Hiking in Vancouver Canada | 14 best hikes near Vancouver

Over 6 years of living in Vancouver, I’ve truly hiked on most of the hiking trails surrounding the city. There are so many trails to choose from and I’ve done the vast majority of them since I love discovering the best hiking in Vancouver.

Whether you’re traveling to Vancouver or you live there, there’s an almost overwhelming amount of options when it comes to hiking around the city.

Over the past few years, I’ve been able to complete quite a few of the best hikes near Vancouver and I’ve put together my top Vancouver area hikes.

If you’re looking for more of the best hikes in Vancouver, I’ve got a longer guide that focuses primarily on those in the city and North Shore.

This guide includes some of the best hikes near Vancouver that are a little further afield, like those in Garibaldi Provincial Park where you’ll find some of the best Squamish and Whistler hikes.

With so many places to hike in Vancouver narrowing the list wasn’t an easy choice but I think this is a pretty solid list of easy and intermediate trails for hiking in Vancouver.

If you’re looking for even more hikes in Vancouver and around, then check out this list of the best hikes around Vancouver for more Vancouver hiking adventures.

And, if you’re searching for fall hikes in Vancouver I’ve compiled a list of the best ones for rainy days, early-season snow, and still some great views!

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.

Best hiking in Vancouver map

Below you’ll find a map of my favorite hikes in Vancouver as someone who spent 6 years living in the city and spending time in the mountains pretty much every weekend.

If you want more Vancouver hiking guides (cause I have so many more than what’s included below), be sure to check out all my hiking trail reports of over 100 Vancouver hiking trails and hikes around British Columbia.

Just click the image below (or here) to open this map up in Google where you’ll find more information about each hike.

The best hikes near Vancouver BC

It’s extremely hard to narrow down all the great hiking trails near Vancouver!

These are the trails in Vancouver (& nearby) that I’ve either done multiple times or have great memories of the incredible views. 

I’ve included hikes in the North Shore Mountains which are just across the water from downtown Vancouver, as well as a few that are a little bit further afield like Panorama Ridge.

Since I’ve hiked all these trails near Vancouver, you’ll also find links to more detailed posts about each hike.

Happy hiking!

NEW 2023 UPDATE!
You will need a day pass to access popular BC parks, Garibaldi (from June 14 – Oct 9), Joffre (May 6 – Oct 9) and Golden Ears (June 14 – Sept 4). The passes are free and available from 7 am two days before your visit. All details & information here. 

1. Panorama Ridge, Garibaldi Provincial Park

Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park is without a doubt my favourite hike near Vancouver and is often considered the best hike in Vancouver and nearby.

It’s a long hike (around 30 km) that can be done in a day as I did but is commonly done as an overnight hike near Vancouver.

This hike has everything, from forest trails to open meadows then up into the alpine for a few steeper sections until you come out at a view of Garibaldi Lake and it’s a beautiful color. 

2. Joffre Lakes, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Another classic Vancouver hike is Joffre Lakes. Joffre Lakes is one of the coolest hikes in the Vancouver area. 

We did the Joffre Lake hike in early winter and it was beautiful with a little snow on the ground I’d love to go back in summer! 

3. St Mark’s Summit, Cypress Provincial Park

The St Mark’s Summit hike is a hike I’ve done multiple times and enjoyed every time. 

There are a lot of hikes in North Vancouver and St Mark’s is one of the most popular and offers some of the best views in Vancouver too. 

The Saint Mark’s trailhead is super close to downtown Vancouver (just 30 minutes away), which means it’s a great after-work hike when you just want some great views without traveling far.

Though a popular hike, don’t underestimate it.

The trail is mostly well-kept, but the last section is more technical with roots and rocks; make sure you’re wearing the right hiking boots or shoes to keep your ankles safe. 

This peak is one of the most popular places for Instagram photos in Vancouver and it forms part of the Howe Sound Crest Trail.

That’s a long trail of about that’s usually done over 1 or 2 nights and runs from near Porteau Cove along the Sea to Sky Highway to the Cypress Ski Area.

4.5. Bowen Lookout, Cypress Provincial Park

This is a .5 as it’s actually on the way to St Mark’s. Some people might skip the short detour to Bowen Lookout but make sure you don’t! 

Bowen Lookout is probably the trail I’ve hiked the most. For a short trail, you get brilliant views.

There’s one steep section but for the most part, this is one of the best easy hikes Vancouver has to offer.

5. Mt Harvey

It was a hard pic between Mt Brunswick and Mount Harvey but this is one of my favorite North Vancouver trails!

I solo hiked Mount Harvey a couple of years ago and was blown away by the beauty of the last part of the trail and the Howe Sound views. 

Mt Harvey is a tricky hike. It’s steep through the forest for much of the hike and then there’s a bit of a scramble towards the end as you reach the summit. 

I recommend starting early as parking around the trailhead (in Lions Bay is tricky).

6. The Lions

Another of the ultimate North Vancouver hikes is The Lions.

The Lions hike in Vancouver starts along the same trail as Mt Harvey (and actually as Mt Brunswick below), but it is much longer in terms of distance.

The Lions are the two mountains in Vancouver that you can see from various points in the city and on other hikes around Vancouver and they’ve given their name to many Vancouver businesses and locations. 

This Vancouver day hike involves a bit of a scramble and this Vancouver trail is best reserved for intermediate hikers because of that and its length.

Most people don’t climb up the west lion, and I wouldn’t recommend it, the “shoulder”, or base of the lion, still offers great views of the Howe Sound and mountains to the north.

We were even able to see Black Tusk in Whistler! 

7. The Stawamus Chief Squamish

The Chief hike in Squamish is a classic and though in some ways I prefer the Sea to Summit trail which is usually quieter, you can’t beat hiking a local classic (plus the ropes are fun!).

The hike takes you up to the top of The Chief, a giant granite rock that watches over the town of Squamish.

As one of the best hikes in Squamish, it’s an extremely popular hike so it’s best to try and complete it on a weekday when it’s usually a bit quieter.

8. Lighthouse Park

Compared to the others on the list, this is more of a walk than a hike but it’s pretty nonetheless.

If you’re looking for easy Vancouver trails with a great view then Lighthouse Park is the place. 

Lighthouse Park is one of the most well-known West Vancouver hikes and is a beautiful spot for a picnic or a walk to get some fresh air.

As the name suggests, there’s a lighthouse and there are plenty of rocky outcrops nearby to sit on and take in the views. 

If you’re a climber, there are some awesome climbing routes in Lighthouse Park too that I’ve enjoyed previously.

9. Norvan Falls

The trail to Norvan Falls is 16 km, but there’s little elevation gain which makes it a great easy hike near Vancouver. 

My hike to Norvan Falls was in winter and I got to see Norvan Falls frozen which was awesome and added a whole new dimension to what I usually see on hiking trails in Vancouver.

I’ve since been back multiple times on trail runs in the North Shore to Norvan Falls, visiting these beautiful falls in summer and spring and a (very) rainy autumn!

There are multiple places to start this North Shore hike from with one of the most popular being from Rice Lake since there’s a larger parking lot here.

However, you can also start from the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and the End of the Line General Store.

These are popular starting points for trail runners going on runs in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park which has beautiful swimming spots, rivers, bridges and forests.

10. Mt Seymour, Seymour Provincial Park 

The Mount Seymour hike takes you along three peaks in Mount Seymour Provincial Park.

Again, this is a Vancouver hike that I’ve done multiple times and pretty much in all seasons.

It’s one of the best viewpoints in Vancouver and the hike is challenging, but not so difficult you’ll be put off it. 

There are three peaks on the Mt Seymour trail. There’s First Pump, Second Peak – known as Tim Jones Peak after a valuable member of the North Vancouver Search and Rescue team, and Third Peak. 

First Pump is the one most people do, and can be hiked all year.

I wouldn’t recommend going further in winter as it’s easy to lose your way and end up in dangerous avalanche terrain. But First Pump is a good choice for winter hikes in Vancouver.

You can also just go to Brockton Point (where the above photo was taken). This is where we got engaged after ski-touring up here one spring so it’s definitely got a special place in my heart!

This is one of the best Vancouver hikes for sure! 

Top tip: If you don’t fancy a hike quite as strenuous as this you can just go to Pump Peak / First Peak, or do the Dog Mountain hike instead which also starts from the same parking lot at Mount Seymour Ski Area.

11. The Grouse Grind

Okay so this one isn’t a hike that you’ll get great views on but I still think it’s deserving of being on this list of Vancouver’s best hiking trails.

Hear me out.

The Grouse Grind hike is something of a Vancouver right of passage and it’s a great option for hikes near downtown Vancouver since you can get here on public transit very easily.

You simply can’t live in Vancouver, be into the outdoors, and not have done the Grouse Grind.

The Grouse Grind is called Nature’s Staircase and takes you about 800 m up in elevation in under 3 km.

That’s to say it’s steep. Very steep.

You’ll make your way up all the stairs made out of wood and logs and some rocks through the forest with only a few places where you’ll get a bit of a few until you reach the top of the Grouse Mountain Gondola.

Once up the top, there are cafes and restaurants, a disc golf course, two resident grizzly bears, and a bird of prey and lumberjack show. It’s also a starting point for more hikes like the Crown Mountain trail and Dam Mountain.

12. Quarry Rock

One of the most popular hikes on the North Shore is Quarry Rock in Deep Cove.

This is often deemed to be an easy hike Vancouver has to offer visitors but take that with a pinch of salt.

While for most it is quite easy as it’s not particularly long or steep, the trail is not smooth and there are a lot of slippery sections or things to look out for (roots and rocks).

It’s pretty much your typical North Shore hike in that regard and you should definitely wear appropriate hiking footwear like hiking boots or trail running shoes.

At the end of this hike, you’ll reach a rocky area that juts out from the forest and gives you a lovely view of the water that creates the Indian Arm as well as the town of Deep Cove. It’s one of the best easy Vancouver hikes with a view

For a fun day out in Deep Cove combine this with a Vancouver kayaking trip!

13. Diez Vistas

The Diez Vistas hike is east of the city of Vancouver and near Belcarra Regional Park.

It’s also where you’ll find two of the best lakes near Vancouver: Buntzen Lake and Sasamat Lake.

This 10 km round trip hike is a loop trail where you’ll head up onto a ridge alongside Buntzen Lake and get some beautiful viewpoints out over the Indian Arm and the North Shore Mountains.

Though the trail’s name translates as ’10 views’, I really think there are only 3-4, but it’s still a great trail and can be hiked year-round.

It’s one of my favorite hikes in Vancouver in Spring since it’s often snow-free quite early on in the year.

What to know before you go hiking in Vancouver

Before we get started, it’s important to address hiking safely in Vancouver. Despite the fact that Vancouver is one of Canada’s biggest cities, you’re also right on the wilderness’ doorstep and therefore must take precautions before hiking near Vancouver. 

These hikes near Vancouver aren’t to be taken lightly. You often won’t have a phone signal, you may encounter bears, and it can be easy to get caught off the trail.

Since these are some of the best hikes in Vancouver, they won’t be quiet. However, you still need to take every precaution as accidents happen even on the most gentle of trails. 

If you’re planning on hiking in Vancouver, then make sure you do the following: 

• Always practice leave-no-trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
• Refresh your memory about hiking save with BC Adventure Smart.
• Leave a trip plan with a friend: let them know where you’re going, when, and when they should expect to her from you. That way if you get lost or stuck someone knows where and when to begin searching.  
• Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life! This is true whether you’re doing easy hikes near Vancouver or harder ones.
• Search and Rescue is free in BC. Call 911 and ask to be put through to them if you’re in trouble. 
• Hiking in Vancouver, BC means hiking in bear territory. Carry bear spray with you, particularly on higher elevations on North Vancouver hikes & West Vancouver.

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 on the best hikes Vancouver has to offer

Final thoughts on the best hikes in Vancouver area

So there you have it, my pick of the best hikes close to Vancouver British Columbia. I’ve tried to include a mix of both easy hiking Vancouver has to offer as well as harder routes like Mount Harvey and Panorama Ridge.

Of course, this list could be much, much longer but you can check out my Vancouver travel guides and hiking guides for more information on other hikes I’ve done and would recommend.

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Hannah