Trails & Hiking
From a 20-minute lakefront loop to a 1,100-metre summit day, Silvermere trails cover the full spectrum. Here are the ones locals actually walk.
Step off any Silvermere street and you're within fifteen minutes of a trail. Cottonwood bottoms along the lakeshore, ridges that look down on the lake meeting the lake, alpine meadows that hold wildflowers into August, and one of the best-reviewed mountain bike rides in the West Highlands. This page is the short list, the trails people actually walk, in rough order from easiest to hardest.
Tip
Before you head out, four-step check
- Check current trail conditions before you go for the trail you picked. Snow lingers high into June; closures happen.
- Tell someone your plan and rough return time. Cell coverage is patchy in the backcountry.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Black bears are throughout the West Highlands April through November. See Bear Smart Silvermere.
- Check the forecast. Mountain weather changes fast, especially above tree line.
Eight trails worth knowing.
Ordered from the easiest in-town loop to the hardest summit day. Distances and elevations are approximate; verify current conditions before heading out.
Lantern Bay Park Lakeshore Loop
Easy- Distance
- About 2 km
- Time
- 20 to 30 min
- Elevation
- Flat
- Where
- In town, 100 5th Street
A paved lakeshore loop along Silver Lake with benches, swimming ponds, playground, and the Pavilion mid-route. The evening default for half of Silvermere.
Best for: Families, strollers, sunset walks, running
Local tip: Evening light on the lake after 6 p.m. is the photo. Bring coffee, walk slow.
Cottonwood Point Loop
Easy- Distance
- About 1 to 1.5 km
- Time
- 20 to 40 min
- Elevation
- Flat
- Where
- 901 7th Avenue
A flat lakeshore loop through a pocket of old-growth cottonwoods at The Narrows, where Silver Lake narrows between the mountains. Ancient pit-house depressions along the point predate the city by millennia.
Best for: Out-of-town visitors, history buffs, rainy days
Local tip: Walk out to the tip of the point and look across the water. That's where Silver Lake narrows between the mountains.
Cedar Creek Trail
Easy- Distance
- About 3 to 4 km return
- Time
- 45 to 90 min
- Elevation
- Mild (under 150 m)
- Where
- Silvermere, edge of Cedar Flats
A gentle creek-side trail through conifer forest on the outskirts of town. Quieter than Lantern Bay Park, shaded through summer, and often passable well into late fall.
Best for: Quiet forest walks, birders, shoulder-season outings
Local tip: Carries wildlife traffic. Make noise, especially in berry season.
Raven Point Loop
Moderate- Distance
- About 3 to 5 km depending on route
- Time
- 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Elevation
- Around 300 m
- Where
- Above Silvermere, short drive from downtown
A moderate climb to the panoramic vantage point above town. From the top you can see Cedar Creek spreading into Silver Lake below, with the Silvercrest Mountains framing the valley. The definitive 'this is where we live' view of Silvermere.
Best for: Sunset photos, short-but-real climbs, first-time visitors who want the view
Local tip: Start 90 minutes before sunset. The alpenglow on the ridges across the valley is ridiculous in October.
Yellow Pine Trail, Cedar Point
Easy- Distance
- About 3 km return
- Time
- 1 hour
- Elevation
- Gentle
- Where
- Cedar Point, ~20 min NW of Silvermere
A short, interpretive trail through ponderosa pine forest above the Silver Lake narrows at Cedar Point, one of the Highlands' best-loved lakeshore spots. Combine with a swim at the main beach for a proper summer day.
Best for: Families, beach + walk combos, summer swimming days
Local tip: Parking fills on July/August weekends before noon. Arrive early or go mid-week.
Granite Bluff Ridge Access
Moderate- Distance
- Varies by chosen spur
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours typical
- Elevation
- 300 to 500 m
- Where
- Ridge above Silvermere
Ridge-line terrain above town with sightlines in multiple directions. Several access points; routes vary from well-worn to faint depending on the season.
Best for: A harder Raven Point alternative when you want more vertical
Local tip: Check the Silvercrest Trails Society map for the current preferred approach, the formal trailheads shift year to year.
Glory Peak
Hard- Distance
- About 15 km return
- Time
- 6 to 8 hours
- Elevation
- Around 1,100 m
- Where
- Silvercrest Mountains, ~35 min drive SW of Silvermere
The classic West Highlands summit day. An old weather-station shelter at the top marks the summit. Alpine meadows in July, far-off valley views in every direction. One of the most-hiked peaks in the region and probably the best-reviewed big hike out of Silvermere.
Best for: Peak-baggers, summer fitness hikes, wildflower season
Local tip: Snow lingers on the approach into late June. Mid-July through September is the sweet spot. Afternoon thunderstorms are real, finish the summit by early afternoon.
Greystone Ridge Trail
Expert- Distance
- About 35 km point-to-point
- Time
- 5 to 8 hours on a bike; a long day hiking
- Elevation
- Significant, multiple summits
- Where
- Silvercrest Mountains, upper trailhead at Summit Pass
Epic-grade backcountry singletrack. One of the finest ridgeline traverses in the West Highlands. Most riders shuttle it from Summit Pass down to the Silvermere side. Hikers typically cherry-pick a section rather than the full 35 km.
Best for: Experienced mountain bikers and fit hikers doing a single peak section
Local tip: Silvermere is the natural basecamp: finish the ride, shower, eat downtown, sleep. Book a summer shuttle in advance, they fill on peak weekends.
How locals think about the list
A few patterns that aren't obvious if you're new to town:
- The lakeshore trails eat the weeknight. Lantern Bay Park, Cottonwood Point, and the Lakeline are how most residents move outside after work. They don't require planning, gear, or a drive.
- Raven Point is the introduction. Every long-time Silvermere local has taken someone up Raven Point at sunset. It's the three-hour version of “let me show you why we live here.”
- Cedar Point is the summer family default. When the swimming ponds at Lantern Bay Park get crowded, locals drive 20 minutes to Cedar Point for the beach and the short Yellow Pine walk.
- Glory Peak is the bucket-list hike. Every West Highlands resident with fit legs has a Glory Peak summit photo somewhere. July and August are the window.
- Greystone Ridge is for experts. It's not a trail most residents do, it's a bucket-list ride that brings riders to Silvermere from all over North America. If you're newer to backcountry riding, build up through the local trails first. See the Greystone Ridge listing above.
Tip
Check current conditions, not just this page
What to bring
Kit depends on the length and season, but a baseline list for any Silvermere trail beyond the lakefront:
- Water (at least 1 L for easy, 2 to 4 L for big days)
- Layers valley weather in the morning is not the weather on a ridge at noon
- Bear spray on anything beyond the downtown loops, and know how to use it
- Sun protection (the valley is high UV, especially on exposed ridges)
- Snack calories (more than you think for climbing days)
- Offline map (cell coverage drops fast once you leave town)
- Trip plan shared with someone where you're going, when you expect to be back
- Headlamp any hike that might touch dusk
Heads up
Wildlife is real here
Trail seasons in Silvermere
- Spring (March, May): low-elevation trails open first. Expect mud and spring runoff on lakeshore trails. Snow lingers on ridges into June.
- Summer (June, August): peak season. Most trails dry and accessible. Heat and sun on exposed ridges, early or late starts. Watch wildfire alerts.
- Fall (September, October): arguably the best month. Cool temperatures, dry trails, low bug pressure, larch yellow in the higher elevations.
- Winter (November, March): snowshoe, cross-country ski, or fat bike. Many backcountry trails become inaccessible. Pay attention to avalanche bulletins if you're in terrain above tree line.
Nearby trails worth the drive
Silvermere sits at the centre of a bigger network. Within a 30 to 60 minute drive you can reach:
- The Silvercrest backcountry (Glory Peak, Greystone Ridge, the high alpine bowls): 30 min SW
- Pine Ridge trails (Pulpit Bluff, Flagstaff, Elephant Knob): 45 min east
- Cedar Point & the lower lake: 20 min NW
- Highland Wilderness Park (day hikes and multi-day routes): 1.5 hours north up the valley
- Crystal Glacier Park: 1 hour north-east
Trail etiquette
Pack out everything you pack in (including dog waste bags). On multi-use trails, yield uphill to descending mountain bikers and announce yourself on blind corners. Stay on the tread, cutting corners erodes trails for everyone behind you. Respect closures; they exist for a reason (wildlife, restoration, hazards).
Common questions
What's the best easy hike right in town?
If I only have one afternoon and want the best view, what do I pick?
Where do families usually go?
Is Glory Peak hard?
Is Greystone Ridge a hiking trail?
Are bears really a concern?
Where can I take my dog?
What about winter?
Where do I find a current trail map?
Is there a trail for wheelchairs or mobility devices?
What to do next
Emberbay
Floating wood-fired saunas on the lake.
The Eyrie
Ride the Skyline tramway to a clifftop teahouse.
Quicksilver Cove
Swim inside a drowned silver mine.
Lakeline Bike Network
Multi-use paths connecting the city.
Bear Smart Silvermere
Read this before any backcountry day.
Active alerts
Wildfire, smoke, and closures that can affect trails.
Still need help?
Talk to City Hall
- Phone
- 250-555-0100
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
- In person
- City Hall, 100 Lakeshore Avenue, Silvermere, BC
Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.
Trail descriptions reference City of Silvermere parks information and the Silvercrest Trails Society. Distances, elevations, and times are approximate, verify current conditions before you go. Wildlife guidance follows Silvermere WildSafe.