Eagle Bluffs Hike and Black Mountain hike on Cypress Mountain
The Eagle Bluffs hike in the Cypress Mountain ski resort area is one of the best hikes in Vancouver BC and one that I’ve now done many a time.
I’ve even ski toured out this way though on that occasion I stopped at Black Mountain since navigating the forest on skis is tricky!
Cypress Mountain Provincial Park offers some of the best hikes in Vancouver and the Eagle Bluffs hike and Black Mountain trail are great examples of the great options you have for a Cypress mountain hike.
The Eagle Mountain hike offers a great view of downtown Vancouver, Eagle Harbour, Howe Sound, and (on a clear day) Vancouver Island and Olympic National Park.
There’s minimal effort involved (once you’re past the first steep part!) and you’ll pass a couple of the best lakes in Vancouver too.
If you’ve already done some of the other great hikes in this area such as Hollyburn Mountain or Mount Strachan, then Eagle Bluffs is another hike to try.
I recommend waiting for a clear day since the views are what make this hike extra special. However, the first time I did this hike there were absolutely no views and I still had fun!
If you’re planning on hiking Eagleridge Bluffs in Cypress Provincial Park (one of the best Cypress hikes), be sure to check out this guide!
Eagle Bluffs hike basics
Know the essential hike details of the Black Mountain / Eagle Bluffs hike, BC, and access an Eagle Bluffs hike map too.
- Eagle Bluffs Hike Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (some steep sections)
- Eagle Bluffs hike length: 8 km
- Elevation: 400 m
- Time: 2.5-4 hours
- Time from Eagle Bluffs – Vancouver: 30 minutes
- If starting from Horseshoe Bay, this is a great Vancouver hike on transit.
- Eagle Bluffs AllTrails map
- The best season for the Cypress Mountain Eagle Bluffs trail is spring-fall. This is one of my favorite hikes in fall in Vancouver.
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.
Eagle Bluffs and Black Mountain hike
The Eagle Bluffs trail, or Eagle Ridge hike, most commonly adds a slight detour to Black Mountain.
There’s also an option of making it into a loop trail by taking a trail past Thetgil and Sam Lakes.
Whilst it can be hiked from two starting points, the most popular is from Cypress Mountain Vancouver BC, not only for ease but also for the scenery which includes Cabin Lake and Black Mountain.
The other starting point is from Horseshoe Bay by taking the Baden Powell Trail
This is a much harder route and involves traversing across a boulder field where SAR (Search and Rescue) are often called out due to sprained ankles!
It’s for that reason that I recommend starting from Cypress Ski Area.
If you’re looking for Vancouver trails, Eagle Bluffs is a great day hike. Though this is doable as a great option for winter hikes in Vancouver, personally I think the eagle bluffs hike winter trail is a bit tricky, especially to start with as it can be very icy. I’d recommend other winter hikes over this one.
My Recap of the Eagle Bluffs hike
From the parking lot at Cypress downhill ski area, walk past the restaurants on your left and towards the large wooden board with a Cypress mountain trail map.
This is pretty much a straight line from the car park.
Head to the Eagle Express Quad Chair which goes up the mountain to your left.
Once you’ve reached the chairlift, look for a trail that leads into the trees on the left-hand side.
After a few minutes, take a left at the junction and then a quick right following a trail sign for Black Mountain.
Here the trail climbs quickly and steeply with a series of switchbacks.
This is the hardest part of the hike and after you’ve climbed this there isn’t much more climbing to do.
You’ll come close to the edge of a ski run and pass a small lake on your left.
At this junction, take a right and follow the trail markers towards Cabin Lake.
Just before you reach Cabin Lake there’s a short 250-metre path that takes you up to the Yew Lake viewpoint.
From here you’ll get great views of the surrounding peaks such as Brunswick Mountain and the Lions.
From the main Eagle Bluff trail at Cabin Lake, continue to the end of the boardwalk and hike the trail for a further 10 minutes to reach Black Mountain.
The view is worth the slight detour. You can end your trip here since you’ve completed the Black Mountain hike Vancouver. But, I’d recommend continuing.
Follow the trail as it descends into the forest and you meet a junction.
Take a right here to go to Eagle Bluffs and pass by several small lakes.
After around 20 minutes or so, you’ll descend more steeply through a rocky, forested section. Just as you think you’ve gone the wrong way, a clearing emerges and you get a great view!
You have the choice to return the same way or take a slightly different loop to make it an Eagle Bluffs/Black Mountain loop hike.
If you want a different route follow the same trail but take the trail on the right when you arrive at the junction with a sign to the Cypress downhill area.
You’ll pass in between the small Theagill Lake and Sam Lake and see the top of the chairlift.
From the chairlift veer right and walk down the ski slope to return to the parking area.
What to pack for the Eagleridge Bluffs hike
Below is a guide that you can use for all hikes around Vancouver including this North Shore – Eagle Bluffs hike.
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.
How to get to the Eagle Bluffs trail
Eagle Bluffs, or Eagleridge Bluffs, can be hiked from two starting points.
The most common, and easiest (both in terms of parking and hiking), is to go from the Cypress Mountain downhill skiing area. When it comes to how to get to Cypress Moutain, from downtown, cross over Lions Gate Bridge and head towards Whistler, coming off the highway at signs for Cypress Ski Area.
The second is to go to Eagle Bluffs from Horseshoe Bay either with or without going via Whyte Lake. This route is much more strenuous.
Eagle Bluffs parking can be found either in Horseshoe Bay, or by the trailhead for the Baden Powell Trail just off the highway (see this guide to West Knob for directions), or you can find parking at the Cypress Mountain ski area.
Know before you go
- Always practice leave-no-trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
- 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.
Overview of this Eagles Bluff Hike Guide
Eagle Ridge Bluffs is one of the best Vancouver hikes that you can do just 30 minutes away from downtown Vancouver.
From the Eagle Bluffs via Black Mountain Trail you’ll get some incredible views out onto the ocean and even as far as Vancouver Island sometimes.
After exploring the beautiful Eagle Bluffs hike, if you’re keen to discover more scenic trails nearby, consider these options.
The St Mark’s Summit hike offers an amazing view, especially at sunset, and is similar in difficulty to the Eagle Bluff hike. Mt Strachan is another great option for Cypress Mountain hiking, while Hollyburn Peak promises a great view too, even out towards the Lions!
And don’t forget Bowen Lookout, one of my favorite short and easy local hikes.
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.
