Chilliwack River Trail
~2 days · 9.6 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Chilliwack River Trail is known for
The Chilliwack River Trail is a forested valley route deep in the North Cascades backcountry of Washington, following the Chilliwack River through stands of old growth. It serves as a key point-to-point connector for longer backpacking trips, most notably the Copper Ridge Loop, and links interior camps within North Cascades National Park. The trail features river crossings and long stretches beneath dense forest canopy. It is known primarily as a wilderness connector rather than a viewpoint destination.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,326 ft to 4,452 ft over 9.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.9 mi · 52%
- Downhill 1.3 mi · 14%
- Flat 3.3 mi · 35%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Chilliwack River Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Chilliwack River Trail scores 30/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Mid-summer through early fall (roughly July to October) is best, once high water from snowmelt has dropped and seasonal river crossings are safer.
Permits: A backcountry permit is required for overnight trips in North Cascades National Park, with designated camps that can fill in peak season, so reserve or obtain a permit in advance.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Chilliwack River Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Chilliwack River Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 9.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Chilliwack River Trail?
The Chilliwack River Trail climbs roughly 3,281 ft total — about 342 ft per mile, topping out near 4,465 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Chilliwack River Trail?
Mid-summer through early fall (roughly July to October) is best, once high water from snowmelt has dropped and seasonal river crossings are safer.
Do you need a permit for the Chilliwack River Trail?
A backcountry permit is required for overnight trips in North Cascades National Park, with designated camps that can fill in peak season, so reserve or obtain a permit in advance.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.