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It’s only a gentle 10-minute walk through the forest to the mighty Brandywine Falls, which thunder down a staggering 220-foot (70-meter) steep-sided gorge.
The falls are a short 15- to 20-minute drive south of Whistler Village, just off Highway 99. And they’re definitely worth visiting when driving from Vancouver to Whistler (or back).
Brandywine Falls
You may know Whistler as a top ski and snowboard resort in North America.
What you may not know is that Whistler boasts many lovely hiking and nature trails. One of our favorites is the Joffre Lakes Trail. Brandywine Falls is another – though it’s not really a hike, more a walk in the park.
We usually stop in at the falls at least once each year (after all, they are almost in our back yard).
The falls are most magnificent when viewed from the first viewing platform.
The platform juts out over the gorge.
Spray rises, enveloping the carved volcanic bowl girdling the falls with mist, often throwing off delicate rainbows.
In winter, it’s another spectacle again. Snow weighs heavy on the branches of fir and pine trees, and icicles cling to the gorge walls.
Brandywine Falls hike
There’s no chance of getting lost walking to Brandywine Falls.
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is well-visited and well-signed.
From the parking lot, cross a covered footbridge over Brandywine Creek.
Then follow the trail to the right, crossing the BC Rail train tracks before coming to the first viewpoint of the falls, a large platform built in 2006.
Continue on a short distance to reach another viewpoint of the falls.
Beyond that is a third viewpoint overlooking turquoise Daisy Lake far below and the dark, jagged Black Tusk Mountain.
To return to the parking lot, simply retrace your steps.
Brandywine Falls trail stats
Length – 1/3 mile (½ km) one-way
Difficulty – easy, wide, flat gravel trail
Use – walking and snowshoeing
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
For more information, see the park’s website.
Beautiful BC Guide
Pssst! See our “British Columbia Travel Guide”
It’s packed with lots of great info on unmissable destinations, wineries, secret places, other cool things to do in BC (like storm watching in Tofino!), epic hikes, taking the ferry between Vancouver and Victoria, the best time to visit and more…
Photo credits: 1, 5, 8 and 10 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
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