29 hikes to do in your neighbourhood in Metro Vancouver
We all love to hike, but even though we’re lucky enough to have the great outdoors on our doorstep here in Vancouver, it’s not always the most convenient endeavour. Fortunately, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are full of gorgeous spots to get your hike on without much travel time.
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To help you hit the trails, here are 29 hikes to do in your neighbourhood.
For your own safety, please make sure you are prepared before heading out on your next adventure. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from North Shore Rescue and AdventureSmart.
North Shore
Kyle Pearce / Flickr
Quarry Rock
What: A classic North Shore hike, up wooden stairs, over tree roots and small creeks, among Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees, to a rocky outcrop and beautiful views of Deep Cove.
How long: 1.5 hours or 3.8 km
Where: Starts and ends at the Baden Powell Trailhead – Panorama Drive, Deep Cove
Lighthouse Park
What: Lots of short, easy trails offering breathtaking ocean views, huge, old-growth Western Red Cedars and the picturesque picnic spot of Starboat Cove.
How long: Up to 2 hours or 6 km
Where: Starts and ends at Lighthouse Park parking lot – Beacon Lane, West Vancouver.
Capilano River Regional Park
What: This trail follows the Capilano River, taking you from pavement, rocky shores and beaches past steep cliffs and through thick rainforest to the imposing Cleveland Dam.
How long: 2 hours or 7.5 km
Where: Starts at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver, finishes at the Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver.
Lynn Loop
What: Enjoy a forest hike among Cedar and Hemlock trees, with views of Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands, then stroll back along the gushing waters of Lynn Creek.
How long: 1.5 hours or 5.1 km
Where: Starts and ends in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver.
Cypress Falls
What: This easy hike takes you along Cypress Creek, through forests of moss-covered, old-growth trees, past views of two gorgeous waterfalls as they pour into the canyon below.
How long: 1.5 hours or 3 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at Cypress Falls Park – Woodgreen Place, West Vancouver.
Hanes Valley Trail
What: A scenic, but extremely difficult North Shore trail.
How long: 8.5 hours or 16 km
Where: Take exit 21 to Mountain Highway in North Vancouver.
Burnaby
Burnaby Mountain / Shutterstock
Burnaby Lake Regional Park
What: Burnaby Lake is the largest lake in Metro Vancouver and boasts a 10 kilometre hiking path that loops around the entire park.
How long: 2 hours or 10 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at Burnaby Lake – Burnaby
Burnaby Mountain
What: With multiple trails to choose from, there’s no shortage of hiking potential on Burnaby Mountain. Each trail has its own difficulty rating, so choose accordingly.
How long: Up to 3 hours or 7 km
Where: Starts from the eastern edge of Pipeline Trail – Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby
Deer Lake
What: A flat, easy walk that circles Deer Lake and passes by a beach, a viewing tour, and a pier. Great scenery to be had all around.
How long: An hour or 5 km
Where: Starts at the east side of the lake along Sperling Avenue – Deer Lake, Burnaby
Velodrome Trail
What: This steep trail is sometimes referred to as Burnaby’s [Grouse] Grind and requires hikers to walk up more than 500 wooden stairs. As a result, it gets an “intermediate” rating.
How long: An hour or 3 km
Where: Starts near Barnet Highway and finishes at the Japanese totem poles near Horizon Restaurant.
Vancouver
Stanley Park / Shutterstock
Foreshore Trail
What: One of the few trails in Vancouver, this one follows the west side of UBC and passes through Wreck Beach. This trail can be challenging during high tide.
How long: 3 hours or 5 km
Where: Pacific Spirit Regional Park – UBC, Vancouver
Stanley Park
What: The quintessential Vancouver hike through a beautiful urban park. Stanley Park is full of many networks of trails for both cycling and hiking.
How long: 2 hours or 6.5 km
Where: Starts near the Rose Garden and loops back around – Stanley Park, Vancouver
Fraser Valley
Image: Sumas Mountain / Shutterstock
Hayward Lake
What: A scenic hike offered north of Mission with trails maintained by BC Hydro.
How long: 5.5 hours or 17 km
Where: Start at Hayward Lake Recreation Area parking lot and loop around – Hayward Lake, Mission
Mount Thom
What: This Chilliwack mountain offers a scenic view of Cultus Lake and the Fraser Valley.
How long: 2.5 hours or 10 km
Where: Starts at Sylvan Drive – Promontory neighbourhood, Chilliwack
Mount Cheam
What: Another Chilliwack favourite, Mount Cheam offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Chilliwack, the Fraser River, Jones Lake, and even Mount Baker.
How long: 4.5 hours or 9.5 km
Where: Access point is located along the highway to Chilliwack Lake – Chilliwack
Elk Mountain
What: Enjoy views of Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, and the surrounding Fraser Valley area.
How long: 4 hours or 7 km
Where: Head up along Elk View Road until it turns into gravel. Find the clearing on the left and park.
Sumas Mountain
What: One of the Fraser Valley’s most familiar mountains, it’s located along the north side of the Trans Canada Highway between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
How long: 6.5 hours or 13.5 km
Where: Continue along Sumas Road until it turns to gravel and look for the coloured trail markers.
Ridge Meadows
Image: Golden Ears Provincial Park / Shutterstock
Kanaka Creek Regional Park
What: An easy walk that’s popular with local residents and dog walkers.
How long: 1 hour or 2.5 km
Where: Turn right on River Road, cross train tracks, and pull into gravel parking lot on the right.
Mike Lake
What: A short, scenic trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park.
How long: 45 minutes or 2 km
Where: About 4.5 km from the gates of Golden Ears Provincial Park – Maple Ridge
Gold Creek Falls
What: Short hike that’s perfect for the beginning of the season or in combination with camping.
How long: 2 hours or 5.5 km
Where: Near Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge.
Golden Ears
What: The hike to go on in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Challenging, but you’re rewarded with spectacular views.
How long: 12 hours or 24 km
Where: Stay on Golden Ears Parkway until it becomes a dirt road, turn left at West Canyon parking lot.
Widgeon Falls
What: This trail allows you to combine a scenic hike with a canoe ride at the end. Canoe rentals are available in somewhat limited supply.
How long: 5 hours or 6 km
Where: Follow Neaves Road for 12 kilometres and keep your eyes peeled for a canoe rental shop.
Surrey and Langley
Image: Metro Vancouver Regional District
Tynehead Regional Park
What: Great for cycling, picnics, and dog walking.
How long: 1.5 hours or 4.5 km
Where: Drive south on 176th Street and turn right on 96th Avenue and travel for about two kilometres.
Aldergrove Regional Park
What: Popular among families for its easy trails and scenic views.
How long: 2 hours or 5 km
Where: Follow 272nd Street south and then turn right on 8th Avenue.
Campbell Valley Regional Park
What: Great for horseback riding and exploring.
How long: 1.5 hours or 4 km
Where: Cross the Port Mann Bridge and take exit 58.
Tri Cities
Image: Metro Vancouver Regional District
Swan Falls Viewpoint
What: Follow the Buntzen Lake trail and leads to a stunning view of a waterfall.
How long: 3.5 hours or 10 km
Where: Drive to the Buntzen Lake recreation area and follow signs for the dogs off-leash area.
Admiralty Point
What: A short hike that offers gorgeous views of Mount Seymour, Deep Cove, and Burnaby Mountain.
How long: 1.5 hours or 5 km
Where: Belcarra Regional Park, Port Moody.
Dilly Dally Loop
What: A very challenging hike around Buntzen Lake.
How long: 12 hours or 25 km
Where: Buntzen Lake, Port moody.
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