The best hikes for spring in Vancouver BC

Spring in Vancouver is one of my favourite times of the year. The weather starts to warm up and becomes a little less rainy, there’s the Vancouver cherry blossom season and the longer days and nicer weather mean there’s more opportunity for getting outdoors and enjoying some of the best spring hikes in Vancouver BC.

When you’re living in Vancouver and you experience the first warm and sunny day of the year, it’s like the city comes alive. You’ll suddenly start seeing more people out and about. Thequary’re cycling, walking, hiking, rollerblading and just enjoying the city. I love it. And one of the best things to do in Vancouver in spring in my view? Hiking!

However, spring in downtown Vancouver doesn’t mean it’s spring in the mountains.

Vancouver’s mountains often retain their snow cover well into June and for hikes in Whistler and Squamish, you can still find snow until mid-July or even later at higher elevations.

That means that it can be hard to find snow free hikes in Vancouver in spring. Luckily for you, I’ve picked out my favourite hikes in Vancouver in springtime for you to enjoy without having to worry about needing snowshoes. I would recommend you pack microspikes just in case though!

What to pack for hikes in Vancouver in spring time

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in Vancouver in spring you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list. Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• You should also microspikes just in case. And, if there’s a lot of snow according to recent trail conditions, then you should pack snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in (mine is also my ski touring backpack!).
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!

What to know before going on spring hikes in Vancouver

• Trail conditions: You can check trail conditions before going on hikes either by asking in Facebook groups, checking recent reviews on AllTrails or, if the hike is within BC Parks, they often have trail conditions posted online. Pack accordingly.
• Leave no trace: Always remember to leave no trace when you’re
• Be AdventureSmart: trip plan, train, and take the essentials
• Hiking in the snow is more tiring and takes longer than these hikes do in the summer. Give yourself plenty of time and start early to avoid hiking in the dark.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Map of hikes in Vancouver

Click the map image below to open up an interactive map of the locations of these hikes for spring in Vancouver.

Stawamus Chief

The Chief is one of the best year-round hikes near Vancouver as it’s rarely covered in snow. It’s the perfect spring time hike before the trails get too busy and the weather too hot.

As one of my favourite hikes in Squamish, the Chief not only has great views but is also quite a fun hike. Hiking the chief involves a long series of stairs to start followed by some ladders and steep sections with chains and ropes to help you get up them.

While the first peak gets the most attention and offers that classic view over downtown Squamish and the Howe Sound, I really enjoyed hiking to Peak 2 and Peak 3 of the Chief for a different viewpoint and an extended hike.

If you’re looking for an adventure, the Stawamus Chief hike is a great option!

• Distance: 4-6 km
• Duration: 4 – 6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Tunnel Bluffs

Another classic that regularly appears on lists of the best hikes in Vancouver is Tunnel Bluffs.

The Tunnel Bluffs hike begins in Lions Bay and follows the same trail as the route to Mt Harvey, the Lions and Mt Brunswick (the tallest mountain in the area).

Parking at Lions Bay can be very difficult in the spring and summer and you’ll need to pay close attention to signs. If you do manage to find space in the small parking lot right by the Tunnel Bluffs trailhead then you’ll need to pay to park.

Otherwise, there is usually more parking further down the hill and closer to the highway in the school’s parking lot. This is also a paid parking area.

Once you’ve made your way up the switchbacks which have quite an uphill grind to them, you’ll come to a sign pointing you to Mt Brunswick and Tunnel Bluffs.

From here, the trail flattens out rather considerably and you’ll make your way over some rivers and through the forest before coming out at the Tunnel Bluffs viewpoint.

The viewpoint is on a large rocky area and when it’s clear you get great views of the Howe Sound!

Before hiking Tunnel Bluffs: Please note that you are not allowed to camp on Tunnel Bluffs. Always take your rubbish with you, the last time I visited there was so much left up there. Parking at Lions Bay can be very difficult though it is easier for spring hikes than summer ones.

• Distance: 11.5 km
• Duration: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Lions Bay Loop

This is an easy hike in Vancouver that still gives you some incredible views, a waterfall and even some picnic benches to enjoy the views from.

While you’ll start off by walking alongside the road (but protected by a huge wall), you’ll then make your way into the forest pretty quickly and eventually come out at a beautiful waterfall.

At certain times of the year, you’ll also pass by some beautiful spring flowers in Vancouver.

I loved the Lions Bay Loop for an easy after-work hike and it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset too.

• Distance: 4.5 km
• Duration: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Sea to Summit

The Sea to Summit trail in Squamish is a super great hike as you have the option to take the Squamish gondola down instead of hiking down! Plus, there’s the cafe and restaurant at the top of the trail so you can grab a refreshing drink or some lunch before heading back down.

The trail itself is quite difficult and starts off the same way as the Chief with the wooden staircases.

After the stairs, you’ll branch off on a different trail towards the top of the Squamish gondola.

You’ll pass by different sections of Shannon Falls. Spring is actually the best time to view the falls as the snow melt means additional water flow flowing into them. This makes Shannon Falls super impressive!

Do not be tempted to swim in the pools at the falls, it’s extremely dangerous.

You’ll continue to climb uphill on this spring hike and there are some sections not too far from the top where you’ll climb over some large rocks. There are ropes to help you navigate your way over these if needed.

At the top be sure to walk over the suspension bridges and enjoy the incredible views of Squamish, the other mountains and the Howe Sound.

• Distance: 7.5 km (one-way)
• Duration: 4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate – hard

Rice Lake and Lynn Canyon area trails

Rice Lake in North Vancouver is perfect for a family-friendly hike in Vancouver in spring.

The path around Rice Lake is just over 2 km long with basically no elevation. You can easily combine a walk or run around Rice Lake with a walk over to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge or towards Norvan Falls.

The trails here are easy to follow and I’d highly recommend walking towards the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and finding the beautiful Twin Falls. The colour of the river in this part of North Vancouver is so beautiful!

The Lynn Canyon suspension bridge is a great free alternative to Capilano Suspension Bridge. While there’s only one bridge, it’s just as beautiful and as impressive!

There is also a cafe at Lynn Canyon. Plus there’s the End of the Line general store nearer Rice Lake which has loads of tasty treats and gifts that’d be perfect as souvenirs from Canada.

I could spend hours walking through this section of BC rainforest. It’s so beautiful and calming.

• Distance: 2.2 km + (depending on trails you chose)
• Duration: 30 mins – several hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Bowen Lookout

One of my favourite hikes that I’ve done so many times over the years is Bowen Lookout.

While in the earlier parts of spring in Vancouver, you’ll still need some microspikes, it’s still a spring or late winter hike in Vancouver.

The hike is short but does manage to fit in some steep climbing on a couple of switchbacks before you head downhill slightly and come out at the viewpoint.

bowenbowenQuite often in the early spring, it can be super cloudy in Vancouver but, if you check the Cypress Mountain webcams and see it’s sunny at the top of the chairlifts, it’ll be sunny at Bowen Lookout too and you can see a cloud inversion! It’s super cool to get above the clouds like this.

The view from Bowen Lookout is beautiful and you can see where Bowen Island is, the Sunshine Coast and the Howe Sound. It’s particularly pretty at sunset when you can watch the sun sink into the Pacific.

• Distance: 5 km
• Duration: 30 mins – 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Quarry Rock trail

Update March 2023: Quarry Rock is now open!

Quarry Rock is also one of the Vancouver hikes that can be accessed by public transit so you don’t even need a car. This is one of the reasons that it’s one of the most popular easy hikes in Vancouver. The other reason is, that you get some impressive views for little effort!

The trailhead for Quarry Rock is in Deep Cove and the hike takes 1-2 hours depending on how long you spend enjoying the views at the top.

You’ll walk through the forest with some gentle uphill sections over roots and rocks before coming out to a large rock (Quarry Rock!) with views of Deep Cove, Indian Arm and over to Belcarra.

One of the best things about this Vancouver spring hike? The chance that you can enjoy Honey’s Donuts and other fun things to do in Deep Cove after your walk.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 3.8 km
• Duration: 1-2 hours

Jug Island

This hike in Vancouver BC in spring is transit accessible and allows dogs too!

This was one of the first Vancouver hikes I did and I still think it’s a great one. Especially if you’re looking for spring walks in Vancouver.

Jug Island is a small island just off the northern tip of Belcarra Regional Park to the east of Vancouver. While you can’t walk out to the island, you can walk to the beach which sits just across from it. At the beach, you’ll get great views of the Indian Arm too.

The Indian Arm is super popular for kayaking and paddleboarding. In late summer you can even see bioluminescence (green/blue algae that light up as you move in the water) it’s super cool!

One thing to note is that the beach at Jug Island can either be barely there or relatively wide, depending on the tide times. If you’re planning to sit on the beach, it’d be a good idea to check the tide times before your hike.

The trail begins to climb from the parking lot quite quickly but soon flattens out. It’ll then get a bit wider and heads ever so slightly downhill, through the gorgeous forest and comes out at the beach and Jug Island.

• Distance: 5.5 km
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Dog Mountain

Dog Mountain on Mount Seymour is another fun thing to do in Vancouver in spring.

It’ll likely be snowy earlier on in the spring and some sections past the lake get closed as the snow melts. Make sure you check the trail conditions before going and abide by any closures.

If the trail is open, take your microspikes and head out through the forested trail until you come out at the opening and views of Vancouver, Burnaby, the ocean and other mountains.

If Mt Seymour ski area is still open when you do this hike then you’ll need to get a free day-use pass to hike Dog Mountain.

For the 23/24 winter season, you will need a day-use pass to access Mount Seymour and Brockton Point. Passes can be booked from 7 am, two days before your planned visit. Cancelled passes are added back to the list to book so you could book a cancellation. You can only book one AM/PM/All-day pass per day. you do not need a pass if you have a ski ticket for Seymour. Book your pass here.

• Distance: 5 km
• Duration: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Cleveland Dam

One of my favourite rainy-day things to do in Vancouver is to take a walk in the Cleveland Dam and Capilano Canyon area of North Vancouver.

For most of this springtime, Vancouver hike you’re under the cover of the forest canopy so it doesn’t matter if it’s wet.

You’ll also be walking on a mix of a gravel path, and boardwalks, across bridges and get great views of the North Shore mountains from the dam itself.

At the bottom of the hill from the dam, there’s the Capilano Salmon Hatchery which is super cool. Though best in the autumn when the salmon are returning to spawn, you can still see salmon around here and learn more about them from the information boards.

• Distance: 2-5 km
• Duration: 30 mins to 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Lower Falls trail in Golden Ears

One of the best hikes in Golden Ears Provincial Park in spring in Vancouver is the Lower Falls trail.

This trail takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of Golden Ears Park (which is really saying something) and brings you to Lower Falls.

The Lower Falls waterfall is an incredible green-ish colour and, as mentioned above, spring is the best time to check out waterfalls in Vancouver thanks to the snowmelt and spring run off!

The hike to Lower Gold Creek Falls in Golden Ears is easy with minimal elevation and it only takes about an hour there and back. Though you’ll probably want to factor in some extra time to appreciate the beauty of the falls!

• Distance: 5.5 km
• Duration: 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy

Buntzen Lake

Buntzen Lake is a popular picnic and swimming spot during summer in Vancouver. In the spring, it’s perfect for hiking as there are fewer crowds to contend with.

The Buntzen Lake trail is an easy Vancouver spring walk which starts in the same place as the popular Diez Vistas trail.

On the Buntzen Lake hike, you’ll walk all the way around beautiful Buntzen Lake on a 10 km, well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail. There are small sections uphill but it’s minimal and makes for a great spring walk.

Along the way are several viewing areas and benches where you can sit and soak in the views. It’s also a dog-friendly hike in Vancouver so you can bring your fluffy friend!

• Distance: 10 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: 2-3 hours

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is another place that’s great for spring hikes in Vancouver.

The park is home to some of the largest Douglas fir trees near the city and you can take either an easy short hike or a longer hike; it’s up to you!

Plus, there is the attraction of the lighthouse that Lighthouse Park gets its name after. There’s also a little Vancouver hidden gem for you to try and find.

You can get to this hike using public transit and it’s dog friendly too.

• Distance: varies, can be 0.5 km to 5 km
• Duration: 30 mins – 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Whytecliff Park

Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver is the perfect spot for some oceanside walks.

The park is known for its dome-shaped island that you can reach at low tide by walking across a rocky path. Just make sure to pay attention to the tides so you don’t get stuck!

The park is also popular with scuba divers and there are numerous trails accessible from the opposite side of the parking lot to the ocean which you can explore.

• Distance: varies
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Difficulty: easy

Mount Gardner

Mount Gardner on Bowen Island is one of the best hikes on the island; it’s also the tallest!

The hike to the summit of Mt Gardner starts by going through the forest and you only come out of the trees once you reach the top.

While the main viewpoint isn’t the true summit of Mt Gardner, they’re not far off. The views are also incredible with Vancouver and West Vancouver in one direction, and the Sunshine Coast in the other.

This mountain rarely sees snow so it’s a great hike in spring in Vancouver.

• Distance: 7.7 km
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Brohm Lake

Brohm Lake is a super popular lake in Squamish but is much quieter in the spring time.

The hike around Brohm Lake takes you the entire way around the lake and you’ve also got the option to go up to Tantalus viewpoint which I’d recommend.

The Tantalus viewpoint goes up through the forest and brings you out to incredible views of the Tantalus Mountain range. This may have snow on it in early spring but it’s great for hiking in May onwards.

If you stick to just going around the lake, you’ll cross over a small wooden bridge at the other end of Brohm Lake to where you started.

• Distance: Varies depending on the route you take, usually under 5 km
• Duration: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Murrin Park and Quercus Lookout

One of the most popular hikes in Squamish with great views is the Murrin Loop trail. The lake is super popular with families for picnics, or fishermen on the lake and climbers on routes in the forest. However, in the spring it’s usually a bit quieter and much easier to get a parking spot in the parking lot.

The trail starts just off the highway at the parking lot for Murrin Lake and takes you up through the forest before coming out to the Quercus Viewpoint.

If you want to make it tricker, you can walk along the Jurassic Ridge trail which has some more technical sections.

This is one of the best hikes around Vancouver to watch the sunset as it’s such as short and easy trail. You’ll also get incredible views of the Howe Sound as the sun goes down and you can also see the Sea to Sky highway.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 2 km

Norvan Falls

Norvan Falls is a long spring hike in Vancouver that has minimal elevation. It goes through some of the most beautiful forests in North Vancouver so it’s perfect for a rainy day hike. Or, you can take the flat gravel trail along the river on the Lynn Loop trail for some of the routes before heading into the forest.

As with the other waterfalls in Vancouver, spring is such a good time to hike to Norvan Falls. The falls will be at their most powerful with all the snowmelt from the north shore mountains which makes it super cool.

It’s such a great option if you’re looking for North Vancouver walking trails. It’s also one of the top hikes in Vancouver during the fall.

• Duration: 5 hours
• Distance: 14 km
• Difficulty: Moderate

Hunter Road, Mission

A trail that’s become super popular in recent years is the Hunter Trail near Mission. Parking can be tricky so make sure you arrive early to find a spot.

This is quite an easy hike for spring in Vancouver and takes you along a forestry service road for most of the way. At the end of the hike, you’ll come out to a beautiful viewpoint of Stave Lake.

The hike itself isn’t the most interesting, it’s really all about the views at the end, rather than what you see along the way. But, there’s something quite special about the forest that you’ll walk through.

This trail is rarely snowy but be sure to check trail conditions or recent reviews on AllTrails before heading out.

• Distance: 7.7 km
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Whyte Lake

For places to hike in Vancouver in spring, be sure to check out Whyte Lake.

The trail to Whyte Lake has minimal elevation and goes through the forest of West Vancouver before coming out to the lake.

The lake itself isn’t one of the prettiest lakes near Vancouver, but it’s still in quite a cool location in the forest. You’ve probably driven not far from it many a time and had no idea it was there! There’s a wooden dock and some boardwalk area.

You can also continue from Whyte Lake up to West Knob but this trail gets steeper. It is usually snow-free in spring though.

There are also routes towards Eagle Bluffs along the Baden Powell Trail. However, this will most definitely have snow on it well into late spring and early summer.

• Distance: 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls

Kennedy Falls is one of the best hikes in North Vancouver is a great hike through the forest that ends in a pretty spectacular waterfall. this is another awesome Vancouver hike that’s accessible on public transit.

Though the waterfall isn’t the tallest one in the area, it’s still pretty impressive, especially during spring in winter.

Along the way, you’ll also go past the Big Cedar tree which is a massive Red Cedar tree that’s estimated to be over 600 years old! Nowadays there’s some fencing put around the tree to stop it from being damaged, but you’re still able to appreciate the sheer size of it.

There’s also some old logging equipment that’s been left behind in the forest to look out for. It all adds to the attraction of this hike.

There’s some elevation gain along the route, but nothing super steep. Just watch out for mountain bikers going up and down the Fromme service road at the start and end of your hike.

• Distance: 10 km
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Cypress Falls

Cypress Falls is hidden away in West Vancouver and most people don’t even know it’s there. You’ll take a short and easy walk through the forest before coming out to a small viewing area of Cypress Falls.

A great hike with kids in Vancouver, or a rainy day hike, enjoy the falls and admire the 300-year-old Douglas and Cedar trees.

Thanks to its low elevation, the Cypress Falls hike is snow-free pretty much all year round and is the perfect place to explore in spring.

• Distance: 3 km
• Duration: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy 

Cheakamus Lake

As one of the first hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park to become snow-free thanks to its lower elevation, Cheakamus Lake is a grat hike in spring in Vancouver.

This hike is mostly flat and has great views of the beautiful blue Cheakamus Lake as well as the mountains that makeup part of the Whistler Blackcomb ski area.

You’re also allowed to mountain bike the trail which is a nice way to mix things up and a fun activity near Vancouver in spring.

You can also camp in one of the two campsites by Cheakamus Lake, but make sure you book in advance. It’s easily one of the best campsites near Whistler. This makes it a great option for overnight spring hiking in Vancouver.

• Distance: 15 km
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy but quite long

Baden Powell: Grouse Mountain to Deep Cove

If you’re looking for a long hike or trail run near Vancouver, then check out the Baden Powell trail from Grouse Mountain to Deep Cove

You’ll head up through the north shore forest, cross rivers and streams, go over boardwalks and staircases (up + down) and traverse half of the north shore mountain range.

It’s a long trail, but you can break it up into sections over a weekend or longer. There are many access points along the way and plenty of places you can get public transit to.

This section of the trail goes through Lynn Canyon (above) so it’s super scenic!

• Distance: 22 km
• Duration: 5 hours +
• Difficulty: Easy but long

FAQs about hiking Vancouver in spring

Final thoughts on the best Spring hikes Vancouver has to offer

These trails for hiking Vancouver BC in spring are a great mix of easy hikes in BC and lower elevation options that become snow-free quicker in the year.

Whether you’re looking for hiking near Vancouver that combines a trail with a waterfall such as the Sea to Summit trail in Squamish, or a hike around a lake like Cheakamus Lake in Whistler, these hikes near Vancouver BC are ideal for hiking between March – May as well as into the summer.

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Hannah