Dog Mountain and Suicide Bluffs in North Vancouver

Breathtaking views of Vancouver far below on this easy hiking and snowshoeing trail starting at the beautiful Seymour Resort

Dog Mountain and Suicide Bluffs are a beautiful, short and fun hike or snowshoe trek close to Vancouver and starting from the parking lot of Seymour Mountain.

Just 2.2k gets you from your car to breathtaking views of the big city below.

It's fairly popular, so even in the depths of winter you will find the trail in the snow well packed down and easily followed.  It is also a favourite evening hike to catch the sun setting over Vancouver.

Dog Mountain is a fantastic hiking or snowshoeing trek partly because of the drive to the trailhead.  The trailhead is located at the far end of the main parking lot to Mount Seymour Ski Resort.

The beautifully winding and always scenic drive takes you from the astonishing rainforest that engulfs North Vancouver abruptly into the heights of Mount Seymour, Dog Mountain, and Suicide Bluffs beyond.

You can even grab a beer before or after at the rustic restaurant/cafeteria/pub at the trailhead.

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Eagle Bluffs and Black Mountain Hiking and Snowshoeing Trails

Starting at the Cypress Mountain Resort, this free hiking or snowshoeing trail is spectacular, challenging, and conveniently close to downtown Vancouver

Located just a short and beautiful 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver, the Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs trail begins next to one of the Cypress Mountain Resort chairlifts.  The well marked trail branches away from the chairlift to the left and quickly ascends into the deep and beautiful forest.  Follow the clear signs to Eagle Bluffs.  The route can be done in a circle route, so try to take the other route on the way back for variety.  Black Mountain is a short side trail off this circle route.  Allow yourself 3-4 hours for the 8k return trip.  The elevation gain is 350m in 4k.  Expect to need snowshoes Dec-May.  During these months use caution as snow may obscure the trail markers and combined with bad weather can very easily make you lose the trail.

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Elfin Lakes Hiking and Snowshoeing Trail in Garibaldi Park

An amazing ridge walk with shockingly beautiful views in all directions ending at a beautiful and well equipped mountain hut

Elfin Lakes is a wonderfully accessible mountain paradise at the southern end of the mighty Garibaldi Park in Squamish (just an hours drive north of Vancouver).  An amazing hiking or snowshoeing destination on its own, Elfin Lakes is also part of a gateway to so much more.  The Gargoyles, Little Diamond Head, Opal Cone...

There is a wonderful, extremely well equipped hut and campsites as well as a ranger station at the lakes. Staying at the amazing hut costs $15, cash only.  Which sounds expensive until you see it.  It looks more like a ski lodge than a mountain hut.  Complete with solar powered lights, heat, propane stoves and room for 33 to sleep.  You will find envelopes to pay at the trailhead.  Camping away from the hut costs $10.  Once again that seem expensive, but the area is very beautiful and popular so park rangers are nearly always around to keep things nice and functional.

The 22k hiking or snowshoeing route to the Elfin Lakes Hut and back is well marked and well used.  Unlike most other Garibaldi Park trails, this one can be safely navigated in the dark if needed with a flashlight.  You will often find people on the trail in the dark on the lower section from the Red Heather Hut to the parking lot in Squamish.

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Hollyburn Mountain Hiking and Snowshoeing Trail

Continuously beautiful views of Vancouver and surrounding mountain peaks from this mostly easy and short trail at Cypress Mountain Provincial Park in West Vancouver

Hollyburn Mountain (Hollyburn Peak), in Cypress Provincial Park, is an amazing place to snowshoe/hike.  The Hollyburn trailhead is an astonishingly close, 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  The 30 minute drive is quite something as well.  From the always beautiful crossing of the beautiful Lions Gate Bridge, to the incredible views of Vancouver from the approach drive to Cypress Mountain and the Hollyburn Mountain trailhead.

You would almost expect that there would be various fees for parking, trail use, etc.  But the Hollyburn Mountain snowshoeing and hiking trail is completely free, and also quite convenient.

You will likely be able to park withing a few metres of the trailhead and if you don't happen to own snowshoes, you can rent them at the trailhead for a very reasonable price.

The trail is so well marked that it can easily be done after dark, as many do.  What a perfect escape from the city.  Hollyburn Mountain is a wonderful escape to a towering mountain paradise far above Vancouver below.

The city lights are amazing.  From the lights of the Lions Gate Bridge, to the beautifully bright tankers, to the wondrously glowing Vancouver towers.

This hike has it all.  Great views, easy hike, convenient times to use, and of course free.  Hiking or snowshoeing Hollyburn Mountain is yet another spectacular piece of the whole amazing Vancouver experience.

Hollyburn Mountain is easily done in a half day trip from Vancouver as it is quite close and quite a short hike/snowshoe.  Go early for the amazing sunrise, or late in the day for the unbelievable sunset.

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Lighthouse Park Hiking Trails In West Vancouver

A perfect mix of relaxing, deep forest hiking trails and spectacular ocean scenery

Lighthouse Park is an extraordinarily little known piece of paradise, so close to to Vancouver as to see its tall buildings, yet immersed into a dramatically beautiful coastal rainforest.

A wonderful network of hiking trails winds throughout massive Douglas-fir trees and Western Red Cedars as well as golden Arbutus trees stretching toward the ocean.

There are so many great aspects of this hike.  The first is the beautiful drive to get there.  Marine Drive spectacularly hugs the rugged and steep coast of West Vancouver.

Another is the wonderful variation of trails.  They stretch out in several directions in the thick forest, each leading to breathtaking ocean viewpoints.

Another is the variety of wildlife.  Along with the majestic trees there are the occasional bald eagles, oystercatchers, seagulls, shore crabs, hermit crabs and starfish, among quite a lot else.

Another is the seemingly endless array of picnic tables and even better, rock outcrops at the edge of the Georgia Strait and Pacific Ocean beyond.

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Lynn Peak Hiking in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

A tough climb through the deep rainforest of North Vancouver ending at nice views of the city far below

This beautifully forested hiking trail is a local favourite running route comparable to the Grouse Grind.  In 4.5k the trail rises 730 metres and hardly ever in a straight line.  There are a few good viewpoints on the way.  It is convenient to downtown Vancouver as it is only about a 30 minute drive away in the rainforest of North Van.

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St Mark's Summit Trail

One of the greatest vantage points over Howe Sound and an amazing hiking and snowshoeing trail beginning in Cypress Provincial Park in Vancouver

Breathtaking views of Howe Sound at the end of the amazing hike.  Another beautiful hike close to downtown Vancouver.  Only 30 minutes from downtown, and starting from the beautiful Cypress Provincial Park.  The trailhead actually starts next to one of the ski runs at Cypress Mountain Resort.  This moderately difficult trail gains 460 metres in 5.5k.  Allow 5 hours for the 11k roundtrip. Hike the trail from June to November and snowshoe December to May.  Snowshoeing can be tricky on this trail as the route can be difficult to follow in deep snow so make sure you go with someone who knows what they are doing and/or are prepared with a gps and/or map to go with proper hiking equipment.

There are no trail use fees or parking charges for the St Mark's Summit trail.  Snowshoe rentals are available in the cross country skiing area just before this downhill skiing parking area.

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The West Lion Summit Trail in North Vancouver

Amazing views of Howe Sound from this challenging hike and optional, dangerous summit trail

The Lions or Twin Sisters lie in North Vancouver, about one hour from downtown Vancouver.  The two distinct, rocky peaks are visible from downtown Vancouver and astoundingly are possible to climb.  Though very difficult to climb view from the top is spectacular.  The West Lion (pictured below) is possible to climb.  The East Lion is in Vancouver's watershed area and off limits to public use.

The first half of the hike is very easy as you follow a disused and overgrown logging road gently uphill.  After the first 30 minutes of hiking you come to a Y junction, take the path on the right and continue as the path eventually narrows and beautiful views of Howe Sound become visible.  You will pass two waterfalls, then come to a sign that blocks another old, very overgrown logging road and points to a narrow path to the right.  You will cross Harvey Creek over a beautiful little bridge with wonderful views, then the first significant uphill hiking starts.  From this point on the trail is very well marked with flagging tape, tree markers and paint indicators on the rock faces.

There are two plateaus before the final, very difficult ascent to the summit of the West Lion.  Both plateaus have incredible views and most make the second plateau their final destination.  It is at the base of the West Lion.  There are not really any suitable places to put up a tent, but if you had to choose, somewhere in the vicinity of these two plateaus would be the place to do it...

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