Shannon Falls Pools Trail: How to find this hidden gem

Nestled in the heart of Squamish, Shannon Falls is one of British Columbia’s most stunning natural attractions. Towering at 335 meters, it’s the third-highest waterfall in the province, drawing countless visitors to its impressive viewing point. However, many don’t know about the Shannon Falls Pools trail. This short but rewarding hike leads to serene pools above the falls with incredible views over Howe Sound.

This is a popular spot for locals to visit on a hot day and while it has become more popular in recent years, it’s still a hidden gem of sorts! In this blog post, I’m covering everything you need to know about hiking to Shannon Falls Pools. You’ll find all the must-know information, including how to get there, the best time to go, a trail overview, and a packing list.

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Shannon Falls Pools Trail: Everything you need to know

Hiking to Shannon Falls Pools is a fun adventure but the trail is quite technical in places. Here’s what you need to know to help you decide if it’s for you:

Shannon Falls Pools Trail Overview

Location: Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Squamish
Distance: 2.4 km out and back
Elevation Gain: 243 m
Day-Use Pass: Not required
Dogs: Yes, on leash – but not recommended on this trail
Toilets: Bathroom facilities near the picnic area, not far from the parking lot

Where does Shannon Falls Pools hike start?

Shannon Falls Pools trail is located in Shannon Falls Provincial Park along the Sea-to-Sky Highway on the way to Squamish. The trailhead is a bit tricky to find as it’s not located in the parking lot as you would expect!

As you can see on the map below, you’ll need to walk back along the Sea to Sky Highway away from the car park. There is a pedestrian path on Shannon Falls road that runs parallel to the highway on that you can use (do not walk on the Highway!) There is a small opening in the trees on your left hand side just before you get to the end of the road (where it joins the Highway). It’s a bit hidden and unfortunately there isn’t a sign but if you look carefully you’ll see it. You have to do a bit of bushwhacking to get through the trees but you’ll then be on the Shannon Falls Pools trail and it will open up.

How do you get to Shannon Falls?

The easiest way to get to the park is by car. From downtown Vancouver, take the scenic Highway 99, also known as the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The journey is approximately 60 km and takes about an hour, offering stunning mountain and ocean views along the way.

Evo is a great way to get around, especially if you’re going with a few friends. Alternatively, if you’re planning to do a few hikes over the weekend, hiring a car might be more cost-effective.

I personally use Auto Europe as they have great rates. You can easily compare all the major companies and if you need any help, their 24/7 customer service is very good. You can check prices here.

If you’re coming from Vancouver and don’t want to drive, you can take the Squamish Connector from Downtown Vancouver to the Sea to Sky Gondola. Once you get to the gondola, there is a Connector Trail between the gondola parking lot and Shannon Falls. The Squamish Connector offers a daily service between Vancouver and Squamish and is very affordable. It costs $45 CAD round trip for adults and $35 for children under 12 years old.

How long does it take to hike to Shannon Falls Pools?

The Shannon Falls Pools trail is approximately 2.4 km round trip and should take about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, depending on your pace and fitness level. There are some technical sections with ropes which can slow you down, especially if there are a few people ahead of you as you’ll have to wait.

I’d also recommend adding on the walk to the classic Shannon Falls Viewpoint after your hike. It’s only 1 km return from the parking lot and leads to a beautiful viewing platform. You’ll need to factor in an extra 30 minutes but it makes sense to do both while you’re at Shannon Falls Provincial Park.

Where is the parking lot for Shannon Falls?

There is a designated free parking lot for Shannon Falls. Like a lot of accessible spots in British Columbia, the parking lot does fill up quickly, especially at weekends. Fortunately, it is usually a quick stop for most visitors who just want to walk to the viewpoint. If you arrive and the car park is full, try and find somewhere to wait. People will constantly be coming back to their vehicles so spots will open up.

Forest walk in Shannon Falls Provincial Park

Is the Shannon Falls Pools trail difficult?

I lived in Vancouver for 5 years and have hiked a lot of great trails in British Columbia. Although the Shannon Falls Pools trail is quite short, it is steep and technical in places so I would class it as a moderate hike. You will have to climb some boulders using ropes provided and scramble in places. It’s a fun hike but it can be a bit daunting if you haven’t done anything like this before.

The trail is mostly uphill so it can be hard work and you need a good amount of stamina. If you have small children or babies, I wouldn’t suggest doing this hike with them. The same applies for dogs. While they are allowed on-leash on the trails in Shannon Falls Provincial Park, this trail is steep and would be difficult for most dogs.

Can you swim in the Shannon Falls Pools?

You can swim in the pools above Shannon Falls but please be very careful. The rocks can be very slippery and the waterfall is powerful. This can be a dangerous spot and sadly people have died after being swept over the cliff. Always assess your surroundings and make a decision based on the current conditions.

We went at the end of August so the waterfall was not very powerful and the water levels were quite low so it was easy to get in and out of the pools safely. If it is safe to go in the pools, be prepared for icy cold water! It’s a nice way to cool down after a sweaty hike but you won’t want to be in there for long.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Please follow the Leave No Trace Principles during your time in nature. By following these principles, you can reduce your impact on wildlife and nature and allow animals to live peacefully in their natural habitats.

When is the best time to do the Shannon Falls Pools trail?

You can do this trail all year round but I would avoid hiking up here in winter. It’s a very technical hike in places and I would not attempt this when the trail is snowy and icy. Similarly, I wouldn’t do this hike in spring as the waterfall will be at its most powerful and this brings fast flowing water which can be dangerous. Aim to go towards the end of summer when the water levels are lower so you can enjoy the pools safely. As you have to scale some rocks, avoid going after a heavy rainfall as the trail will be very slippery.

Shannon Falls Pools trail: What to expect

Shannon Falls Pools trail is one of my all-time favourite hiking trails near Vancouver; however, it is quite technical. Here’s an overview of the trail so you know what to expect.

Section 1: The ropes

The rope section on Shannon Falls Pools trail

The trail is initially quite easy and flat. There is a slight incline as you walk through the forest but it doesn’t take long until starts to increase. You’ll start to hike uphill through the trees. Like a lot of trails in the North Shore Mountains and along the Sea-to-Sky, the terrain is made up of a lot of roots and loose soil. There were a number of wasp nests under the roots when we did this hike so take your time and watch where you step. Most of the nests were on the ground before the first rope section.

Once you get to the top of the first big incline, you’ll be greeted by the first rope section. This looks quite intimidating but it isn’t too bad. You’ll have to climb up between two boulders. It was a bit tricky as the space between them was very narrow and was quite slippery and steep. Make sure you use the rope and take your time here.

After you’ve conquered this first rope section, you’ll continue on a rooty and rocky trail for a little bit. There is a pretty opening in the trees where you get a lovely view looking down at Squamish. You’ll then reach the next rope section which requires you to hike up more steep boulders.

Eventually you’ll come to a very steep rock face with a rope. You do NOT need to climb this one! Follow the markers and continue hiking straight ahead and the trail will loop you round to the top of this rock face. Of course, if you enjoy climbing and have the experience and skill set, you can climb up instead.

Section 2: The roots

The forest walk on Shannon Falls Pools hike

The steep rock face marks the end of the rope section. The rest of the trail is uphill through the forest over soil and roots. There are some smaller boulders to climb but they don’t require ropes. This section can feel like a grind so make sure you drink lots of water and stop every now and again to catch your breath if you need to. After a while, you’ll see the pools through the trees. There are a couple of different levels with rocks to sit on and spots where you can safely enter the pools.

Other hiking trails in Squamish

Nestled between mountains and ocean, Squamish is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including forests, waterfalls, and alpine lakes. It boasts a number of scenic trails for novice hikers as well as more challenging ones for seasoned adventurers. Here are a few other hikes to look into if you’re visiting Squamish for a couple of days:

Murrin Park Loop & Jurassic Ridge Trail: 2.4 km with 160 m elevation gain (easy to moderate)
Mamquam Falls: 1.6 km with 60 m elevation gain (easy)
Stawamus Chief: 11 km with 600 m elevation gain (moderate)
Sea to Summit: 11.6 km with 956 m elevation gain (moderate to difficult)
Slhanay Peak: 6.1 km with 640 m elevation gain (moderate to difficult)
Smoke Bluffs Loop: 3 km with 200 m elevation gain (easy to moderate)
Brohm Lake Loop: 4 km with 30 m elevation gain (easy)

READ NEXT | A local’s guide to Squamish >

What to pack

Here’s a summary of what you should pack for your day hike to Shannon Falls pools. I’ve included links to gear I personally use and love:

The 10 essentials

Even though this is a short hike, you should still pack the 10 essentials. These include navigation, water, food, rain gear and insulation, fire starter, first aid kit, tools (to repair kit and gear), light sources, sun protection, and shelter. You should take these items on every hike, no matter the distance. If an emergency does arise, these items may help save your life.

Hiking backpack

If I can only give you one piece of advice, invest in a good hiking day backpack. It will make hiking much more enjoyable and reduce the strain on your back and neck. You’ll want a bag with the following features:

Adjustable straps
Chest and waist strap (this makes such a difference!)
Accessible pockets
Clips or hooks for your poles (many bags don’t have this and it makes carrying your poles difficult when you’re not using them)
Sleeve for your hydration reservoir if you use one

Osprey’s day packs are rated really highly. Patagonia also has a great selection. I recommend going and trying them to get a feel for what fits you best.

Hiking boots

You’ll need a pair of comfortable and supportive hiking shoes to climb the boulders on the Shannon Falls Pools hike. Some people like hiking boots while others prefer trail runners. The best thing to do is try on a few different styles to figure out what best suits your needs. I usually opt for waterproof and lightweight hiking boots with ankle support due to Vancouver’s climate and terrain. I’ve had my Keen Terradora II Waterproof Hiking Boots for over 2 years and have been really pleased with them.

Merino wool socks

As someone with very delicate feet, I highly recommend buying merino wool socks for hiking. They are more expensive but your feet will thank you. I always opt for Darn Tough, Icebreaker or Smartwool as they last a long time and protect your feet from blisters.

Trekking poles

I normally pack poles to take the pressure off my knees if I know there are some steep, downhill sections. You don’t want to add unnecessary weight so look for lightweight options such as the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles. I have the Black Diamond Trail Sport 2 Trekking Poles which are still light but more affordable.

Rain protection

The weather changes very quickly in the mountains. I’ve set off on a hike with the sun shining only to get caught in a cold downpour an hour later. Make sure you bring a rain jacket which can be easily packed away. I bought my Patagonia waterproof shell on sale in 2019 and I never go hiking without it. It’s lightweight and doesn’t take up much space in my backpack.

Layers

Avoid cotton and opt for merino wool or poly blends that are quick drying. One of my favourite breathable mid-layers is the Patagonia R1 Fleece as it provides a lot of insulation but is lightweight to carry in my backpack. In the cooler months, I also pack an additional layer, usually my Patagonia Down Jacket or Nano Puff Jacket, and a toque.

Bug protection

Mosquitoes and flies can be relentless on some of these Vancouver hikes. It’s a good idea to take some bug spray with you in the summer months. MEC has a great range of bug sprays and repellers.

Sun protection

Don’t forget to pack a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses if you’re hiking on a hot or bright day.

Final thoughts on Shannon Falls Pools trail

With its scenic forest trail and blue pools, Shannon Falls Pools hike is a fun and adventurous trail. Just remember to wear good footwear! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.