Landslide Lake via Elk River Trail in Strathcona Provincial Park is a must-do hike on Vancouver Island.

The trail takes you through lush forests, past sparkling waterfalls, and over clear streams before reaching the stunning teal-colored lake nestled at the base of Mount Colonel Foster.

It's like a hidden gem that will leave you wondering if you're still on the island.
This route begins on Gold River Highway 28, roughly an hour away from Campbell River. There is no cell signal anywhere along the trail or within the park, so downloading the offline maps in advance is recommended.

The trail is well-maintained. It is straight forward and has a gradual ascent. The trail crosses multiple streams, waterfalls and has plenty of water sources that are suitable for drinking with water treatment.

The trail does not get challenging until you leave the second campsite to get to the two lakes. After the second campsite, it will take approximately 3 kilometres to get to Landslide Lake and from there, another 2 kilometres to get to Berg Lake. The hike towards Berg Lake is the more difficult part of this trail and can be tricky with lots of slippery and rocky areas.

This trail can be completed as a day-hike with an early start. But we think it is best experienced as an overnight hike.

There are only two designated camping areas. The first campsite is 7.5 kilometres into the route and the second campsite is after 11 kilometres. Both campsites have pit toilets, bear caches and cables for hanging bear bags.

The parking lot is small and can get full pretty quickly on summer days.

Remember to leave no trace and soak up the magic of this wild paradise!

As with any long/overnight hike, make sure to properly research the trail so that you are properly prepared with the right gear and are aware of current trail conditions.

AllTrails hike linked here.

This hike is rated as difficult. Length 36.7 km, Elevation gain 1408 m, Route Type Out-and-Back.