Hiking the Lions Bay Loop trail Vancouver BC
The Lions Bay loop trail might just be the perfect hike for you if you’re looking for an easy Vancouver hike with great views,
We first did this loop trail a few years ago when we couldn’t travel far from home. This was a new trail to me at the time and it was much better and prettier than I’d thought.
Most hikers come to Lions Bay to do a hike like Tunnel Bluffs or Mount Brunswick and the Lions. However, if you’re looking for something easier, the Lions Bay Loop is a great option.
This easy, family-friendly hike near Vancouver has minimal elevation, a waterfall view, and views of Howe Sound too.
Due to its low elevation, this is a great all-year-round hike too, and can be enjoyed as a Vancouver winter hike, or a spring hike in Vancouver since you won’t need to wait for snowmelt.
There are plenty of picnic benches and places to stop and enjoy the sights as you walk through the woods, so take some snacks for the trip!
Table of Contents
The Lions Bay Loop trail
Lions Bay hiking trails are numerous but the easiest and most family accessible is the Lions Bay Loop trail.
This easy hike with beautiful views and a waterfall makes a great sunset Vancouver hike and is ideal for family hikes near Vancouver.
Lions Bay Loop trail basics
Know the essential hike details for hiking the Lions Bay Loop:
- Lions Bay loop hike difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 4.5 km
- Elevation: 175 m
- Duration: 2 hours
- Lions Bay trail map AllTrails
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.
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.
The Lions Bay Loop trail hike
The trailhead for the Lions Bay loop hike is just opposite the Lions Bay General Store and Cafe. It’s a small narrow path on the right on a big wall that separates the trail and the Sea to Sky highway. Make sure you’ve checked all parking signs so as not to get towed or fined!
The trail here is called the Centennial Trail and it goes alongside the wall and crosses Alberta Creek before widening.
The trail then enters a forest with a slight climb hiking up from, but parallel to, the highway. There is some traffic noise here but it’s usually not too bad.
Enjoy the sounds and smells of the forest and take the left junctions to enjoy some seating areas with a view of Howe Sound. At one of the latter junctions, Arbutus Point, there’s a picnic table and a sign identifying the different islands and mountain ranges that you can see from the spot.
From the main trail, you’ll reach a junction with the Harrison Trail. For now, make a left turn to go down the wooden staircase and a few switchbacks before coming out of the forest at a road. From this point, the views only get better!
Cross over the road and into the gravel area, bear right and you’ll see the trail continue in the open above the highway. Walk all the way along this gravel path until you reach the road at the end: Crystal Falls Road.
I loved the views of the water from here, and there were some flowers in bloom too when we hiked this trail in Lions Bay.
At this road, turn right and walk uphill until you reach a point where the road splits (like a ‘Y’ junction). The left fork goes across a bridge with some views of Crystal Fall. Look for a trail towards the right-hand fork with a small sign pointing to the Crystal Falls trail.
This trail takes you uphill closer to the falls. The best viewpoint is on the left, just before you reach the water tower, where there’s a small bench to enjoy the falls from. You might have to backtrack a little bit to find the correct path if you go past it like we did!
Rejoin the main trail and continue uphill as it bends to the right. You’ll soon come out at a gravel clearing next to a road.
From here there are even more views of Hower Sound (the perfect sunset-watching spot!) Continue hiking on the left, up the old gravel logging road also known as the Soundview Trail.
This trail goes uphill even further and reenters the woods. You’ll want to keep a lookout for junctions on the right-hand side and take the Harrison Trail.
This takes you downhill and rejoins with the Centennial Trail that you started on.
Go left when you reach this and walk back through the forest, back towards the General Store and cafe.
This Lions Bay map of hiking trails is useful to get an overview of the above.
How to get to the Lions Bay Loop trailhead
The Lions Bay Loop trail begins opposite the Lions Bay General Store. Please note you cannot park at the general store’s parking lot.
There is some limited parking along the road, or you can park further up the hill.
PLEASE pay attention to signs regarding parking, Lions Bay parking fines can be HUGE!
Getting to Lions Bay from Vancouver is easy, simply follow the Sea to Sky highway north towards Squamish and Whistler and come off at the Lions Bay Avenue Exit.
Alternatively, you can take public transit from downtown Vancouver on the #250 or #257.
My top tips for this Lions Bay Trail
- Parking in Lions Bay is tricky and fines can be HUGE. See where to park in Lions Bay here.
- 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!
- Refresh your memory about hiking safety with BC Adventure Smart.
What to pack for the Lions Bay Loop trail
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.
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.
More Lions Bay hikes I recommend
There are lots of other Lions Bay hikes with amazing views all of which are accessible on public transit. Though most Lions Bay trails aren’t as easy as this loop trail, they do offer amazing views.
The next easiest trail from Lions Bay is Tunnel Bluffs. This is without a doubt one of the most popular Lions Bay hikes and it’s relatively easy with not too much elevation once you’ve climbed the logging road from the Sunset parking lot. On this hike, you get an awesome view from one of the best Lions Bay lookout spots.
Other great Lions Bay trials include the Lions Binkert Trail, Mount Harvey, and Mount Brunswick all of which are much harder and will require a full-day hiking in most instances.
If you’ve enjoyed this hiking guide, be sure to check out all my hiking guides from around the world!
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.
