Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park

Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park Wayside Park in Whistler is one of several idyllic parks along the shore of Alta Lake. Rainbow Park, Lakeside Park and Blueberry Park are also along the shore of this huge lake that covers much of the valley edged by Whistler Village. These four parks, all on Whistler's beautiful Valley Trail system, ensure that you are never far from one of several amazing vantage points over Alta Lake.

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Alpha Lake Park Alta Lake Park Blueberry Park Green Lake Park Lakeside Park Lost Lake Park Meadow Park Nita Lake Park Rainbow Park Wayside Park

Wayside Park sits near the bottom end of Alta Lake and at just 3 kilometres from Whistler Village is just an hours walk or 10 minute bike ride away. The Valley Trail is a huge spider web network of paved walking/biking/running trails that connect Whistler Village to dozens of beautiful parks and sights. Over 40 kilometres of trails throughout Whistler, with directions at every junction make the Valley Trail much more than just a transportation network. It's an interpretive tour of the area, where you can wander on foot or by bike and use the signs at each junction to choose your route. Whistler's Valley Trail is in fact, now part of the 180 kilometre Sea to Sky Trail that runs from Squamish to D'Arcy. In the summer months, swimming and relaxing in the sun are the main attractions to Wayside Park. The piers are a fantastic way to view Alta Lake as it stretches north, edged by forest, hills and mountains in the distance. Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding are all popular from Wayside Park and Whistler Eco Tours has a popular rental area here in the summertime. They also do canoe rentals where you can start canoeing at Wayside Park and finish at Green Lake. This 7 kilometre route takes you the length of Alta Lake then down the River of Golden Dreams to Green Lake. The current moves with you the entire journey making it a very relaxing route to paddle.

Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park

To walk, run or bike to Wayside Park from Whistler Village via the Valley Trail. Leave the Village by walking between Buffalo Bills and the Whistler Conference Centre, then under the Sea to Sky Highway, Valley Trail underpass. From here the Valley Trail signs indicate where to go. If you take the Valley Trail left you will go along the edge of Whistler Golf Course for a kilometre then the Valley Trail crosses onto St Anton Way, then zig-zags a couple more streets before arriving at Lakeside Park. The Valley Trail has signs at each junction so you can't really get lost. Continue through Lakeside Park and 1 kilometre later you will arrive at Wayside Park.

Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park

If you want to explore more then keep walking around the end of Alta Lake, turn right. Walk along the edge of the lake and in a couple hundred metres you will pass a house on your right, just about 50 metres past this you will see a trail into the trees. Follow this and bear right. This leads to Alta Lake Park, a cute little forest park with a surreal set of giant, oversized chairs on the lake, odd car wrecks along the trail, and yet another beautiful pier on Alta Lake.

Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park

Back on the Valley Trail you even go further as the Valley Trail continues all around Alta Lake. Follow the Valley Trail along Alta Lake and you will cross the train tracks and come to Alta Lake Road. Continue along Alta Lake Road, keeping Alta Lake on your right. You will get some terrific views of the lake and after 1.3 kilometres look for Rainbow Park on your right. This gets you back on the Valley Trail and around the top end of Alta Lake and to the River of Golden Dreams at the end of Lorimer Rd. From here the Valley Trail splits into two directions. Left goes to Meadow Park and right moves you toward Whistler Village again via the Whistler Golf Course. If you keep following the excellent signs at each juncture you will find your way OK.

Best Whistler Parks - Wayside Park