Birkenhead Mountain Camp Ride

Difficulty

Easy

Comfort

Basic

Weight limit

Group size

2-6 tourists,
over 14 y.o.

No long vacation, no complicated plan — just one weekend, one horse, and a trail climbing from the valley floor into the Birkenhead mountains. This overnight riding camp is a compact taste of British Columbia’s backcountry, made for those who want real mountain air, campfire evenings, and time in the saddle without taking a full week away.

The ride begins on Saturday at the trailhead, where your horse and guides are waiting. From there, you set out on a 16-kilometer route toward base camp, passing a recent mine claim exploration along the way. The trail leads from the lower valley near the Birkenhead River up toward the alpine, with the landscape shifting as you ride deeper into the Coast Mountain Range around Birkenhead Lake.

At camp, your luggage will be waiting. The setup keeps things simple but comfortable: tents on platforms, a hot shower, outdoor plumbing, and a campfire to end the day. After breakfast on Sunday, you ride around the Birkenhead area before heading back down the mountain. Come for a weekend, leave with the feeling that you’ve been much farther away!

Don C. is the provider and guide of this trip

5.0 3 reviews

The provider speaks: English

Don Coggins and Dudley Kennett are the founders of the horse- riding agency. The partners have a great deal of experience in the saddle and in backcountry travel in general. The creation of the company is an expression of their shared passion for horses and British Columbia’s wilderness. Dudley was born and raised in BC’s Okanagan, working alongside his father who taught him early in life how to work a cattle range from horseback and to log with draft horses. He spent his spare time as an adult travelling on horseback with his mentor, Fred Shields, an experienced mountain guide from Seton Portage. Horses were his hobby during his career as a forest technician but in 1986 Dudley put his horses to work providing trail rides for Whistler’s visitors at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Don spent his boyhood summers in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia working on his uncle’s beef and apple farm where he also learned to ride and tend horses. As an adult, he owned and operated a small hobby farm in New Brunswick using his spare time to train and ride his pleasure horses. Don followed his tour in the Canadian military with a long career in corporate Canada. In 1992 he moved to Whistler to establish a sales and marketing business that he continues to operate.

Tour highlights

Weekend Backcountry Escape

A short mountain ride for travelers who want horse-camping in BC without taking a full expedition

Ride from Valley to Alpine

Start near the Birkenhead River and climb toward forested alpine camp in the Coast Mountain Range

Firelight in the Mountains

End the riding day around the campfire before settling into your tent for the night

Route details

Start your expedition early on Saturday. Meet your guides and horse at the trailhead, then begin a 16-kilometer ride toward the base camp.

On the way, you will pass a recent mine claim exploration area before reaching camp. Your luggage will be waiting for you there, with a maximum allowed weight of 30 lbs.

The base camp has tents on platforms for extra comfort, as well as a hot shower and outdoor plumbing. In the evening, enjoy time around the campfire before settling into your tent.

Accommodation: tented camp
Meals: lunch and dinner

2 more photos

Difficulty

Easy

Minimal physical activity. Suitable for everyone regardless of fitness and age

Tour provider's comments

The trip can be tailored for all abilities (beginners/ intermediate riders/ experienced riders).

Type of Riding: adventurous, single-track mountain horseback riding.

Horse Breed: Cayuses

Tack Type: Western

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Tent

1 night

At the camp, you'll be reunited with your luggage (maximum weight of 30lbs). Our base camp features amenities like a hot shower, outdoor plumbing, and tents on platforms for extra guest comfort.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

British Columbia, Metro Vancouver Regional District, Vancouver International Airport

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Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included

professional guides;
well-trained mountain horses;
tack;
1 night’s tented accommodation;
4 meals beginning with lunch on the day of arrival at base camp;
sleeping bags;
cots;
mats;
tents;
towels;
washcloths;
riding helmets, if wanted;
riding cape.

Extras

international flights to and from Canada;
transfer to and from airport;
travel insurance (we encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Canada);
tips, personal expenses;
wrangler gratuities;
lodging pre and post trip;
alcoholic beverages (not provided, however, you can bring them with you).

It's important to know

All riders under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless special permission has been from the Company prior to the ride.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

M
Megan

about provider

17 Aug, 2023

This was the best horseback riding trip we’ve ever been on. From the horses to our guide Kyla and the other guides we met, the views to the accommodation (and let’s not forget the food!), everything was top notch and even better than expected. I never wanted to leave and wish we were still there. Everywhere we rode was stunning, with fun, varied terrain and gorgeous landscapes all around, and beautiful lake swimming and river dips followed by the option of a hot shower at camp plus plentiful, delicious food - we couldn’t have had a better trip and will definitely be back.
S
Sally

about provider

9 Aug, 2023

This was incredible from start to finish! So many great things to say I hardly know where to start! The owners Don and Dudley have clearly put a lot of thought into how to make this a great experience. Most importantly the riding is fantastic. The horses are well looked after, well trained, and navigate technical and steep trails with ease. The scenery and views are simply spectacular. My wrangler Olivia was amazing and did a great job. After a long day in the saddle the camp was very comfortable. Don's cooking is fantastic! The dinners and breakfasts in camp were all amazing. The beds were extremely comfortable so I had a great nights sleep ready for the next day. If you asked me what I'd change I honestly can't think of a thing. I will never forget this experience. HIGHLY recommended!!!
J
Justin

about provider

19 Jul, 2023

If you really love riding, this is the trip for you. All I can say is WOW. This is the real thing! Mountain riding at its best. For me, the most important factor on any horseback riding adventure is always the condition of the horses. They were in fantastic shape, well cared for and beautifully trained. I was amazed at how effortlessly they seemed to handled the steep and rocky terrain. Our Wranglers, Shelby and Fran, took excellent care of all the riders and the horses. They were just a pleasure to ride with. Don cooked us fantastic meals and was always working in the background making sure everything ran smoothly. This is an incredibly well run outfit. We even had the luxury of hot showers, comfy cots and spacious tents all located beside a mountain stream just perfect for an icy dip at the end of a day in the saddle. HEAVEN !