Round trip: 16.5 kilometres
Elevation gain: 480 metres
Location: E.C. Manning Provincial Park (southwest of Princeton)

Surrounded by woods and meadows, Poland Lake is a lovely destination.

Find the trailhead on Gibson Pass Road and set off west on the Poland Lake Trail. Head right on a gravel road, which goes over a few streams as it rises to enter the ski area at Manning Park Resort.

Stephen Hui.

MORE STAYCATIONS: 21 Hidden Places to Hike, Bike, Paddle and Chill in Your Own Backyard

Earn a big view of Hozomeen Mountain in Washington. Fork right and duck under a chairlift. Where the road curves right, bear left on a path through meadows. Switchback up the ski area and rejoin the road higher up. The road peaks near the top of Grassy Mountain.

After a gentle descent, the road rises to traverse the south slopes of Bojo Mountain. Continue on the path along Poland Creek to arrive at the lake. Round the eastern shore to find Poland Lake Camp. Backtrack to return to the trailhead.

Stephen Hui is the author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, a new guide to 55 hiking trails in B.C. and Washington.

His first two books, 105 Hikes and Destination Hikes, were #1 B.C. bestsellers.

Learn more: 105hikes.com

Stephen Hui

Stephen Hui