Vancouver Hiking

Take a hike: Hiking and walking in Vancouver

The Greater Vancouver Regional District has year round mild weather which makes it perfect for hiking and walking. There are a wide variety of trails and paths, both mountainous and not so mountainous. If you want to scale a mountain you can do that. If you want to stroll leisurely, take lots of breaks and sit on a bench you can do that, too.

Vancouver Grouse Grind

Perhaps the most popular hike within the city limits is the Grouse Grind or ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster’ as Vancouverites call it. This hike is 2.6 kilometers straight up, and is not for the faint of heart. Once you are 25% into the trial you are committed and there is no turning back permitted. The stairs go straight up and if you are not in good shape, do not attempt it. If you enjoy a challenge- by all means go for it! Enjoy a snack on the peak of Grouse Mountain and a well deserved ride down the on the tram.

Stanley Park Seawall

If the thought of the Grind scares you, why not walk around the seawall? This 7 kilometer walk is flat and there are lots of benches and places to shorten your trip. Or better yet, bike around it. If 7 kilometers is too much for you, head over to Pacific Spirit Park in the University endowment lands and pick one of many easy wooded trails. There are over 760 hectares of space so you can walk as little or as much as you like! Beaches forests, marshes, tidal flats, it’s all there for the hiking!

North Vancouver Hiking - Lynn Peak

Lynn Peak is also popular hike and is located in North Vancouver in Lynn Headwater Regional Park. The Lynn Loop trail is 8 kilometers and once you reach the peak there is a fantastic view of Vancouver! This hike is moderately difficult (it takes 3-4 hours to complete), but you can turn back if it is too much for you, unlike the Grouse Grind!

Mount Seymour Hiking

Mount Seymour is also within the city limits and is very popular. It starts out as a gravel path on the ski hill and takes 5 hours to complete. Brockton Point is a popular viewpoint and has spectacular views of Indian Arm and Golden Ears Peak. Be warned that weather can change very quickly on Mount Seymour so bring appropriate clothing.

Vancouver Hiking Trails Sorted by Name:

Trail Name	Region	Difficulty	Time	Distance	Season
Admiralty Point	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	1.5 hours	5km	year-round
Alice Lake	Howe Sound	Easy	2 hours	6km	April - November
Baden Powell Deep Cove to Lynn Canyon	The North Shore	Intermediate	5 hours	12km	year-round
Baden Powell Lynn Canyon to Grouse	The North Shore	Intermediate	5 hours	10km	year-round
Black Tusk	Whistler	Difficult	11 hours	29km	July - October
Brandywine Falls	Whistler	Easy	0.5 hours	1km	year-round
Brandywine Meadows	Whistler	Difficult	3.5 hours	6km	July - October
Brothers Creek Loop	The North Shore	Intermediate	4 hours	7km	April - November
Brunswick Point	Lower Fraser Valley	Easy	2 hours	8km	year-round
Buntzen Lake	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	3.5 hours	8km	year-round
Burnaby Lake	Vancouver City	Easy	2 hours	10km	year-round
Capilano Canyon	The North Shore	Easy	1 hour	2.6km	year-round
Cheakamus Lake	Whistler	Easy	5 hours	16km	May - November
Cypress Falls	The North Shore	Easy	1.5 hours	3km	Year - round
Deas Island Regional Park	Vancouver City	Easy	2 hours	4.5km	year-round
Deer Lake	Vancouver City	Easy	2 hours	5km	year-round
Dog Mountain	The North Shore	Easy	2 hours	5km	June - October
Eagle Bluffs	The North Shore	Intermediate	4 hours	8km	July - October
Elfin Lakes	Howe Sound	Intermediate	6 hours	22km	July - October
Elk Mountain	Lower Fraser Valley	Intermediate	4 hours	7km	June - October
Garibaldi Lake	Whistler	Intermediate	5 hours	18km	July - October
Goat Mountain	The North Shore	Intermediate	4 hours	8km	July - October
Gold Creek Falls	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	2 hours	5.5km	year-round
Goldie Lake	The North Shore	Easy	2 hours	3km	June - October
Grouse Grind	The North Shore	Difficult	1.5 - 2 hours	2.9km	June - September
Hayward Lake	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	5.5 hours	17km	year-round
High Falls Creek	Howe Sound	Intermediate	5 hours	12 km	May - October
Hollyburn Mountain	The North Shore	Intermediate	3.5 hours	7km	July - October
Joffre Lakes	Pemberton	Intermediate	5 hours	11km	June - September
Jug Island Beach	Upper Fraser Valley	Intermediate	2.5 hours	5.5km	year-round
Killarney Lake	Howe Sound	Easy	2 hours	9km	year-round
Levette Lake Loop	Howe Sound	Intermediate	5 hours	11km	May - November
Lighthouse Park	The North Shore	Easy	2 hours	up to 6km	year-round
Lindeman Lake	Lower Fraser Valley	Intermediate	2 hours	3.4km	May - October
Lower Hollyburn	The North Shore	Intermediate	4.5 hours	10km	May - November
Lynn Loop	The North Shore	Easy	1.5 hours	5.1km	year-round
Lynn Peak	The North Shore	Intermediate	4 hours	9km	June - October
Mike Lake	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	0.75 hours	2km	year-round
Minnekhada Regional Park	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	2.5 hours	10km	year-round
Mount Cheam	Lower Fraser Valley	Intermediate	4.5 hours	9.5km	July - October
Mount Gardner	Howe Sound	Intermediate	7 hours	17km	year-round
Mount Seymour	The North Shore	Intermediate	5 hours	9km	July - October
Mundy Park	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	2 hours	6km	year-round
Nairn Falls	Pemberton	Easy	1.5 hours	3km	year-round
Norvan Falls	The North Shore	Intermediate	5 hours	14 km	year-round
Pacific Spirit Regional Park	Vancouver City	Easy	3 hours	10km	year-round
Panorama Ridge	Whistler	Difficult	11 hours	30km	July - October
Pitt Wildlife Loop	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	4 hours	up to 15km	year-round
Quarry Rock	The North Shore	Easy	2 hours	3.8km	year-round
Rice Lake	The North Shore	Easy	1 hours	3km	year-round
Rolley Lake	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	2 hours	5km	year-round
Sasamat Lake	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	3 hours	8km	year-round
Sendero Diez Vistas	Upper Fraser Valley	Intermediate	6 - 7 hours	15km	April - November
Shadow Lake	Pemberton	Easy	2 hours	5km	June - October
St Mark's Summit	The North Shore	Intermediate	5 hours	11km	July - October
Stanley Park	Vancouver City	Easy	2 hours	6.5km	year-round
Stawamus Chief	Howe Sound	Intermediate	6 hours	11km	March - November
Sumas Mountain	Lower Fraser Valley	Intermediate	6.5 hours	13.5km	May - November
Teapot Hill	Lower Fraser Valley	Easy	2 hours	5km	year-round
The Lions Binkert Trail	Howe Sound	Difficult	8 hours	16km	July - October
Two Canyon Loop	The North Shore	Intermediate	3 hours	8km	February - November
UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest	Upper Fraser Valley	Intermediate	3 hours	8km	February - November
Wedgemount Lake	Whistler	Difficult	7 hours	14km	July - September
Widgeon Falls	Upper Fraser Valley	Easy	5 hours	6km	year-round

Here are some tips for hikers:

-Bring appropriated gear- the weather can change very quickly the higher up you go. Dress in layers. Broadway and Cambie in Vancouver that sells the most outdoor clothing, so stop off there before heading out on your hike. It is easily accessible by transit (Broadway/City Hall on the Canada Line)
-Bring a cell phone. Even the most experienced hikers have gotten into trouble and their cell phone has saved their lives
-Bring water and food
-Research your hike/walk thoroughly before going
-Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses, no matter what time of year you are going
-Do not feed or approach wildlife- keep your distance: remember: you are in their house!

More information is available on these sites:
http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/AirLandActivities/Hiking/Vancouver.htm
http://www.greenclub.bc.ca
http://www.grousemountain.com/Winter/vancouver-bc-hiking-trails-trips/