Kwai Lake Hike in Strathcona Park, BC

Walking the boardwalk on the Kwai lake loop hike
The beautiful Kwai lake loop hike

If you’re looking for scenic Vancouver Island hikes check out the trails in Strathcona Provincial Park, in particular the Kwai Lake Loop. This is one of the top Vancouver Island hikes I’ve done in a day.

The Kwai Lake loop hike offers both day hikers and backpackers access to pretty sub-alpine lakes, flower studded meadows and mountain vistas. Although the loop is about 15.6 km long, there isn’t a whole lot of elevation gain, perhaps 200 m in total, so it can be done comfortably in about five hours.

There is the option to enjoy a backcountry camping experience on the Kwai Lake hike.

Fees in 2024 are $10 per person 16 years and older per night or $5 per night if the kids are 6 – 15 years old. There’s also a $6 per tent pad fee per night. Either bring exact cash or buy a permit online.

One of the pretty Vancouver Island hikes - Kwai Lake - starts easily on the boardwalk
One of the pretty Vancouver Island hikes – Kwai Lake – starts easily on the boardwalk

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Kwai Lake Loop starting point

The Kwai Lake hike starts at the Paradise Meadows Parking Lot near the Nordic Lodge. There is excellent signage around and lots of parking.

Start the hike by walking on boardwalk that’s in great shape. You travel through some truly beautiful forest early on in the hike – at least if you go in a counterclockwise direction.

One of the Vancouver Island Hikes where the woods are truly gorgeous
The woods are truly gorgeous in places

Lake Helen Mackenzie was the first lake we reached – just 3.7 km into the Kwai Lake Loop. It was a peaceful sight with not another soul around though every time we stopped the whiskey jacks showed up.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a high concentration of these birds as I did on this hike.

 Passing Helen Mackenzie Battleship Lake
Passing Helen Mackenzie Battleship Lake
Vancouver Island hikes with particularly lovely around some of the lakes
The wildflowers are particularly lovely around some of the lakes
No shortage of jays looking for food when you stop
No shortage of jays looking for food when you stop

Continuing we passed a Ranger Station before arriving at beautiful Kwai Lake at the 7.3 km mark – about halfway into the hike. We did lose the boardwalk for many kilometres, substituting a rock and dirt trail that actually had a little elevation gain on route to the lake.

At the lake you’ll find some tent pads. If you planned a backpacking trip in late summer or early fall when the bugs were gone, the lake would be a fantastic place to hang out.

We noticed lots of fish jumping as well.

Looking for a longer day hike in Strathcona?

There is another hiking option if you want a longer day. Before you reach Kwai Lake turn right at an intersection signed for Cruikshank Canyon Lookout and follow it to the end, 1.4 km on.

Another longer option would take you to Mount Albert Edward but it would be best done as a backpacking trip as it’s at least another 8.9 km one way from the turnoff before Kwai Lake.

Ranger cabin north of Lake Helen Mackenzie
Ranger cabin north of Lake Helen Mackenzie
Continuing on towards Kwai Lake
Continuing on towards Kwai Lake
One view of Kwai Lake
One view of Kwai Lake
There is camping around Kwai Lake
There is backcountry camping around Kwai Lake
Looking over to snow covered peaks from Kwai Lake
Looking over to snow covered peaks 
The Kwai Lake Loop Hike in Strathcona Provincial Park
This area is called the Forbidden Plateau

From Kwai Lake head south following the signs towards Murray Meadows.

Again you run into boardwalk over some of the soggier sections on route to Croteau Lake. Do look for masses of wildflowers if you visit in summer.

From there it’s an easy 3.0 km walk to Battleship Lake. Then continue southeast for 1.7 km to reach a maze of trails that make up the Paradise Meadows route. We stuck to the western trail so we never retraced our steps.

We were on boardwalk for quite some time near the end so the walking was quick.

The boardwalk really makes for some speedy hiking
The boardwalk really makes for some speedy hiking
Wildflowers galore
Wildflowers galore
The final stretch of boardwalk south of Battleship Lake
The final stretch of boardwalk south of Battleship Lake
Vancouver Island hikes with Kwai Lake shown on a map
Map showing the Kwai Lake hike

In the summer there’s a small building by the parking lot – before you reach the Nordic Centre that is set up with educational material about the area and someone manning a desk to offer information. Should you be thirsty or hungry you can also buy a cold drink or a snack here.

This is a superb hike with some mountain views but the big appeal is the five lakes you pass.

Where to stay within a 30 minute drive of the hike

Courtenay is just a 30 minute drive away. There are some lovely places to stay including the Old House Hotel & Spa, the Riding Fool Hostel for mountain bike aficionados and the Garden House

Location map of the Kwai Lake Loop hike

                                                       

A few useful things you might like on your Kwai Lake hike

At lunch time my almost weightless inflatable seat cushion  is always a treat to sit on – especially on damp days.

Although there isn’t a huge vertical  gain on this hike, you might still like hiking poles, especially if you have hip or knee problems. Invest in a good pair that are collapsible, preferably made of carbon because of their weightless quality. They’ll last you a long time.

I always pack a buff, a multi-purpose piece of cloth yet it takes up almost no room. On windy days it keeps the hair out on my eyes and on cold days it warms my neck. On hot days, dip it in water to keep cool and protect your neck.

If you’re prone to blisters, I’d recommend Compeed or Leukotape, something everyone I met doing the Great Divide Trail used.

Further reading on things to do on Vancouver Island

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

The 15.6 km Kwai Lake loop hike in Strathcona Provincial Park, BC

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