Bowen Lookout trail, Cypress Mountain (+Bowen Lookout snowshoe)
The Bowen Lookout hike is my go-to when I just need a short, easy hike near Vancouver with a great view.
I’ve done this hike so many times that I’ve lost count and it’s where I take friends who are visiting the city, or the place I suggest when friends and I just want to get outside.
From Bowen Lookout, I’ve seen incredible sunsets and sunrises and cloud inversions too. I just love it here!
This hike can be done in an hour (but likely more since you’ll want t to enjoy the view) and is the perfect place to watch the sunset near Vancouver.
Whilst it’s most commonly done as an addition to either the St Mark’s Summit hike or Mt Strachan, it’s definitely worthwhile doing as a hike on its own.
You can also do a Bowen Lookout snowshoe hike in the winter if you’re looking for winter hikes near Vancouver.
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Cypress Mountain Bowen Lookout hike
The Bowen Lookout trail is an easy, short hike with amazing views. As the name suggests, this Cypress Mountain lookout viewpoint looks out to Bowen Island.
However, you can also see Vancouver Island, The Sunshine Coast, Anvil, and Gambier Islands.
Often done as an extra stop off on the way to St Mark’s Summit, Bowen Lookout is well worthy of being the destination too!
Bowen Lookout Vancouver statistics
Know the essential hike details for the Bowen Lookout trail/Cypress Mountain viewpoint.
- Bowen Lookout Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 5 km
- Elevation: 100 m
- Bowen lookout hike time: 1 hour
- Bowen Lookout camping: Not Permitted
- Dogs: Permitted on leash
- Bowen Lookout AllTrails map
Bowen Lookout trail
Bowen Lookout parking is at the Cypress Ski Area parking lots.
Starting at the parking lot for Cypress ski resort, head towards the ski area with the main lodge on your lefthand side until you reach the Cypress Provincial Park signboard and map.
At the bottom of the Lions Express Quad Chairlift, there’s a trail marker heading into the forest signposted ‘Howe Sound Crest Trail’. Follow this route into the woods.
Very quickly, you’ll arrive at a small junction.
Here, you can continue straight, following signs for Bowen Lookout rather than Howe Sound Crest Trail for a more scenic hike. Or, take the Howe Sound Crest Trail path.
You’ll end up in the same place.
You’ll then notice the Eagle Express Quad Chair on your left, but keep going straight into the meadow and towards Yew Lake.
Then, make a right at the junction marked for Bowen Lookout.
After a short, small climb in the forest, make a left at the sign for Bowen Lookout and then left again once you reach the gravel road.
This is where you’ll come to if you don’t take the Yew Lake trail route.
The road is flat and you’ll cross over a small bridge before beginning to climb uphill over a series of switchbacks. The switchbacks get progressively steeper but there are only about 5 of them to tackle.
The last of the switchbacks is the steepest, as you round the corner, look out for a sign pointing downhill to Bowen Lookout.
A few hundred metres down this path you’ll come out to Bowen Lookout and the beautiful views at this Cypress Mountain Viewpoint.
To return, retrace your steps to the parking lot.
Note: DO NOT feed the birds. There are lots of Whisky Jacks and Blue Jays (also chipmunks), that’ll come and try to get any snacks you’ve got – Do not feed them.
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.
Bowen Lookout snowshoe trail
The only thing better than hiking to Bowen Lookout in Summer is hiking to Bowen Lookout in winter after a fresh snowfall.
When the Cypress Mountain ski resort is open you’ll need to get a free backcountry pass tag.
You can get this from the backcountry hut which is towards the back of the main/upper parking lot at the Cypress Mountain downhill area.
The snowshoe trail to Bowen Lookout follows much of the same route but the starting point is a little different.
Head towards the Eagle Express Chairlift (the one on the left hand side as you approach from the parking lot), to the snowshoe trail area which is where you’ll start the Bowen lookout winter trail.
Follow the orange-tipped poles until you reach a junction. Take the trail to the right alongside Yew Lake and then follow the directions above. The trail is well marked out in winter.
Snowshoe rentals at Cypress Mountain
While the Hollyburn Nordic ski area does offer snowshoe rentals, you’re not permitted to take them out of that area.
Therefore, if you need to rent snowshoes for Bowen Lookout, I recommend renting them in Vancouver before heading up the mountain.
You can rent them at MEC or at Bees Knees on Burrard and Harwood downtown. Alternatively, buy your own pair of snowshoes for your Bowen Island lookout snowshoe hike!
How to get to Bowen Lookout Cypress Provincial Park
The Bowen Lookout trailhead goes from the Cypress Bowl downhill ski area by the Cypress Creek Lodge.
You can park for free in the upper car park. But, if there’s any chance you’ll be out past 8 pm then you’ll need to make sure you park before the gates to avoid your car being locked in.
From downtown Vancouver, head over Lions Gate Bridge and follow signs to Whistler to join Highway 99 headed north.
Then, take signs to Cypress Ski Area.
The trailhead is about 30 minutes away from Vancouver, depending on traffic.
Know before you go
- Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
- Just because it’s spring in the city, there’s often still snow in the local mountains until July.
- Carry bear spray with you on all BC hiking trails. Get more bear safety tips here!
- Wondering what to pack for Vancouver day hikes? Here’s a hiking packing list!
- Refresh your memory about hiking safety with BC Adventure Smart.
- Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!
- Dogs are allowed on a leash.
- This map from MEC is great for North Shore hiking and Cypress mountain trails.
What to pack for Bowen Lookout
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need 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.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
Other Cypress Mountain hikes
If you’re looking for other local hikes and more Cypress hiking trails I recommend continuing this hike to Saint Mark’s Sumit.
You could also check out a harder hike like Mount Strachan, or one that’s not too much more difficult such as Hollyburn Mountain which starts in the Cypress Nordic Ski Area.
If you’re looking for other great views, be sure to stop off at the Cypress viewpoint which is just off the road on your way up to the ski area. This is a great spot at sunset!
Another option is the Horseshoe Bay Lookout which is in my Vancouver hidden gems guide.
Last Updated on October 29, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.