Barrett Hat

5.60 km
205m gain
2.00 hours
Level 2.0/5
2.0/5
Difficulty
Easy
5.60
Distance
kilometres
205
Elevation Gain
metres
2.00
Est. Time
hours

About This Trail

 Barrett Hat is an easy 3.5-mile (5.6km) out-and-back trail in the Barrett Hat / Vallee Lake Recreation Area, 14.5km west of Houston. Rated easy with 613ft (187m) of elevation gain and taking approximately 1–1.5 hours, the trail is beginner-friendly with excellent signage throughout. Most of the trail is easy to moderately hilly, with a steeper push in the last few hundred metres before the summit. The payoff at the top is spectacular: a shelter built on the old fire lookout foundation with panoramic signage pointing out the Telkwa Range and the Morice-Bulkley Valley below — one of the most rewarding viewpoints near Houston for the effort required. The trail is part of the MORS (Morice Outdoor Recreation Society) network, which sees over 1,500 visits per year and includes several offshoot trails for those wanting a longer outing. Suitable for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and trail running. Open year-round. Located on the unceded traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en people.

Leave No Trace

Please follow Leave No Trace principles: pack out all waste, stay on designated trails, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.

Interactive Trail Map

Elevation Profile

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Getting There

Directions

 From the Houston Tourist Information building, drive west on Highway 16 for 14.5km. Turn left (south) onto Barrett Hat Road (not Barrett Station Road — watch for the correct sign). Travel 1.4km to the junction with Parish Road. The trail starts on the west side of this intersection, across from Barrett Hat Road, as an old overgrown road climbing uphill. The trailhead is clearly signed. Total distance from Houston is approximately 8.5km. 

Parking

 Free parking at the trailhead at the Barrett Hat Road / Parish Road junction, 14.5km west of Houston on Highway 16. No toilets at the trailhead. Picnic tables are available within the trail network. A shelter with benches and panorama signage is located at the summit and can serve as a rest point or picnic spot. All services available in Houston.

Safety & Preparation

 The trail is well-signed and beginner-friendly, but the final section to the summit is steeper take your time and wear appropriate footwear. Several offshoot trails branch from the main route download the MORS trail map to avoid getting turned around on your first visit. Bears are present in the Houston area carry bear spray and make noise on trail. The trail is open year-round; in winter conditions bring microspikes for the steeper upper section as it can become icy.

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