13 awesome fall hikes around Vancouver to do before the end of November
Well, winter is most definitely coming and soon we’ll all be up in the mountains on snowboards, skis, or snowshoes. But there’s still time to get some hikes in.
So we’ve put together this handy list of gorgeous hikes around Vancouver that you’re recommended to do before the end of November.
Make sure you read up on the dangers of hiking and what to pack before you head out, and have fun out there. Also read our guide to winter hiking in Vancouver.
See also
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.
Easier
Alice Lake–Squamish
A photo posted by Gie||Vancouverite||dreamer (@babydreamz) on
What: Alice Lake is surrounded by towering mountains, dense forests and grassy areas – a very popular swimming spot in warm weather. The easy Four Lakes Trail offers a scenic hike past lakes, creeks, and groves of trees, and takes in Edith Lake and Fawn Lake too.
How long: 2 hours or 6 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at Alice Lake parking lot, off Alice Lake Road, north of Squamish
Get there: About one hour and 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Vancouver
Recommended: From April to November.
Cheakamus Lake
What: This easy hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park takes you to the shores of a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by mountains and forests. Be prepared for snow on the trail, even if it is flip-flop weather in Vancouver. We speak from experience!
How long: 5 hours or 16 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at Cheakamus Lake signposted parking lot, down a dirt road, just south of Whistler off the Sea To Sky Highway.
Get there: Two hours 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From May to November
Whistler Train Wreck
What: This easy hike takes you through the forest and over a suspension bridge to a set of mangled box cars, abandoned in the forest after a train wreck in 1956, and now covered in colourful murals.
How long: 1 hour or 2 km
Where: Trail begins and ends across from a parking area on a small road off Jane Lakes Road, Function Junction, Whistler
Get there: A 1-hour 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From May to November
Cascade Falls–Mission
What: This easy uphill walk ends at a suspension bridge which crosses in front of scenic Cascade Falls to a wooden viewing platform, where you can feel the mist of the falls as the water cascades past you.
How long: Half an hour or 0.75 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at the Cascade Falls Regional Park parking lot, off Ridgeview Road, northeast of Mission near Deroche
Get there: A one hour 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From April to November
Harder
Brothers Creek Loop
What: This intermediate hike, open to the public but on private property, offers glimpses of waterfalls and takes you past the Candelabra Fir, a huge tree that towers over the surrounding forest.
How long: 4 hours or 7 km
Where: Starts and ends on Millstream Road near Henlow Road in the British Properties area.
Get there: A 30-minute drive from downtown, or take buses 250 then 254 instead.
Recommended: From April to November
Sendero Diez Vistas–Port Moody
What: This intermediate hike around Buntzen Lake in Port Moody offers you 10 beautiful views, taking in everything from the surrounding lakes and mountains to Deep Cove, downtown Vancouver and Indian Arm. And if you don’t feel like hiking, you can always take a refreshing dip in the lakeside beaches instead.
How long: Up to 7 hours or 15 km
Where: Starts and ends at the Buntzen Lake parking lot in Port Moody.
Get there: A one-hour drive from downtown, or take the SkyTrain to Port Moody, then bus 182.
Recommended: From April to November
UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
What: This intermediate hike will take you through a forest area maintained by the UBC Faculty of Forestry near Maple Ridge. Expect lush rainforest, thick moss, small streams, and some uphill walks in the woods. Look out for salamanders too!
How long: 3 hour or 8 km
Where: Trail starts and ends at the forest parking lot and gate on Silver Valley Road, near Maple Ridge.
Get there: A one-hour 10-minute drive from downtown Vancouver
Recommended: From February to November
Harrison Grind–Harrison Lake
What: This difficult hike may be named after the Grouse Grind, but it’s not for the inexperienced. At the top you’ll be rewarded with views of Harrison Lake, but on the way, you’ll face a steep hike on a rugged route with sections that are overgrown and some sections that have even become a creek.
How long: 6 hours or 7 km
Where: Trail starts and ends on Hot Spring Road at Balsam Avenue in Harrison Lake
Get there: A one-hour 45-minute drive from downtown Vancouver
Recommended: From March to November
Sumas Mountain–Abbotsford
What: The difficult hike up Sumas Mountain takes you through lush forest, over a river running through a ravine, and up, up, up on an often overgrown, sometimes narrow trail. Along the way, take in the beautiful Chadsey Lake and Fraser Valley vistas, before hitting the top for views of Mount Baker on a clear day.
How long: 6.5 hours or 13.5 km
Where: The trailhead is marked with orange markers about 9 km down Sumas Mountain Road after the turnoff from North Parallel Road, in Abbotsford.
Get there: A one hour 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From May to November
Tunnel Bluffs–Lions Bay
What: This intermediate hike climbs steeply initially, with ropes available to help you with the steepest sections, before flattening out to take you through the forest to a spectacular view of the Howe Sound. Be careful crossing the highway at the start of the hike, and watch out for worn out ropes.
How long: 4.5 hours or 8 km
Where: Starts and ends on the east side of the Sea To Sky Highway, opposite a parking lot on the west side, just north of Lions Bay. Note that to get to the parking lot, you will have to drive a couple of kms further along the highway to do a U-turn.
Get there: A 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From May to November
Sea to Summit Trail–Squamish
What: This intermediate hike was formerly known as the Upper Shannon Falls Trail and offers a steep hike, good workout, and sweeping views of Howe Sound, the Chief, and Shannon Falls. Note that there you will need to scramble uphill and use ropes to get over smooth rocks. At one point, you will also have to pull yourself over a challenging, large rock.
How long: 3.5 hours or 7.5 km
Where: Starts at the bottom of the Sea To Sky Gondola and finishes at the lodge at the top, north of Britannia off the Sea-To-Sky Highway. Take the gondola back down when you’re done.
Get there: A one-hour drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From March to November
Stawamus Chief–Squamish
View over the Howe Sound from the Stawamus Chief in Squamish (Rowan Sims Photography/Shutterstock)
What: Tough it to the top of the second biggest granite monolith in the world and spectacular ocean and mountain views await you. Wear proper hiking boots though – this intermediate hike involves chains, ropes and a lot of boulders. (If you want to enjoy the view, but not the hike, take the Sea To Sky Gondola instead.)
How long: 6 hours or 11 km
Where: Starts and ends at the Shannon Falls parking lot, off the Sea To Sky Highway before you get to Squamish.
Get there: A one-hour drive from downtown.
Recommended: From March to November
Crooked Falls
What: You can reach the remote Crooked Falls on the Sigurd Creek Trail, a difficult, uphill hike north of Squamish that will reward you with spectacular views. Note – this is a wilderness area so be prepared. There are several very steep and slippery sections. Hiking boots and poles are recommended.
How long: 4 hours or 6 km
Where: 36 km north of Squamish; the Sigurd Creek trailhead is on the left side of the road 2.4 km after turning left onto Ashlu Road from Squamish Valley Road.
Get there: One hour and 30 minutes drive from downtown Vancouver.
Recommended: From April to November
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.
See also
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