Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake
~2 days · 20.8 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake is known for
Section 3 of Sunshine Coast Trail is an official 36 km point-to-point section from Confederation Lake Hut to Elk Lake Hut (OSM: Elk Lake Cabin).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,119 ft to 12,326 ft over 20.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.5 mi · 55%
- Downhill 6.7 mi · 32%
- Flat 2.5 mi · 12%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake scores 31/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake take?
Most backpackers hike the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 20.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake?
The Sunshine Coast Trail — Section 3: Confederation Lake to Elk Lake climbs roughly 7,287 ft total — about 350 ft per mile, topping out near 3,766 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. 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.