A moderate hike to a big view, with water along the way. Expect about 100 m of climbing; most people take 4.5 hours.
Moderate · route varies · +100 m climb · 4.5 hours · Dogs: check local rules
Further afield · ~240 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Skagit Valley) before you go.
From the Skagit Valley road south of Hope (26 Mile Bridge or Silvertip area), follow a leafy lane about 15 minutes to where Centennial Trail turns off, then take the Skagit River Trail through lodgepole pine and rhododendron, over a bluff with a view of Silvertip Mountain's glacier, and down to the milky-green river. Push through berry thickets and deadfall past a flood area, cross 28 Mile Creek on a log bridge and enter the Skagit River Cottonwoods Ecological Reserve with giant cottonwoods and cedars.
Trailhead location from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Dogs, transit, fees and closures change; check the official page.
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | Further afield |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Best June to October |
| Trailhead | Skagit Valley Provincial Park |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Better for older, fit kids or adults |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Views, Forest |
| Crowds | Not rated yet |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Skagit Valley) |
Bears are sometimes encountered. Flood damage and deadfall along the riverbank.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Skagit Valley) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About not listed (route varies) with roughly 100 m of elevation gain. Most people take 4.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Skagit Valley) before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Hikes with the best views · Lake hikes · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Skagit River Trail." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/skagit-river-trail/
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Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page
Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.
My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.
Cam Appleton