to navigating BC trails, you shouldn’t have any difficulties.

As you continue, you’ll come out to a huge granite rockface, and the chances are you’ll hear a few climbers shouting “take” or “climb on” as this is a popular Slhanay climbing route in the area. Soon you’ll be at the top of this!

Follow the trail to the right of the rockface, and hike the dirt switchbacks until you reach another junction. Make a right here.

At this point, the trail gets very narrow so take your time as you don’t want to slip!

After following along this rock face for a few minutes you will then head back into the forest before climbing a steep section of dirt switchbacks.

At the top of the switchbacks is another junction and you will need to take the path to the right.

The Slhanay Trail Viewpoints

As you go around the corner, you come out at Poxy Crag viewpoint marked by a small wooden sign. Follow this trail a little and you’ll get to an opening with nice views of downtown Squamish and a glimpse of the Chief.

Return to the main trail and take the next slight detour to The Valley. This also is marked by a small wooden sign and the viewpoint is even better!

Return to the main trail again and take the path to the left at the next junction. Shortly after this, there’s a four-way crossing. Go left again. Continue slightly uphill and ignore the trail to the left for now.

Around 3km into the hike, you’ll come to the turnoff for Tony’s Lookout Squamish which is the best viewpoint of the hike and the main area people want to get to when they do the Shlanay trail.

Keep an eye on the GPS and the trees to spot a small path and wooden sign.

The views from this lookout are mostly of The Chief and they’re great! There’s also a bench here which makes the perfect spot to take a break.

Slhanay Peak

From here, you can continue to the peak by rejoining the main trail and then continuing until you reach a logging road (a wider trail through the woods). You may see a few cars here as it’s part of the Slhanay Squamish mountain biking trails.

Turn left here and continue on the path for about 350m, keeping your eyes open until you see a path go off into the woods on your left. This path is probably the hardest to spot, so you’ll need to be paying attention!

The climb from here is a little steeper but it soon flattens out slightly. At the next crossroads, you should take the left path.

The final part of the trail up to the peak takes you up over a rocky outcrop and from up here you can enjoy views of Squamish, the mountains to the north, and Garibaldi too.

To return you can follow the route you took to get up here.

Or, as you’ll see on the All Trails map, there’s a slightly different loop you can do to make it more of a loop trail.

However, this is pretty steep so only attempt if you’re prepared for it.

Things to know before doing the Slhanay Peak Hike

Before doing one of my favorite hikes in Squamish, here are a few things to know before you go.

• Wildlife: Be aware of wildlife such as bears and cougars. Familiarize yourself with safety guidelines for encounters and always carry bear spray with you.
• Weather: Squamish weather can change rapidly. Check the forecast and be prepared for sudden rain or temperature drops.
• Trail Etiquette: Stay on the designated path to minimize environmental impact and yield to uphill hikers.
• Cell Service: Reception can be patchy. Inform someone of your plans before heading out.
• Dogs: If bringing a pet, keep them on a leash at all times for their safety and the safety of wildlife.
• Leave No Trace: Pack out everything you bring in. Leave the trail as you found it or better.
• Views: The trail offers incredible views of Howe Sound and Stawamus Chief Mountain, so don’t forget your camera!
• Physical Condition: Some sections involve steep climbs and require a good level of fitness.
• Safety: Always carry a basic first aid kit and be aware of the nearest emergency services.
• Slhanay Trail Mountain Bike: The Slhanay Trail route set out above is primarily a hiking trail, but there are some mountain biking trails. TrailForks is the best place to look for mountain bike trails in Squamish.

What to pack for the Slhanay hike Squamish

Below are some recommendations on what to pack for hiking in Squamish. You may need to modify and adjust this depending on the season, weather, and what trail you’re hiking. I go into more detail in my guide to what to pack for day hikes.

• Backpack: A comfortable and waterproof backpack suitable for the length of your hike.
• Garmin InReach SOS device
• Footwear: Good hiking boots or trail running shoes.
• Clothing Layers: BC’s weather can change rapidly. Wear moisture-wicking base layers, a warm insulating layer, and a waterproof and windproof outer layer.
• Rain Gear: Always carry a lightweight rain jacket or poncho, even if the forecast looks clear.
• Hat and Sunglasses: Protection against sun, rain, and low-hanging branches.
• Gloves: Lightweight gloves for cooler mornings or higher elevations.
• Map and Compass: Even if you have a GPS, always carry a physical map and compass as a backup.
• Water: At least 2 liters, more for longer hikes or if there are no reliable water sources on the trail.
• Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, and other high-energy, lightweight foods.
• Lunch: If your hike will span meal times, pack a non-perishable lunch.
• First Aid Kit: Basics like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, and pain relievers.
• Personal Identification: Including any necessary permits or passes.
• Emergency Whistle: Can be heard over longer distances than shouting.
• Multi-tool or Knife: Useful for repairs and emergencies.
• Headlamp: With extra batteries, in case your hike takes longer than anticipated.
• Sunscreen: Even on cloudy days, UV radiation can be strong.
• Insect Repellent: Especially important in areas known for mosquitoes.
• Bear Spray: Essential in many parts of BC where bears are common.
• Toilet Paper and Sanitation Trowel: For responsible waste disposal. Pack out used toilet paper in a sealed plastic bag. Or use a Kula cloth!
• Trekking Poles: Helpful for stability and can reduce strain on knees; especially when going downhill.
• Emergency Shelter or Bivy: A lightweight tarp or emergency blanket for unexpected situations.
• Water Filter or Purification Tablets: If you plan to source water along the trail.
• Mobile Phone: Fully charged, with emergency numbers saved. Reception may be spotty, but it’s still a valuable tool. Pack a portable battery pack too for longer hikes.
• Extra Ziplock Bags or Trash Bags: To pack out trash or keep items dry.
• Camera or Binoculars: Optional, for capturing views or observing wildlife.

Remember, BC’s wilderness can be unpredictable. Always be prepared, inform someone of your plans, and respect the environment.

FAQs about the Slhaney Trail in Squamish

Final thoughts on the Slhanay trail Squamish BC

The Slhanay Trail in Squamish, BC, has loads of beautiful panoramic views, and challenging terrain, and is one of the less busy hikes in Squamish. It’s one of my favorite trails to hike around Vancouver and you get so many good viewpoints of Squamish.

If you’re looking for more hikes in Squamish, check out the Brohm Lake and Tantalus Lookout trail, tackle to Sea to Summit trail, or the Mount Crumpit trail which has similar views of The Stawamus Chief.

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by Hannah