Needle Peak Trail

Needle Peak Trail is a day-hike out-and-back in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area near Hope, British Columbia, mapped as about 4.38 km one-way/route distance in this dataset. Expect a steep start through forest, then a transition into sub-alpine and alpine terrain as you close on a saddle between Needle and Flatiron peaks.

The route’s main challenge is the summit approach: the final portion becomes an exposed granite scramble with very slippery rock potential when wet. The upper sections involve climbing over large granite boulders and steep rock pitches, and fixed rope(s) are commonly present to assist on the steepest moves.

Early in the hike, the climbing is described as steep and technical for the first stretch, moving from rooted, rough footing into more open alpine where navigation and route-choice around the ridge gets more consequential.

Approaching Needle Peak, the trail follows an exposed ridge line with a cairn/marker at the Needle–Flatiron saddle where the Needle route turns up to the left. From there, plan on slow progress because scrambling takes time and route confidence matters.

Time the objective for the short snow-free window. The most reliable season is late June through October, with the scrambling sections becoming significantly more dangerous once snow or ice covers the granite.

Trailhead access is from the Coquihalla Highway near Exit 217 (Zopkios rest area). Parking is typically on a gravel access road across the highway from the rest area, with the trail beginning after crossing back to the marked trail entrance.

More information: The Flatiron - Coquihalla Summit Hikes - A walk and a lark, Hiking Needle Peak in the Coquihalla Recreation Area, Hiking Needle Peak At The Coquihalla Summit Near Hope