Hiking The Chief In Squamish (2026 Squamish Local Guide)

Hiking The Chief is one of the most iconic things to do in Squamish. Nearly everyone who visits needs to get a photo at the top for the 'gram. Because if you didn't climb The Chief, did you even visit Squamish?

I'll admit though, I lived in Squamish for a few months before I actually got myself up there. It's not a technically challenging hike, and it's not that long, but boy oh boy is it a grind. The hike to the first peak is relatively straightforward, but if you're heading to the second or third peak, you will need to make that choice before you hit the trail. This guide goes over all the details you need to know for the hike and the multiple route options.

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Last updated 2026-08-02

Brief Summary

Distance	Elevation	Time	Type	Difficulty
4.5 km	700 m	3 h	out and back

Distance

4.5 Km

Elevation

700 M

Time

3 H

Type

Out And Back

Difficulty

Park here.
Follow this map.
Pay attention to signs pointing to the first and second peak. You want to follow the signs to First Peak
The hike takes around 2 hours of moving time at a steady pace + lots of time for water breaks.
Pack lots of water.
Have fun!

Understanding The Three Peaks

The bare granite cliff faces of the Stawamus Chief with the Sea to Sky Highway running beneath it.

It's a straightforward trail, but pull it up on AllTrails, and you might get a little confused, since there are quite a few route options listed on the app.

There are 3 peaks on The Chief, but this isn't a hike where you pass each one on your way to the next. Most people just hike to First Peak. That's the iconic one, the view everyone's actually after. From First Peak, if you wanted to continue on to Second or Third Peak, you'd need to backtrack down the trail a bit, then circle around separately to reach them.

If Second or Third Peak is the goal, I'd actually suggest a different route entirely, often referred to as the Stawamus Squaw or Slhanay route. It doesn't start from the main parking lot. Instead, you head up the Mamquam FSR, park along the road, and take that trail up the backside of The Chief instead.

Hiking To First Peak

A wooden staircase climbing steeply up into the forest near the base of the Stawamus Chief Hike

A natural staircase of rocks and roots climbing steeply up into the forest near the base of the Stawamus Chief Hike

First Peak is the iconic one, and it's where almost everyone ends up. Parking is free at the base, and a short, mostly flat trail winds through the campground before connecting to where the real trail begins. You'll know it's starting for real once you hit the first wooden staircase. Consider that your not-so-subtle foreshadowing for what the next few hours of your life are going to look like.

From that first staircase all the way to the peak, it's essentially vertical the entire way. Sometimes it's man-made staircases like that first one; other times it's whatever nature provides: stone steps, root systems, that kind of thing. There isn't a ton to say about the actual climb itself, because for a long stretch you're just huffing and puffing up one staircase after another.

The trail itself is easy to follow. There are a few forks where you can branch off toward Second or Third Peak instead, but they're clearly signed, so it's hard to get lost.

Things get more interesting near the top, where a couple of ladders are bolted into the granite face to help you get past sections steeper than anything you've tackled so far.

The final push is a steep incline along an exposed granite face. There kind of stops being a trail here since the face is huge and there is no dirt, roots, or bushes to carve a trail through. As long as you're going up, you're going in the right direction, and you're very close to the peak.

Once you've arrived at the peak, you'll want to be careful. There are no fences or railings, and it's an absolutely sheer drop. It's safe, and there's plenty of flat-ish ground to rest and take in the view. But last time I was up there, someone dropped their water bottle, and it started rolling toward the edge, and his friend took off after it at full sprint, hurtling toward that sheer drop to catch it with a split second to spare. My heart was racing watching that more than it ever did during the actual climb.

He caught the bottle and managed to stop himself, but just barely, so no horseplay!

First Peak Trail Stats

A man sitting on the bare stone peak of the Stawamus Chief with Mount Garibaldi towering over the valley in the distance — First Peak

Two pairs of legs crossed over each other on the stone cliff at the top of the Stawamus Chief with the Howe Sound below. — First Peak

For some reason, the main AllTrails map for First Peak says it's only 3.9km and 534m gain, but on my last trip up I recorded 4.54km and 709m gain. I did wander around the peak a little bit getting photos, but not enough to account for that big of a discrepancy. So make sure to manage your expectations and to go into this knowing it will be a bit harder than the app suggests.

Hiking To Second And Third Peak

Several small trees growing around the granite cliffs at the second peak of Stawamus Chief — Second Peak

From First Peak, you can look out across a big, tree-filled crevasse and usually spot other hikers over on the adjacent peak. From up there, it becomes pretty obvious why you can't just wander over to the next one. If Second or Third Peak is where you're headed, you need to decide that from the start, and you've got two options for getting there.

You can start from the same parking lot, walk through the campsite, and head up the same staircase as First Peak; just make sure to turn off at the signed junction for Second Peak before you hit the steep ladder section. Or, you can skip all of that entirely and start from the Mamquam FSR instead, taking the Stawamus Squaw trail up the backside of The Chief.

Is It A Hard Hike?

Several chains bolted into a steep granite slab near the peak of the Stawamus Chief

A ladder covered in stickers bolted into a steep granite slab near the peak of the Stawamus Chief

Yes, it'll get you huffing and puffing for sure. But it's a bit of a funny hike in that it's short and steep rather than long and gruelling.

Most moderately fit people make it up without much trouble. That, combined with it being the most iconic hike in Squamish, means a lot of people end up biting off more than they can chew. Plenty of first-time hikers choose this as their introduction to the sport. That's not necessarily a bad call, but it's definitely not a gentle one either.

The upside is that it's not a long hike, so it tests your cardio more than your endurance. You'll see people in full hiking-pro gear practically jogging up, and you'll also see the occasional distraught 19-year-old in jeans off to the side catching their breath. Give yourself plenty of time for water breaks and rest stops, and you'll make it up there eventually.

One thing beginner hikers often overlook is that coming down is still a real challenge. It's easier than the climb, sure, but the uneven terrain and big step-downs add up, and the consistently steep grade is absolutely brutal on your knees by the time you're back at the bottom.

Final Thoughts

A woman standing on the bare granite cliff at first peak on Stawamus Chief

This is an iconic Squamish hike, but it's not actually the best hike in town. The view from the top is amazing, and the IG pic will be iconic, but the hike itself is a complete slog. You will be huffing and puffing and staring down at your footing the entire way.

If you would rather a hike that is actually enjoyable the whole way through, check out our Squamish Hiking Guide. In there, we go over nearly every trail in Squamish, and they range from leisurely riverside strolls to pretty epic backcountry treks.

And if you don't mind throwing money at the problem, you can get similar views without breaking a sweat by riding up the Sea to Sky Gondola. You can check out our 'Is The Sea To Sky Gondola Worth It?' post to see if it's a good fit for you.

FAQ

How difficult is The Chief hike in Squamish?

The Chief is considered a moderately difficult hike because of its steep elevation gain. Although it's only about 4.5 km round trip, you'll climb roughly 700 metres almost entirely uphill. Most people complete the hike in 2 to 3 hours, but beginners should expect plenty of rest stops along the way.

Which peak of The Chief should I hike?

Most visitors hike to First Peak, which offers the iconic panoramic views over Squamish, Howe Sound, and the Sea to Sky Highway. Second and Third Peak require taking different junctions before reaching First Peak, so you'll need to decide which summit you want before starting the hike.

How long does it take to hike The Chief?

Most hikers complete the hike to First Peak in 2 to 3 hours round trip, including breaks. The actual moving time is usually around 2 hours, though this varies depending on your fitness level and how much time you spend enjoying the views at the summit.

Is there parking for The Chief hike?

Yes. Free parking is available at the Stawamus Chief parking area beside the campground. From the parking lot, a short walking trail leads through the campground before connecting with the main hiking trail.

What should I bring when hiking The Chief?

Bring plenty of water, sturdy hiking shoes with good grip, and dress for the weather. The trail is steep, with staircases, roots, rocks, ladders, and exposed granite near the summit. Be especially careful at the viewpoints, as there are no guardrails along the cliff edges.

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