Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / 10 hikes near Vancouver you need to try

10 hikes near Vancouver you need to try

May 15, 2019 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

For locals and visitors looking for fun things to do around the Lower Mainland, great hikes often top the list.

With a quick scan of these local favourites, it’s easy to see why!

Panorama Ridge

Grade: Difficult

An unbelievable landscape of snow-capped mountains and a turquoise glacier lake make Panorama Ridge one the most scenic hikes in B.C.Experience a panoramic view of Black Tusk, Castle Towers, the Helm Lake area, and more, high above Garibaldi Lake. This hike is challenging and is more of a two-day adventure. Consider hiking to Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake, camping overnight and continuing. The trail is well marked, and a number of large maps on the way give directions. Be well prepared to take on this mesmerizing hike.

  • Duration: About 11 hours to complete the 30-kilometre loop
  • Start at: Rubble Creek parking lot in Garibaldi Provincial Park just off of the Sea to Sky Highway
  • From downtown Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: No

Photo by Lisa weber

Black Tusk

Grade: Difficult

Alpine paradise meets the dark jagged edges. Black Tusk stands out from the surrounding peaks.It’s almost vertical on all sides, with an elevation gain of 1,740 meters. The trail passes over streams and shows evidence of ancient volcanic rockslides. One option is to pack your camping gear, head to Taylor Meadows and camp out, then make your way to Panorama Ridge and Garibaldi Lake.

  • Duration: About 11 hours for the 29-kilometre round trip.
  • Start at: Rubble Creek parking lot in Garibaldi Provincial Park just off of the Sea to Sky Highway.
  • From downtown Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: No

Photo by: Emily Wright

Garibaldi Lake Trail

Grade: Moderate

This stunning glacier-fed lake is nestled between the mountains, surrounded by meadows and volcanic structures. This backcountry hike goes through deep forests made up mostly of Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir. The trail leads to a beautiful view of Garibaldi Lake and its backdrop, Castle Towers Mountain. The trail will also bring you to Garibaldi Lake campground (reservations required and can be made online).

  • Duration: The 18-kilometre round trip takes about 5-6 hours.
  • Start at: Rubble Creek parking lot in Garibaldi Provincial Park just off of the Sea to Sky Highway
  • From downtown Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: No

St. Marks Summit

Grade: Intermediate

St. Marks Summit is an incredible vantage point located in Cyprus Park in West Vancouver. Reaching the summit peak shows the islands of Howe Sound, the Tantalus Range, and even Vancouver Island. One of the most compelling features is the huge and varied terrain. As you ascend the mountains, the gravel and dirt trail goes through a deep forest over the 460-metre elevation gain.

  • Duration: A round trip of 11 kilometres can be done in 4-5 hours
  • Start at: Cypress Mountain ski area parking lot at 6000 Cypress Bowl Road in West Vancouver.
  • From downtown: 45 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: On-leash

Stawamus Chief

Grade: Intermediate

The world’s second-largest granite monolith is very popular among the locals because of the photos taken at the top to celebrate the climb. There are three different peaks to get the most out of the views of the ocean and mountains in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Be prepared, as you will need to hurdle over chains, ladders and ropes.

  • Duration: Round trip is 11 kilometres. It’s about 90 minutes to reach Peak 1 or six hours to complete all 3 peaks.
  • Start at: Shannon Falls parking lot off the Sea to Sky Highway
  • From downtown: 1 hour
  • Dog-friendly: On-leash

Dog Mountain Trail

Grade: Easy/Intermediate

Get a view of the city on a clear day with this easy and popular trail on Mount Seymour. Take in the scenery of Stanley Park, the Georgia Strait, the Fraser Valley, and the stunning Mount Baker way over in Washington State. Detour to Mystery Lake for a swim or a picnic.

  • Duration: The 5-kilometre round trip takes nearly 2 hours.
  • Start at: Mount Seymour parking lot, at 1700 Mount Seymour Road in North Vancouver.
  • From downtown: 50 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: On-leash

Photo by: Lou Fassullo

Stanley Park

Grade: Easy

Just outside of the downtown core, Stanley Park is the most popular place for tourists in the city. There’s a variety of trails for walking, biking and rollerblading. The best route is around the seawall, with its fabulous views of the city, beaches, mountains, and Lions Gate Bridge. Wind through the deep foliage and towering trees on Siwash Rock Trail, Third Beach Trail, or the Lake Trail north of Beaver Lake.

  • Duration: A round trip of 6.5 kiloemtre is 2 hours
  • Start at: Near the central area of the Rose Garden and bus loop
  • From downtown: 10 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: On-leash

Photo by: Mackenzie Jasper

Twin Falls Hike in Lynn Canyon:

Grade: Easy

Over in North Vancouver, Twin Falls is a short hike that crosses the famous Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and takes you over the falls. Experience a lush and remote scenic forest. Below the falls, the water settles down and gets shallow for a refreshing swim.

  • Duration: 1 hour for a 1.5-kilometre loop
  • Start at: Parking area by the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, across the free suspension bridge
  • From downtown: 30 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: On-leash

Foreshore Trail

Grade: Easy

This scenic beach route in Pacific Spirit Regional Park takes your past the city’s only nude beach, Wreck Beach, out to views of the Georgia Strait, Bowen Island, and Howe Sound. See the World War II instrument tower that served as a warning system in case of a possible attack. Most of the trail follows the rocky beach, which can be slippery during high tides.

  • Duration: One-way – kilometres – takes 3 hours
  • Start at: From the parking lot at Acadia Beach, walk down the trail towards the beach
  • From downtown: 20 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: No

Thunderbird Ridge

Grade: Easy

Thunderbird is a quick hike from the top of Grouse Mountain with views of Crown Mountain, Kennedy Lake, and the city below on a clear day. Take a short detour to spots like Little Goat Mountain, Dam Mountain, or the Hanes Valley.

  • Duration: 2.5 km of a round trip of 6km
  • Start at: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way in North Vancouver
  • From downtown: 30 minutes
  • Dog-friendly: No

Ready to explore these and other awesome places to go in the Lower Mainland?

Plan your future adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Vancouver

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

The three Western Canadian locations on FishingBooker.com’s list of Canada’s best fishing destinations reveal the…

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in CanadaRead More

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

A property that includes fescue grasslands, forests and wetlands near Waterton Lakes National Park in…

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern AlbertaRead More

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

Parks Canada says visitors will be able to start booking reservations for camping and other…

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activitiesRead More

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

What is an ‘easy’ hike? For a mountaineer, an easy hike might be one that…

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trailsRead More

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

A Kelowna photographer captured images of a pack of wolves while on a weekend hike…

‘It was a super cool experience’: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in KelownaRead More

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in Golden

He might be a better skier and influencer than any Gen Z could imagine, possibly…

Gary the cat shreds the gnar in GoldenRead More

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!

What’s going on around the West Coast? Here’s your inside guide to what’s happening where,…

Travel on the Fly: Dine Out Vancouver; Waddling with penguins in Calgary; Fernie’s powder perfection + more!Read More

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands

Many travellers believe spring and summer are the best times to explore. That means the…

Nothing is the New Something in B.C.’s Southern Gulf IslandsRead More

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contest

A dramatic image by professional Vancouver Island photographer Anthony Bucci will represent Canada in a…

Vancouver Island photographer’s bald eagle image is Canada’s choice for international contestRead More

Previous Post: « Plan to hike and get high? Here’s some wisdom from the trail
Next Post: Vancouver waterfront wonders you can’t miss »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Recent Posts

Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

January 31, 2023

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

January 31, 2023

Parks Canada updating its reservation system to book camping and other activities

January 31, 2023

Knowledge is power: New guidebooks map accessible PNW trails

January 30, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved