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Hiking Quarry Rock in Deep Cove

Is Quarry rock hike open?: THE QUARRY ROCK TRAIL IS OPEN (March 2023)

One of the best things about living in Vancouver is that there are SO many hikes nearby. You don’t even have to travel far to get there. Over the 6 years we spent living in Vancouver, hiking became our favourite activity and it pretty much started with a hike to Quarry Rock in Deep Cove.

Over the years, we went back to Deep Cove several times for kayaking and paddleboarding, to see the bioluminescence in Deep Cove, I ran the Baden Powell Trail and we of course got doughnuts from Honey’s Donuts in Deep Cove.

And to think, it all started with the Quarry Rock hike, or as it’s also known, the Deep Cove hike.

Check out this post for other things to do in Deep Cove, BC!

Introduction to hiking Quarry Rock

The hike to Quarry Rock is one of the more popular hikes in North Vancouver. It’s short enough to be accessible to less experienced hikers but has enough variation in the trail (big tree roots, bridges) to make it interesting for a short hike for more experienced hikers.

In under an hour you could be atop Quarry Rock and getting one of the best views in Lower Mainland BC.

Quarry Rock is also an all-season hike so you can tackle it on any day you like. Just try to go on a clear day so you get the best view! An all-season hike, you can tackle Quarry Rock on almost any day of the year.

The hike to Quarry Rock does get very busy so be prepared to have to wait for your photo at the top!

Hiking Quarry Rock trail guide

When hiking to Quarry Rock you’ll find yourself hiking along the first 2km of the renowned Baden-Powell trail. The trail stretched nearly 50km across North Vancouver and you can take the Baden Powell Trail all the way to Horseshoe Bay.

Begin at the Panorama Park car park and head north. Keep an eye out for a Baden-Powell Trail sign in someone’s driveway and head up the marked staircase.

There are only about 100 metres of elevation gain on the hike to Quarry Rock but most of it comes in the first kilometre. That means your heart will be pumping from the get-go.

The trail is covered in roots (watch your step!) and then merges into a narrow, single-track trail as you go up and down and cross several ravines.

You’ll soon come to a large bridge marked Cove Creek. Then, a few minutes later there’s a junction. At this junction there’s a massive old-growth Douglas Fir tree; estimated to be over 600 years old. At this point, keep going straight.

There are lots of wooden stairs along the trail which makes the path underfoot slightly easier to navigate. If you’re not sure where to go (although there are usually plenty of people around) then look for the orange emergency markers in the trees every so often. These numbers go from 1-12.

The next big marker is a large bridge which takes you over Francis Creek. Now it’s just a short uphill climb to Quarry Rock.

Stick to the right at the following junction and you’ll come out at Quarry Rock itself with amazing views of Burnaby Mountain, Deep Cove and the Eagle Ridge and Belcarra mountains.

For a different viewpoint, walk further along the Baden-Powell to underneath a power pylon. The view isn’t as good overall but it is great for catching the morning sunrise over the mountains!

Quarry Rock hike stats

  • Rating: Easy
  • Distance: 3.8km
  • Elevation Gain: about 100m
  • Time Needed: 1-2 hours
  • Driving Time from Vancouver: 30 minutes
  • Dog friendly: Yes
  • Accessible on public transit

Map for hiking Quarry Rock

Click below to view an interactive map of hiking Quarry Rock. You should also consider downloading AllTrails to stay on track while you’re out on a hike.

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.

quarry rock trail map
Click to view interactive map

What to pack for the Quarry Rock hike in Deep Cove

What to pack before hiking the Quarry Rock trail 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.

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 and there’s a chance it’ll be icy or slightly snowy you’ll need microspikes

You should always 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!). Waterproof trousers are always a good idea for hiking in Vancouver.

You should pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!

Want more Vancouver hiking posts?

Last Updated on March 18, 2023 by Hannah

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