Site editor Rick McCharles will be mostly offline well into June 2026. Heโs section hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail in California out of Palm Springs.
Strathcona Park BC – Buttle Lake area day hikes
By BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, offers many challenging multi-day adventures. And many very challenging day hikes.
In this post, however, I focus on easy highway-accessible day hikes recommended for kids, families, everyone.
Campgrounds are often booked months in advance. I once got an overflow site at Buttle Lake marine campground. Designated for those on the water, IF space is available, you can sometimes get a spot for yourself at marine campgrounds. They are less busy.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I hiked most of these. All good.
Almost everyone stops for the short walk to the viewing platform at Lady Falls.
- Elk River Viewpoint
- Lupin Falls
- Auger Point
- Karst Creek
- Wild Ginger
- Shepherd Creek
Without question Lower Myra Falls is best of the easy day hikes. Don’t miss it. And bring a bathing suit if weather is good.
Auger Point Fire Trail was interesting in seeing how some trees can survive major forest fires.
If you stay at Buttle Lake campground, I loved their Beach Access Trail.
I was cycling this trip, hiding my bike in the trees between each short nature walk.
The best hiking guidebook is Exploring Strathcona Park. Dead tree version available only.
See our list of the best hikes in North America.
Great Hiking Trails of the World by Karen Berger
Pacific Crest Trail, Hadrian’s Wall Path, Kungsleden, Annapurna Circuit. Many, many more.
(via Chris Townsend)
top 5 hikes in the world
Stingy Nomads‘ favourite treks.
1. Ausangate, Peru
2. Roraima, Venezuela
3. Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile
4. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
5. Ilha Grande, Brazil
Click through for trip reports.
Two of those are on our top 10 list: Ausangate and Everest.
Stingy Nomads are Alya (Russia) and Campbell (South Africa). They’ve been traveling the world in search of the best hikes.
“Hidden Gem” hikes USA
Have you heard of any of these?
1) Gore Range, Eagles Nest Wilderness, Colorado
2) Gap Run, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
3) Jones Hole, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah
4) Indian Point, Garden of the Gods Wilderness, Illinois
5) Redwood Canyon, Kings Canyon National Park, California
6) Sal Hollow, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
7) Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park, Washington
8) Charonโs Garden, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
9) Yankee Paradise, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
10) Mt. Cabot, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Find a new adventureย in the book โBackpacker Hidden Gems: 100 Greatest Undiscovered Hikes Across America.โ
Author Maren Horjus,
15 Great Hikes in Europe
As chosen by Alice Ford:
- Alta Via 1, Dolomites
- West Highland Way, Scotland
- Mare a Mare Nord, Corsica
- Kungsleden, Sweden
- Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
- Triglav Traverse, Slovenia
- Ridge Path (Creasta Principalฤ), Romania
- Eagle Walk, Austria
- Ruta Del Cares, Spain
- Soomaa National Park, Estonia
- Via Dinarica, Bosnia
- Trolltunga, Norway
- Rota Vincentina, Portugal
- Samaria Gorge and White Mountains, Crete
- Haute Route, Alps
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Alexander Campbell Plans 40,000km Walk Around the World
After 3 years, he’s about half way completed his projected route.
After crossing the Middle East and the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan and Georgia, the Australian entered Europe, where he is currently in North Macedonia. From here, he plans to continue across the continent, aiming to finish Europe by the end of 2026.
Click PLAY or watch day 1000 on YouTube.
Follow Alexander Campbell on Instagram.
Hiking / Camping Tips
You’re almost certain to get one or two good ideas from this video.
Lessons learned on thru hikes.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
If you like that, there are 20 more here.
New Mattress? … Or GO CAMPING. ๐
Thanks Dave.
Lonely Planet – Where To Go When: Hiking
NEW Lonely Planet Hiking Guidebook published May 2026.
A month-by-month guide featuring 96 top-tier hiking trails worldwide, ranging from short walks to epic multi-day treks. … Spainโs Camino Francรฉs, John Muir Trail, South Africa’s coastal Strandloper Trail and many more.
Each month highlights 8 hikes … route maps,ย breathtaking nature photography, and expert insights on what makes each hike unmissable
Covers essential details:ย start/finish points, distance, duration, challenge level, when to go, permit info, safety, getting there,accommodation, food and more.
Written by Sarah Baxter,ย author ofย A History of the World in 500 Walks,ย The Inspired Traveller’s Guide to Spiritual Places, and Lonely Planet’sย Where to Go When;ย and Paul Bloomfield, a contributing author to numerous books about travel, hiking, cycling and treks in the UK and across the world
besthike.com 