Guide to the Norvan Falls Hike North Vancouver
The Norvan Falls trail in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, North Vancouver, is a great hike for a rainy day since you’re in the forest, chasing a waterfall viewpoint!
The Norvan Falls hike is long, though mostly flat, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for an easy-intermediate hike in North Vancouver.
You can also do a Norvan Falls trail run which is great since there’s little elevation. I’ve hiked to Norvan Falls in the midst of winter, run to it in autumn in Vancouver, and done hikes here in spring and summer.
I’ve seen a frozen Norvan Falls, when it’s in full power and when it’s not much more than a dribble but the journey there is always fun!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Norvan Falls hike near Vancouver.
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Norvan Falls Trail, North Vancouver
Stroll through the lush green forest in North Vancouver towards the impressive Norvan Falls on this easy, but long, hike. This Lynn Valley waterfall is one of the most impressive in the area so it’s well worth the hike.
It is the perfect thing to do on a rainy day in Vancouver. In fact, my husband and I did this hike once on a super rainy day when I was training for the Squamish50 trail race and though we got soaked, we both had such a fun time on these trails!
Another bonus to this hike is that it’s easily accessible and you can get there on public transit with plenty of free parking at the trailhead (as long as it’s not a peak summer weekend).
Norvan Falls hike basics
Know the essential hike details for hiking the Norvan Falls Vancouver hike in BC.
- Difficulty: Moderate (mostly flat, just long)
- Norvan Falls hike length: 14 km
- Elevation: 195 m
- Norvan Falls hike time: 5 hours
- Best season to hike Novan Falls: All year-round though you’ll need different gear in winter. This is a great Vancouver fall hike as well as a good option for Vancouver hikes in winter.
- Trail map for Norvan Falls – links to the Norvan Falls AllTrails map
- This hike is one of the top hikes accessible by public transit
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 Norvan Falls hike
From the parking lot walk across the Lynn Creek Bridge to a large map directly ahead of you.
Here you can sign in on the registration board which I highly recommend doing if you haven’t told anyone your plans (you should!) and especially if you’re hiking solo. This lets park rangers know who is in the park and is checked so a search can be launched if you fail to return.
Sign in down, turn left and begin walking along the creek through a forest of second-growth Cedar.
The first 1.7 km of the trail is along a wide gravel road and is part of the lower Lynn Loop Trail which many people hike from the Rice Lake parking lot.
Also known as the Cedars Mill trail, this section is usually quite busy as it’s a popular spot for North Vancouverites to walk their dogs.
Around 4km into the hike, you’ll come out to a clearing.
Here, make a left towards the river and enjoy the views of both the river and Goat Mountain (accessed from Grouse or the Hanes Valley).
Then, head up the rocky debris towards a sign and turn left to continue hiking along the Headwaters Trail.
The next 2.5km is often quite muddy and slippery so take care as you hike through the forest full of moss and lichens.
You’ll start hearing the sound of water again as you get closer to Norvan Creek where a steel suspension bridge has been built.
At this point, you turn away from the bridge, to the right, and walk along a trail following the creek uphill.
A few hundred meters on, you’ll be able to see Norvan Falls through the trees. You can enjoy it from here or backtrack and find your own spot to enjoy the view from.
Hike back the way you came and don’t forget to sign the other half of your registration sheet to sign out!
Is Norvan Falls Frozen?
If there’s been around a week of cold temperatures (just below zero) chances Norvan Falls is frozen (at least in parts).
If the temperatures have been well below average for a few days and there’s snow in downtown Vancouver, I’d be surprised if the falls haven’t begun to ice up!
How to get to Norvan Falls Trailhead
Norvan Falls directions: The trailhead for Norvan Falls is in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. From Vancouver, head over Lions Gate or Iron Workers’ Bridge and take Highway #1 to the Lynn Canyon Exit.
Drive along Lynn Valley Road northbound, pass the shopping center, and pass the turnoff to Lynn Canyon Park.
Continue straight as the road narrows and drive as far as you can until you come to a parking lot and can go no further.
You can park there for free or, if there are no remaining spaces, backtrack to the overflow parking lot to find one and walk back towards the main one you just left.
You can also get public transport to this hike by taking the sea bus to North Vancouver and then the #228 bus to Lynn Valley. Leave the bus at the Dempsey/Lynn Valley Road stop. After getting off the bus, walk down the paved road into the forest towards the parking area for the trailhead.
The parking lots here fill up quickly on nice weekends so plan to do the Norvan Falls hiking trail early on in the day.
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!
- Refresh your memory about hiking safety with BC Adventure Smart.
- Dogs are allowed at Norvan Falls on leash.
- Norvan Falls Parking lot: There’s lots of parking near Rice Lake and then you can walk some of the Lynn Loop Trail
- Norvan Falls weather: Always check weather conditions and pack and dress appropriately
What to pack for Norvan Falls?
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.
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.
