What to know
- Vancouver is home to a plethora of scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy to “nature’s stairmaster”
- Burnaby Mountain in North Burnaby offers numerous hiking trails, ranging from beginner friendly to difficult. Some of the trails can be hiked in under an hour.
- The Grouse Grind is commonly referred to as “nature’s stairmaster” by locals and is a challenging stamina test.
- Golden Ears Provincial Park in Vancouver’s northeast offers three main routes, a 5.5 kilometre walk, a 11 kilometre hike, and a 12 kilometre all-day summit.
- Quarry Rock and Cypress Falls are two all-season beginner friendly hikes that take less than two hours to complete.
Unlike other big cities in Canada, Vancouver perfectly marries the bustle of big city life with tranquil hiking trails.
Surrounded by several mountains, including Grouse Mountain, Golden Ears, Mount Seymour, and Whistler, Vancouver is home to hundreds of walking trails and hikes. From easy scenic routes to all-day summits that will test your limits, there’s a trail for every hiker, from beginners to hobbyists, to professionals.
Here are five scenic hiking locations that are worth tackling alone or with a friend:
Burnaby Mountain Park
- Location: 800 Burnaby Mountain Pkwy.
Looking for a hiking location with multiple trails, each carrying a different difficulty level? Burnaby Mountain Park is the perfect destination. Located in North Burnaby, Burnaby Mountain offers a sea of hiking trails, from the Trans Canada Trail that starts at the bottom of the hill, to the Gear Jammer, to Cardiac Hill, to Mel’s Trail. Each trail is clearly labeled with a difficulty marker: green circle designates an easy trail, blue square represents a moderate difficulty trail, and the black diamond for hard trails. Tired after a hike? The top of Burnaby Mountain has a grocery store and several fast food joints.
Grouse Grind
- Location: 6400 Nancy Greene Way
The Grouse Grind, located on the side of Grouse Mountain, is perhaps Vancouver’s most infamous hike and is commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” Not for the faint of heart, the Grouse Grind is two-and-a-half kilometres long, with 2,830 stairs and an elevation gain of 800 metres. On average, it takes just over two hours to climb. Once at the top, hikers can enjoy free attractions like lumberjack shows, bear and wildlife exhibits, and a canopy adventure. It is imperative to buy a gondola ticket back down Grouse Mountain, as climbing back down is not recommended.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
- Location: 3590 Mountain Hwy.
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a stunning park and mountain peak located in Maple Ridge. The 556 square kilometre green space contains several hiking trails, ranging from an easy stroll to an all-day summit. Hikers can try their hands at three main routes: the Lower Falls Trail, an easy 5.5 kilometre hike that leads to roaring waterfalls; the West Canyon Trail to Gold Creek, a 11 kilometre trail that features river views and leads to a campsite; and the Golden Ears Summit Trail, a 24 kilometre 12 hour trek that rewards those who persevere with panoramic views.
Quarry Rock
- Location: 24480 Fern Cres.
Situated in a small bay near North Vancouver called Deep Cove, Quarry Rock is an extremely popular and well-trodden 3.8 kilometre beginner friendly hike. The path begins with a set of stairs and a maze of tree routes before leveling off. After about 40 minutes, hikers will arrive at Quarry Rock, which offers breathtaking views of Indian Arm and mountains near the village of Belcarra. Deep Cove is also a premier destination for kayaking and paddle boarding.
Cypress Falls
- Location: 4522 Woodgreen Pl.
Pining for a rewarding hike even in the winter? Cypress Falls is a great option. Set at a relatively low elevation, it’s a hiking trail that’s still accessible when other trails at higher elevations are covered in snow. A short 3 kilometer round trip with an elevation gain of only 130 metres, Cypress Falls winds through a forest of evergreen Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, two waterfalls, and a viewing area overlooking lower Cypress Falls.
