Spirit Lake Trail

Haida Gwaii Canada Parks, Trails and Places

A very well maintained trail system created in the hub of Skidegate Village on Graham Island in Haida Gwaii.

The hard packed gravel path, treks mostly through forest on a 4-5 foot wide trail crossing rivers. The route should take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete depending on if you are going to capitalize on your adventure and spend some quality time at the private lakes.

The Spirit Lake Trail is divided into three various walking routes. All of which cross over wooden bridges, trek through thick forests, enjoy spanning lake views and lead to picnic areas with more views of the lakes. All the trails intersect, so no worries about getting lost.

The first part of the hike is called the Forest Walk which zigzags through, what else, but forest, moss, ferns and lichens (algae and fungus hanging from trees and found on rocks, bark, and poor soil). The Forest Walk leads to the lakes. The outside route takes you around both lakes. This route is called the Spirit Lake Loop Trail. The route meandering in-between both lakes is referred to as the Lake Connector Loop.

Along the trail there are some picnic tables and grassy areas with views of the lakes so to enjoy some nature. The trail is also an opportunity to view CMTs (Culturally Modified Trees). Trees with removed bark strips - an art of the Haida First Nation people of removing a strip of bark from a cedar tree (so not to harm the tree). The bark then would be used for building baskets, tools, mats and much more.

The Spirit Lake Trail has a large parking lot which can be seen from Hwy 16 when driving through Skidegate. The entrance is set back off the road and marked by a beautiful smaller totem pole and a First Nation carving trailhead sign.

Spirit Lake Hiking Trail, Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, BC, Canada