Cypress Falls hike, Vancouver
Cypress Falls in West Vancouver is an awesome area for some easy and short hikes with a beautiful Vancouver waterfall to discover.
You can hike this from various starting points and it’s a great, relatively easy hike in Vancouver that’s accessible on transit.
When it comes to what to do in Vancouver when it rains, going for a hike in the forest is always a good choice the trees help block out the rain, and there’s just something about the forest in the mist.
Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver has the Cypress Falls hike; a short and easy hike in Vancouver that has an impressive waterfall at the end too. It’s much shorter than other waterfall hikes like Norvan Falls and Kennedy Falls and arguably more impressive.
If you’re looking for a hike in Vancouver, check out the rest of this post for more information on the Cypress Falls hike.
Table of Contents
Cypress Falls Park West Vancouver
Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver has a couple of very impressive waterfalls tucked away in the woods. It’s just a few hundred meters from the highway but you’d never guess once you step into the forest!
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.
Cypress Falls hike Vancouver
This easy trail begins at a small parking lot where you’ll follow the trail out towards the forest.
Make a left and follow the sound of rushing water as you begin to climb gradually uphill. You’ll come to a junction pretty soon at which you’ll take another left.
As you continue, make sure to enjoy the trees and the sound of the water getting closer. Soon you’ll see a wooden bridge to your right, the bridge takes you above lower Cypress Falls and gives you a great view of the river rushing below.
Leave the bridge the same way you entered it and take a right to continue uphill.
You’ll come to a steep hill and then reach a chain-link fence with a large warning sign. Going past this fence takes you out of Cypress Falls Park, the terrain is a bit steeper but it’s not dangerous per se. Just don’t get too close to the edge anywhere near the Cypress waterfall or go past the fences.
As you continue the sound of the waterfall will get louder and louder. Then, you’ll come to a viewing area where you can enjoy Cypress Falls in all its glory!
Head back down through the forest the way you came or spend some time searching for the Cypress Falls car wreck which is said to be nearby.
How to get to Cypress Falls Park
Take the Sea to Sky Highway and exit at exit 4 to Woodgreen/Caulfield Drive. Turn right at the stop sign onto Woodgreen Drive. Turn right onto Woodgreen Place, which leads to the parking lot and trailhead.
Even on a rainy weekend morning, the parking lot was busy! There’s limited parking available outside of the main parking lot. Given how short the hike is, it’s likely you’ll get a spot if you’re prepared to wait 10 minutes too.
Cypress Falls trail statistics
- Distance: 3km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: 130m
- See a Cypress Falls Park map.
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.
What to know before you go
- Best time for Cypress Falls Park: Good all year round.
- Be adventure smart: Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails. Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials AdventureSmart is a great resource to help you get informed before heading outdoors
- Pack your 10 essentials.
- Take bear spray, you’re hiking in bear country! And remember your bear safety tips.
- Remember to leave no trace.
- Cypress Falls Vancouver is dog-friendly
What to pack for hikes near Vancouver
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.
FAQs about Cypress Falls Park
How long is the Cypress Falls hike?
The Cypress Falls hike is approximately a 3 km round trip.
Where do you park for Cypress Falls?
Parking for the Cypress Falls hike is available at the Cypress Falls Park parking lot, off of Woodgreen Place in West Vancouver. Parking is limited, so it’s a good idea to arrive early, especially on weekends or during peak hiking season. Always make sure to respect the surrounding residential area and avoid blocking any driveways or private roads.
Final thoughts on the Cypress Falls Park hike
Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver is a great place to go for a walk and see some beautiful waterfalls not far from the city.
This is a great hike for any time of year including if you’re looking for spring hikes in Vancouver, winter hikes in Vancouver, or autumn hikes near Vancouver.
Even if you don’t hike a lot, this trail is easy. If you like listening to water and seeing big old trees, this is the spot!
Last Updated on September 14, 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.
