Upper Halfway Hot Springs: The Elusive Wilderness Soak

A Hidden Gem in the Halfway River Valley

Tucked high along a mountainside vein within the remote Halfway River valley lies an incredibly elusive soaking spot known to few as “Upper Halfway Hot Springs”—or by its alternate name, “Wholeway Hot Springs.” Unlike the popular Halfway Hot Springs managed by BC Parks, this one remains completely wild, untouched, and fiercely protected by its obscurity.

Route One: The Zip Line Crossing

Begin your journey the same way you would if visiting the main Halfway Hot Springs. But instead of turning off before the Halfway River bridge, cross the bridge and take an immediate right onto the forest service road. Reset your odometer.

At the 22.08 km mark, look for a rough track on your right—this makes a great spot to camp and stage your gear. From here, walk down to the river. You’ll see the remnants of an old bridge and a steel cable still strung between two trees. This is your makeshift zip line. Using a pulley, two carabiners, and a safety line, you can cross—at your own risk. This line is no longer maintained.

On the far side, follow the barely-there trail uphill. Veer left, then arc right along a 1.2 km stretch where the path virtually disappears. Despite the modest 230-meter elevation gain, the route is heavily overgrown with ferns, shifting rocks, and stinging nettle.

If you make it, you’ll spot a shallow, cement-reinforced soaking pool tucked against the streambed. Open the pipe to let it fill, then reseal it. Use the black siphon tubes nearby to cool the water by redirecting fresh creek water—without it, the water can become dangerously hot.

Route Two: The Full-Day Trek (Approx. 3 Hours One Way)

This alternate approach also begins from the road to Halfway Hot Springs. Reset your odometer at the BC Parks sign and continue for 1.5 km past a noticeable creek turn.

At 2.7 km, keep left at the fork. A rock slide around 3.75 km makes the road mostly impassable from this point forward.

Your hike begins in earnest. Start logging GPS coordinates and distance. At 0.6 km into the walk, cross a bridge and creek by taking a left. At 1.85 km, stay LEFT again on a more overgrown path—the trail to the right leads nowhere near the springs.

Around 2 km in, you’ll reach a landslide. Follow the edge of the debris on the right-hand side. The trail vanishes here, but you can track it by watching tree height—you’re walking through regrowth.

At roughly 5.04 km, look for a weathered, hand-carved wooden sign that reads “Wholeway Hot Springs.”

At 8.25 km, the trail merges with the one from Route One. From here, continue straight—don’t turn left toward the zip line crossing. At around 9.3 km, push through dense bush, cross a rocky stream bed, and you’ll arrive at the springs.

GPS Waypoints

Route 1
• Highway exit: 50.445964, -117.896717
• Trail parking: 50.505384, -117.663263
• Zip line: 50.503660, -117.664466
• Trail junction: 50.502912, -117.663701
• Hot springs: 50.498748, -117.654950

Route 2
• Highway exit: 50.427233, -117.895188
• Walk start: 50.500045, -117.746307
• Rock slide: 50.503504, -117.734233
• Wholeway sign: 50.504218, -117.698212
• Trail junction: 50.502912, -117.663701
• Hot springs: 50.498748, -117.654950

Seasonal Note

These springs are accessible year-round, but be warned: the stream that provides cool water runs dry by mid-July. Without this dilution, the spring can become dangerously hot for soaking. Plan accordingly.

A Final Caveat

Sections of the logging road used in Route One were reported washed out, making vehicle access uncertain beyond a certain point. A makeshift riverside bypass was possible at the time, but not considered safe or reliable. Be prepared to adapt—and possibly forge your path.

This adventure isn’t for everyone. But for those who seek solitude, challenge, and a hot spring experience untouched by the masses, Upper Halfway delivers in full.