Backcountry Hiking
Nuk Tessli is surrounded by a vast network of hiking and backpacking trails
From easy hikes to Strenuous, there are many options to explore
Easy Hikes
Lookout Loop
2-3 hours | 205m elevation gain | easy:
This hike is usually done on the day you arrive at Nuk Tessli.
It's a half day hike to the closest view point of the Nuk Tessli wilderness.
Here you'll see the area you're going to explore in the next few days.
The view point is surrounded by lots of lightning struck trees, giving them a very twisted and beautiful look.
Viewing point from the top of lookout point. Whitton Lake and Wilderness Mountain
A tree that was struck by lighting on the way to Lookout Point
Perfect day at the Lookout Point at Nuk Tessli
Viewing point from the top of lookout point. Whitton Lake and Wilderness Mountain
The Three Brothers Trail
5 hours | 150m elevation gain | easy:
This wonderful trail combines both hiking and canoeing.
The trail starts by going through Chris's Meadows where you'll encounter many beautiful flowers. From there the trail goes up to Jetha Lake where you'll find canoes to paddle to the other side. Another short hike will bring you to Maila Lake where you'll find more canoes that you'll use to paddle to the other side.
The hike then will take you around Kancha Lake and up to a beautiful viewing point, mainly to the East.
Meadows full of flowers on the Otter Lake hike
Amazing colors viewed from the hot tub at Nuk Tessli
The Nuk Tessli amazing log cabins on Whitton Lake
Meadows full of flowers on the Otter Lake hike
Around The Lake
3-5 hours | 20 M elevation gain | easy:
This is a simple and nice walk around Whitton Lake.
This hike can be combined with canoeing to the Sandy Beach and then hiking back. Or the other way around.
The trail can also be used for connecting to other trails, like the trail to Wilderness Lake.
Usually this trail is used as a part of another trail or as part of an easy day that includes paddling the canoe to the Sandy Beach or the end of the lake and then hiking back.
Canoe the Nuk Tessli lake
Enjoying lots of Lupinus in the Meadows around the Nuk Tessli Lake
Enjoy a sunny day on Whitton Lake with a SUP
Canoe the Nuk Tessli lake
Moderate Hikes
The Mammaries Loop
5-7 hours | 630m elevation gain | Moderate:
A great hiking day that goes straight up to two small peaks with amazing views of the Monarch massif, Wilderness mountain, Anvil mountain and much more.
The navigation on this trail is quite easy.
The trail goes straight up through the forest and meadows and opens up to an amazing view all around.
Meadows full of flowers on the Mammaries hiking trail in July
360 Degrees of amazing view from the top of the Mammaries
North Pass Lake Loop
6-8 hours | 550m elevation gain | Moderate:
This is one of our most iconic hikes. The day will start with a short boat ride to the Sandy Beach. From there you'll go up through the forest and meadows to North Pass Lake. After a short snack the trail will take you up to the North Pass Ridge. The perfect place for lunch.
Then the trail will take around through Bubbly Valley and back down through big open meadows with lots of flowers and little streams.
From the sandy beach you can canoe back to NT (20 min) or hike around the lake.
Don't miss out on this trail.
Meadows full of flowers coming down from North Pass Ridge
Hard Hikes
Angelheart Lake (add-on to North Pass Lake Loop)
1.5 hours | 150m elevation gain | Hard:
This trail is a spectacular add-on to the North Pass Lake loop.
From the top of North Pass Ridge, the trail will take you around the colourful Atnarko lakes and up to the lovely Angelheart Lake. You have got to jump in.
From there the trail goes up the ridge where you can get amazing views of the massive Monarch.
The trail then goes around and connects to the North Pass Lake trail at the top of Bubbly Valley.
Crossing a small stream on the way to Angelheart Lake
Strenuous Hikes
Avalanche Ridge
8-10 hours | 820m elevation gain|Strenuous:
Avalanche Ridge can be done as a full day or as an add-on to the Mammaries day hike.
this Hike will take you way higher in the alpine to spectacular views of the Coastal Mountains. Miles and miles in all direction, this trail is AMAZING.
The add-on has a few different possible variations.
Flat Top Mountain Loop
10 hours | 880m elevation gain | Strenuous:
This amazing hike will take you to the top of Flat Top Mountain and back to Nuk Tessli through Cohen Lake. It's an amazing but strenuous day.
Usually done by strong hikers who are willing to work and play hard.
Enjoying the view from the top of Flat Top Mountain. Looking at Wilderness Mountain
On the top of Flat Top Mountain
the Tweedsmuir Park mountains
Enjoying the view from the top of Flat Top Mountain. Looking at Wilderness Mountain
Atnarko Peak
9.5 hours | 1200m elevation gain | Strenuous:
Scrambling up and down Atnarko Peak is not an easy task but a very well rewarding one.
This hike takes you to the highest peak in the area. The 360 degree views are just ineradicable and the Coastal Mountains are spectacular.
Navigation apps:
Most of our trails are on the AllTrails app (download on the bottom left of the page).
if you don't have it, there's a 7 day free trail so you can download it when you get to NT and use it for your visit.
Another option is the Gaia app.
You can download offline maps and load all gpx files.