Hiking and Snowshoeing Trails in Vancouver by Month

January Hiking and Snowshoeing                                  Vancouver's Best Hikes

January is a fantastic place in Vancouver to get out snowshoeing & hiking.  Seymour Ski Resort just minutes from downtown Vancouver has some beautiful, and free snowshoeing & hiking trails with amazing views of the city far below.  Dog Mountain and Suicide Bluffs is a short 4.4k (return) snowshoeing trail that starts right from the ski lifts on Seymour.  You can park right next to the trailhead for free and the trail is well used and well marked all winter.  Pick a clear day and you will be amazed by the views.  Similar, yet even more dramatic views of Vancouver can be seen from the Hollyburn Mountain hiking/snowshoeing trail.  The trailhead runs from the cross country ski area of Cypress Mountain just 30 minutes from Seymour Ski Resort.  Hollyburn is much more challenging than Dog Mountain.  It is 7.7k (return) and fairly steep at times, but the views are fantastic.. and start right from the trailhead.  If you don't have snowshoes you can rent them at either trailhead for quite cheap.  You will see many people hiking these Vancouver trails, that is without snowshoes so it is possible if you prefer, especially if there hasn't been recent snow.

The hiking trails further north of these two mountains in Vancouver, you can find even more challenging and more amazing hiking and snowshoeing adventures.  In Squamish, just 45 minutes north of Vancouver, you will come to the gateway of Garibaldi Park.  The Diamond Head area is the southernmost edge of the fantastically beautiful Garibaldi Park, and one of the nicest snowshoeing/hiking trails around.  The 22k roundtrip route to Elfin Lakes and back is amazing.  The first 5k is a bit boring, running gradually uphill through a big tree forest.  But after clearing the forest you come to an amazing ridge with views on both sides of jagged, distant, snowy mountains.  The 6k, well marked ridge walk to the beautiful Elfin Lakes Hut is easy and barely gains elevation.  You will take about a hundred pictures of the amazing scenery and accomplish quite a hike with comparatively little effort, and have the amazing Elfin Lakes Hut to relax in.  This hiking trail will be consistently buried in snow from late November until mid June so bring snowshoes or you will have a difficult time hiking.

If you would rather be hiking than snowshoeing in Vancouver try the amazing trails at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.  A spider web of trails in this amazing park run about 10k in total, but you can do as little at 2k and see some amazing forest trails and beautiful ocean views.  Another great aspect of this park is it's location, as it is convenient and close to Vancouver, the drive to it in West Vancouver is quite beautiful as well.  You would have a difficult time finding a more beautiful,  relaxing and easy hiking trail in Vancouver than Lighthouse park.  It has a lot going for it.  Beautiful, massive tree forest, wonderful, sunny rock outcrops to picnic on, and tremendously beautiful views across to downtown Vancouver as well as the Lions Gate Bridge.  If you don't leave Lighthouse Park in love with Vancouver, then your standards are too high!

Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Other good hiking (non-snowshoeing) options in January would be the Stawamus Chief in Squamish and Shannon Falls and Upper Shannon Falls trail also in Squamish.  Squamish is only 45 minutes away from Vancouver and well worth the drive.  The Shannon Falls Trail is very short and therefore accessible year-round on foot and the Stawamus Chief trail is fairly steep and well used year-round so is usually hike-able when all the other trails require snowshoes.  The Chief hike will take you about 2 hours roundtrip and towers above Squamish with amazing views and the Shannon Falls hike only takes about 20 minutes roundtrip.  The Upper Shannon Falls trail is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

If you are really motivated to find an incredible snowshoeing destination from Vancouver in January than you have to try Joffre Lakes.  It is well known for it's incredible turquoise coloured lakes in the summer, but in the Winter it is a frozen, snowshoeing paradise.  It is located 3 hours north of Vancouver and not surprisingly is a well loved, though very long, Vancouver-locals, favourite snowshoeing day-trip.  Be very careful on this hike though.  Be well prepared with a map, very warm clothes and headlights.  Though the hiking trail is well tracked out by skis all winter, variable weather can obscure these tracks and the short daylight hours can leave you in the dark.  So try to only go on a nice, sunny day, and be well equipped for the unexpected.  Joffre Lakes is featured in the June edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

The beautiful Whistler area, 1.5 hours north of Vancouver is a mecca of hiking and snowshoeing as well as a world class ski resort.  There are a dizzying array of hiking and snowshoeing trails ranging from easy to difficult.  There are several snowshoeing trails that have an entrance fee but there are lots of even better trails that are convenient, amazing and free.  For a list of the free, best easy snowshoeing trails try here.. And a comprehensive list of free, moderate to challenging snowshoeing trails in Whistler try here.. So don't let the snowy, cold weather keep you out of the mountains.  Vancouver is extraordinarily beautiful and photogenic any month of the year and even so in January.

One thing to keep in mind when hiking or snowshoeing in and around Vancouver in January is the short daylight hours and unpredictable weather, especially in the mountains.  Be well prepared with extra clothing, lights etc.  Assume the possibility of being caught out after dark and you won't be worried when the light begins to fade as it inevitably does around 4pm.

Take a look at the the best hiking and snowshoeing trails in Vancouver here..

February Hiking and Snowshoeing                                 Vancouver's Best Hikes

February hiking and snowshoeing in Vancouver is even more amazing than January.  The days are a bit longer and a bit warmer than January and there is considerably more snow to play in.  For an absolutely unforgettable hiking and snowshoeing experience go for two days into the mountains of Garibaldi Park.  Elfin Lakes, just an hours drive north of Vancouver in Squamish is just about as good as it gets.  The 11k moderately easy hiking trail takes you through a big tree forest along a gradually uphill and well marked trail to a cute little hut with a wood stove.  This is the Red Heather Hut at the 5k point of the Elfin Lakes Trail.  A great place to warm up before tackling the relatively easy, though spectacular beautiful final 6k to the wonderful Elfin Lakes Hut at Elfin Lakes.  This 6k stretch of the trail runs along a ridge with incredible views in all directions, and ends at the well equipped Elfin Lakes Hut.  Propane heated, solar powered, and room for 33 to sleep, this "hut" looks and feels more like a ski lodge, which of course it really is.  More info here on the amazing Elfin Lakes Hut and amazing snowshoeing hike here.. There is a $15/person charge to sleep here, but it's well worth it.  Of course this can be done as a snowshoeing day-trip for free and because the trails is so well marked, returning after dark to your car is possible with good headlights.  Elfin Lakes is featured in the June edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

For hiking destinations in Vancouver there is the amazing Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver that can be hiked.  This runs through a beautiful forest to amazing ocean views across to downtown Vancouver.  You will rarely see snow here in February on this amazing network of trails through a big-tree forest.  The trails run as short as 2k to as long as 10k and all trails lead to beautiful ocean views and tranquil little beaches.  And driving there is half the fun as Lighthouse Park is located in West Vancouver, so the short, 20 to 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver takes you across the beautiful Lions Gate Bridge and along the wonderful ocean view road to West Vancouver.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Another nice trail in Vancouver to hike in February if you like huge trees is in Lynn Park in North Vancouver.  Here you will find two beautiful, snow free trails through towering forests of trees.  These are Lynn Peak and the Two Canyon Loop Trail.  Both are in the same area of North Vancouver, less than 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Other good hiking (non-snowshoeing) options in February are up in Squamish, 45 minutes away from Vancouver.  The Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls trail are great.  The Shannon Falls Trail is very short and therefore accessible year-round on foot and the Stawamus Chief trail is fairly steep and well used year-round so is usually hike-able when all the other trails require snowshoes.  The Chief hike will take you about 2 hours roundtrip and towers above Squamish with amazing views and the Shannon Falls hike only takes about 20 minutes roundtrip.  The Upper Shannon Falls hiking trail is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Snowshoeing options in February are quite good as well.  Seymour Ski Resort just minutes from downtown Vancouver has some beautiful, and free snowshoeing trails with amazing views of the city far below.  Dog Mountain and Suicide Bluffs is a short 4.4k (return) trail that starts right from the ski lifts on Seymour.  You can park right next to the trailhead for free and the trail is well used and well marked all winter.  Pick a clear day and you will be amazed by the views.  Similar, yet even more dramatic views of Vancouver can be seen from Hollyburn Mountain.  The trailhead runs from the cross country ski area of Cypress Mountain just 30 minutes from Seymour Ski Resort.  Hollyburn is much more challenging than Dog Mountain.  It is 7.7k (return) and fairly steep at times, but the views are fantastic.. and start right from the trailhead.  If you don't have snowshoes you can rent them at either trailhead for a decent price.

If you don't mind a 1.5 hour drive north of Vancouver to Whistler you will find an amazing array of snowshoeing trails in February.  Most are free to use.  For a list of the best easy snowshoeing trails try here.. And a comprehensive list of moderate to challenging snowshoeing trails in Whistler try here..

Take a look at the the best hiking and snowshoeing trails in Vancouver here..

March Hiking and Snowshoeing                                     Vancouver's Best Hikes

March hiking in Vancouver is beautiful.  You finally see the very cold weather of winter lift and get out snowshoeing in the mountains in a t-shirt.  Hollyburn Mountain at the Cypress Mountain Ski Resort is a great place to start.  It's free, the trailhead is convenient and easy to find, and the drive to it from Vancouver takes only 30 minutes and is beautiful.  Incredible city views far below you can be seen at various stops on the drive up.  If you are not familiar with Vancouver's night skyline.  Cypress is one of the beautiful, lit up ski hills you see so dramatic in the distance at night.  Hollyburn Mountain snowshoeing is fairly steep, but manageable by most.  Expect to be hiking 3 to 4 hours total.  But that includes about half an hour at the summit admiring the incredible view.  Try to do this one on a clear day and stay late to catch the sunset, it's phenomenal.  The trail is very well marked, but of course bring a light if you stay for the sunset.

Dog Mountain at Seymour is similar to Hollyburn, though easier, shorter and less amazing views.  It's also free and very convenient to downtown Vancouver.  If you want to just get out of the city for a beautiful hike in an amazing forest trail with great ocean views and beach walks then head for Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.  The drive alone is fantastic and the park for a lot of people represents what Vancouver is all about.  Big beautiful trees, wonderful forest trails, amazingly wild beaches and few people to break the silence.  And having the towering Lions Gate Bridge dominating the view makes it all the more beautiful.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

If you are into adventure, The Lions are a great place to snowshoe in March, and not too far from Vancouver.  Less than an hours drive will get you to the trailhead in Lions Bay (just south of Squamish).  The easy to follow trail takes you up to some great views of Howe Sound far below, and gets you up close to the West Lion.  One of the iconic Lions that are visible from many places in Vancouver and inspired the naming of the BC Lions and the Lions Gate Bridge.

Some good hiking (non-snowshoeing) options in March are up in Squamish, just a 45 minute drive from Vancouver.  The Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls trail are great.  The Shannon Falls Trail is very short and therefore accessible year-round on foot and the Stawamus Chief trail is fairly steep and well used year-round so is usually hike-able when all the other trails require snowshoes.  The Chief hike will take you about 2 hours roundtrip and towers above Squamish with amazing views and the Shannon Falls hike only takes about 20 minutes roundtrip.  The Upper Shannon Falls Trail is a relatively unknown, yet amazing trail through thick forest to some fantastic views comparable to the Chief but without the crowds.  A bit further of a hike at 5.5k roundtrip, but well worth it.  In March it will be completely free of snow and wonderful to hike.  The Upper Shannon Falls hiking trail is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Further north in Whistler, the snow persists well into April so bring or rent snowshoes if you plan to hike in March.  But in March the days are long and the temperatures fairly warm so a snowshoe hike to Train Wreck, Rainbow Falls, Cheakamus River among quite a few other great choices, is always fun.  For a great list of the best easy snowshoeing trails try here.. And a comprehensive list of moderate to challenging snowshoeing trails in Whistler try here..

Take a look at the the best hiking and snowshoeing trails in Vancouver here..

April Hiking and Snowshoeing                                       Vancouver's Best Hikes

April hiking in Vancouver is beautiful.  The warm, spring weather starts and the days are long.  It's a great month to hike one of the amazingly lit up mountains so visible from Vancouver at night.  Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain, both ski resorts, also lay among fabulous parks and therefore the hiking trails on the parklands are entirely free to use.  And because of the close proximity to Vancouver and the impossibly beautiful views they have of the city below, they are very popular and well designed.  Just a 30 minute drive gets you to either Dog Mountain at Seymour Ski Resort, or Hollyburn Mountain at Cypress Ski Resort.  The drive alone is beautiful, but the trails are amazing.  Try for a nice clear day in April and get ready to marvel at the amazing city below.  These two mountains powerfully contribute to Vancouver's constant ranking as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Black Mountain is another beautiful hiking trail also located in Cypress Provincial Park close to Hollyburn Mountain.  It is a fantastic 8k roundtrip hike with constant jaw dropping views.

For a Vancouver hiking trail a bit more challenging in Cypress Provincial Park try St Mark's Summit.  Breathtaking views of Howe Sound at the end of the amazing hike.  Another beautiful hike close to downtown Vancouver. 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.

For something a bit easier Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver has easy, deep forest trails ending at various amazing beach vantage points of Lions Gate Bridge and downtown Vancouver.  It is also a beautiful drive into the gorgeous West Vancouver which hugs the ocean all the way to the park.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Squamish, just 45 minutes north of Vancouver has some amazing places to hike.  The Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls trail are great.  The Shannon Falls Trail is very short and therefore accessible year-round on foot and the Stawamus Chief trail is fairly steep and well used year-round so is usually hike-able when all the other trails require snowshoes.  The Chief hike will take you two or three hours roundtrip and towers above Squamish with amazing views and the (lower) Shannon Falls hike only takes about 20 minutes roundtrip.  The Upper Shannon Falls Trail is a relatively unknown, yet amazing trail through thick forest to some fantastic views comparable to the Chief but without the crowds.  A bit further of a hike at 5.5k roundtrip, but well worth it.  In March it will be one of the few trails around completely free of snow.  The Upper Shannon Falls hiking trail is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

For some truly magnificent hiking & snowshoeing in April head north to Garibaldi Park.  This huge park stretches from Squamish, 45 minutes north of Vancouver, way past Whistler 1.5 hours north of Vancouver.  There are several access points to this wonderful park.  The Diamond Head trailhead in Squamish is a good place to start.  This trailhead leads to the amazing Elfin Lakes.  An 11k fantastic hike into towering, snow packed mountains everywhere.  The trail is popular year-round and well marked and unless you plan to stay overnight at the amazing hut at Elfin Lakes, or camp there, there are no park fees.  The Hut is $15/person per night and well worth it.  Take a look, the place is amazing.. In April there will still be considerable snow, probably two metres at the trailhead, so make sure you are equipped with ski's or snowshoes.  Though it is possible hike the trail without snowshoes due to the trail being packed down by others it's not very enjoyable as you sink into the snow up to your knees at times.

Further north in Whistler, 1.5 hours from Vancouver you come to the Rubble Creek trailhead gateway to Garibaldi Park.  This is the hiking trailhead most use to hike to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge, and quite a lot more.  In April the road from the highway to the trailhead should be drive-able, free of snow that is.  In the winter months you have to park, not far from the highway and hike a couple kilometres to the trailhead, so April is a relief to come.  The Rubble Creek trail will be buried in snow until well into June however, so be prepared for awkward walking on snow, although the trail is always well packed down from people before you.  Still you will be glad to put on snowshoes a couple kilometres into the trail once the snow becomes difficult to walk on.  You will encounter the odd skier coming down this trail as it is very popular this time of year.

Cheakamus Lake, just as you enter Whistler is the next gateway to Garibaldi Park.  Unfortunately the 8k gravel road to the trailhead is not plowed of snow and is consistently undrive-able into May.  But if you are motivated you can drive it as far as you can and park at one of the many pullouts and walk from there.  Cheakamus Lake is only 3k from the trailhead and beautiful any time of the year.  The Cheakamus Trail also branches off at 1.5k and leads to Helm Creek and Black Tusk further along.  This is a wonderful way to access the less busy side of Garibaldi Park, but in April this trail will be under at least two metres of snow and a very tough snowshoe hike as it's a long trail and consistently steep.  Cheakamus Lake is featured in the June edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Whistler has a mind boggling array of hiking/snowshoeing options and April sees the snowline move from Whistler Village at the start of April to well up the mountains by the end of April.  So keep this in mind when venturing out.  You will need snowshoes for much of April.  For a list of places to snowshoe check here..

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

May Hiking Recommendations                                      Vancouver's Best Hikes

May is a wonderful month to hike in and around Vancouver.  The long, warm summer days finally arrive and the true hiking season begins.  However, summer holidays for many haven't started yet so May is a great time to take advantage of fairly quiet hiking trails.  The Upper Shannon Falls Trail in Squamish, just 45 minutes from Vancouver is an amazing example of this.  It is a branching trail from the now hugely popular Stawamus Chief Trail.  Because it is a branching trail it goes almost completely unnoticed.  This is astounding.  And wonderful.  Any weekend you go hiking the Chief you will be amazed at how many people had the same idea you did.  It's never too crowded as to be bad, but the Chief does get very busy.

You will see probably a hundred people by the time you get to the sign, 15 minutes into the Stawamus Chief Trail, that points to the right and says, "Upper Shannon Falls Trail".  Once you take this trail an astounding thing happens.  Silence.  It's uncanny.  No matter how crowded the trail is just metres away, this one is always deserted.  Such a shame, as it's beautiful.  It runs through a beautiful forest with streams, small canyons, bridges and a massive, grass covered mountain top with amazing views down to Howe Sound.  If you continue further, you come to a mountain top cliff, similar to the Chief, though not as impressive.  From these peaks you have incredible views down to Squamish and across to the now distant Chief's peaks.  And of course along the way, the Upper Shannon Falls which are beautiful as well.

Upper Shannon Falls is featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

If you are wanting an exciting and challenging hike, The Lions, just a short drive north of Vancouver in Lions Bay is a very rewarding hike.  If you don't manage to summit the West Lion, as many don't, you will still take in some breathtaking views from this wonderful trail.  Give yourself lots of time though as it's 8k, one way and consistently uphill, though only moderately.

Take a look at some of the many other beautiful hiking trails in Vancouver.  From the easy and scenic Lighthouse Park trails, Dog Mountain on Seymour, or the Two Canyon Loop in North Van.  To the more challenging and spectacular hikes like Black Mountain, Hollyburn Mountain or St Mark's Summit, all in Cypress Provincial Park and all very unique hiking experiences.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine pictured here.

In the summertime, Whistler, 1.5 hours north of Vancouver is a hiking paradise.  Whistler is located right in the middle of the fabulous Garibaldi Park.  For a list of the best hikes in and around Whistler take a look here..

Take a look at the the overall best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

June Hiking Recommendations                                     Vancouver's Best Hikes

Hiking in Vancouver in June is phenomenal.  The number of trails are staggering.  If you had to pick one hike to do in June you couldn't go wrong with Joffre Lakes.  Though it's a 3 hour drive north of Vancouver, the hike is well worth the drive.  The hike past the lower, middle and upper Joffre Lakes is only 5k and you only gain 400m of elevation, which is not terribly strenuous.  It's just an all round beautiful hike from start to finish.  June in particularly nice at Joffre Lakes as there will still be some lingering snow to make the place look that much more menacing contrasted with the impossibly turquoise coloured lakes.  Make sure you pick a sunny day to see Joffre Lakes as the sunshine brings the colours to life that much more.  Hiking to Joffre Lakes is featured in this months Vancouver Hiking Magazine.

If you make the beautiful drive from Vancouver to Joffre try to see some of the many great sights on the way.  Here is a great list of must see sights between Vancouver and Whistler.  You may not have time for them all, but try to see at least one!  Best sights on the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler here..

Closer to home, hiking in Vancouver in June is amazing.  If you have never been to Lighthouse Park take the beautiful drive along the ocean to West Vancouver and hike the beautiful 2k to 10k network of trails through the beautiful forest to the many beautiful ocean views and of course an impressive lighthouse.  Lighthouse Park is a beautiful half day hike conveniently close to downtown Vancouver.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's wonderful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

There are several beautiful hikes in Vancouver, take a look here at a list of the best hikes around the Vancouver area.. These include the amazing and relatively easy Dog Mountain and Suicide Bluffs 4.4k roundtrip hike at the Seymour Ski Resort just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  The views from this hike are amazing of the Vancouver and you should make an effort to catch this trail near dawn or dusk on a clear day for a sunrise or sunset you will never forget.  Elfin Lakes is included in this list as well.  This is the southernmost tip of Garibaldi Park and an amazing 22k, not to difficult, though long hike among a staggering array of snowy mountains in all directions.  The trailhead is only an hour from downtown Vancouver in Squamish.  Hollyburn Mountain makes this best of Vancouver hiking list as well.  A bit of a steep hike, though still relatively easy, and short too at just 7k roundtrip.  The views of Vancouver are even more amazing than from Dog Mountain.  This hike is located at Cypress Mountain Ski Resort, and just 30 minutes from Vancouver as well.  Lynn Peak in North Vancouver is also one of the best hikes around.  This hike differs from the previous ones as it is more of a rainforest type of hike.  Rivers and deep forest with massive trees in Lynn Valley are the highlights of this hike, and the view at the top is not bad either.

The West Lion Summit Trail is a great trail located just an hours drive from Vancouver in the beautiful Lions Bay community in between Vancouver and Squamish.  The trail is consistently uphill, but not too steep.  It's well marked as it rises to views of Howe Sound far below.  The trail eventually leads to the very difficult, class 3 scramble to the summit of the West Lion, but this final hike is by no means necessary.  The views from the relatively easy plateau before the summit are amazing and that is the end of the trail for the vast majority of hikers on this trail.  If you are unfamiliar with The Lions, they are the unmistakable twin mountain peaks visible from all around Vancouver.  They inspired the name for Vancouver's football team, the BC Lions as well as the iconic Lions Gate Bridge.

For a tremendous variety of hiking trails, Whistler is the place to go.  One of the greatest ski resorts in the world, and more recently a world renowned mountain biking resort, is now evolving into a world class hiking destination as well.  With the recent addition of the Peak to Peak Gondola, Whistler has had to open quite an amazing array of hiking trails on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains for summer hiking.  Of course there is a charge for the gondola to access these trails, the price is reasonable considering the mystifying spider web of trails on both mountains connected as they are with the astoundingly breathtaking Peak to Peak Gondola.  And as if it could possibly get better both mountains lead to some incredible hikes on connecting mountains, trails and traverses, such as Russet Lake and the Spearhead Traverse among quite a few more.  If you haven't included Whistler in your hiking itinerary, you might want to now.  Take a look at some of the best of the best hikes here..

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

July Hiking Recommendations                                      Vancouver's Best Hikes

July in Vancouver is an absolute paradise for hiking.  Every trail is beautiful and snow free.  Even the trails in Garibaldi Park will have very little snow except of course at the higher elevations.  Panorama Ridge, for example will have snow on the final ascent well into July, but you won't need snowshoes as it will be hard packed and easy to hike on.

In and around Vancouver you have plenty of fantastic, summertime hiking options.  From the easier hikes like Lighthouse Park and Dog Mountain.  To more strenuous hikes like Hollyburn Mountain, Black Mountain, St Mark's Summit and The Lions.  The Lions in July will be snow free which finally allows for the difficult ascent of the West Lion, which is borderline suicidal during the snowy months of winter and spring when hand and footholds are wet and slippery.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

July in Garibaldi Park is when the snow on the higher elevations finally melt enough to hike all the trails without worrying about snowshoes.  Take a look at this summary list of the best 5 hikes in and around Squamish for a good idea of where to go.. These include Black Tusk, one of the most incredible hikes in Whistler, and a local icon.  Though a long hike, 15k roundtrip, the breathtaking and scary final ascent, makes the summit view even more memorable.  You will see Black Tusk while driving as you approach Whistler, about 10 minutes north of Squamish.  Hard to believe, but you can actually get to the summit, and without special equipment.

Up in Whistler, Wedgemount Lake is a  hiking marvel.  Just 7k to the unbelievable Wedgemount Lake which leads to easy access to the impressive Wedgemount Glacier, and several amazing mountain hikes beyond.  Wedgemount Lake has a beautiful, and free to use little hut if you don't want to tent or sleep under the stars as many do on perfect July nights.

Russet Lake is another beautiful hike ending at a beautiful lake and free mountain hut.  This hike can be done, starting at the Whistler Gondola, then the Peak Chair, then 14k alone the amazing Musical Bumps trail via the High Note Trail.  There is a charge of course to ride the gondola, but it can be done for free via the Singing Pass trail and returning for free on the Whistler Gondola, but not nearly as fun.

Cirque Lake in the Callaghan Valley (1 hour north of Squamish), finally becomes hike-able in July, though via a canoe trip across the Callaghan Lake.

And of course Panorama Ridge, an unbelievable 29k roundtrip hike that passes the flower filled Taylor Meadows Campground, Black Tusk and beautifully turquoise Garibaldi Lake and of course best done via these other sights over 2-4 days.

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

August Hiking Recommendations                                  Vancouver's Best Hikes

August hiking in Vancouver, British Columbia definitely has the most consistently great, hot weather.  You can feel the rare pleasure of walking across a glacier shirtless and still be hot.  Even in the high elevations and on glaciers the temperatures are often a beautifully hot 20c plus.

In and around Vancouver you have plenty of fantastic, summertime hiking options.  From the easier hikes like Lighthouse Park and Dog Mountain.  To more strenuous hikes like Hollyburn Mountain, Black Mountain, St Mark's Summit and The Lions.  The Lions in August will be snow free which allows for the difficult ascent of the West Lion, which is borderline suicidal during the snowy months of winter and spring when hand and footholds are wet and slippery.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's amazing Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

There are numerous glaciers that are readily accessible via Whistler area hiking trails.  The Wedgemount Lake trail leads to the beautiful Wedgemount Lake which is fed by the massive glacier of the same name.  The glacier is easily hiked to and very safe to clamour over its lower reaches.  This glacier disappears into the sun as it stretches up the the magnificent Wedge Mountain and no fewer than 12 named glaciers beyond.  This is a wondrous hiking paradise with branching hikes that stretch away from the hut like a giant spiders arms.  The hikes from Wedgemount Lake range from easy to difficult to extremely dangerous.  And you will likely see a good mix of day hikers at one end to the ice axe, rope and harness types at the other.  All dispersing into this fantastically huge expanse of mountains, glaciers and perfect lakes.

Garibaldi Park is incredible in August.  From Elfin Lakes in the Diamond Head region here in Squamish.  To the spider web of trails in the middle leading to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, Black Tusk, Helm Creek, Mount Garibaldi, Cheakamus Lake and many more all the way up to Wedgemount Lake in Whistler.  If you start on the trail to Garibaldi Lake on a beautiful day in August, you may find quite a few cars at the trailhead, and a fair number of people on the trail.  When you reach the fork in the trail between Taylor Meadows Campsite and Garibaldi Lake Campsite, you may see, "campsites full".  This leads you to believe that this place is overrun with hikers, but that's only partly true.  The reason is that this incredibly vast wilderness, with many hiking trails and countless alpine routes, is only accessed by a few trailheads, which is a great thing.  This ensures that the vast, though very accessible wilderness beyond the popular, named hiking trails remain impossibly quiet.  A look at a map of Garibaldi Park and you can see this pretty clearly.  There will be concentrations of people at Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, and Taylor Meadows and some way over at Wedgemount Lake, but everything in between will be empty.  Even on a seemingly chaotic August weekend.

For a unforgettable hiking experience just over an hours drive from Vancouver, Cirque Lake is a great choice.  The trailhead is only reachable by canoe and the hike looks impossibly steep from far off.  But it's not terribly difficult, and fairly short.  So if you have a canoe it's amazing, especially in August.

For and good idea where to hike in Squamish, just 45 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, take a look at the top 5 best places to hike in Squamish here.. Or for easier and shorter hikes take a look here, at the best easy hikes in Whistler... Remember though that in Garibaldi Park, which most of the best Squamish hikes are located, dogs are not allowed.  So if you have a dog, take a look here at the best dog friendly hikes in here.. and the best easy and short dog friendly hikes here..

If your interested in quick and beautiful, short hikes up in Squamish take a look at the easy hikes to waterfalls in Squamish here..

If you just want to relax in a natural hot spring, there are four to choose from, though a bit of a drive from Squamish.  If you have not been to or heard of Skookumchuck Hot Springs or Sloquet Hot Springs, take a look, they make for an amazing day trip or an even better two or three day trip.

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

September Hiking Recommendations                           Vancouver's Best Hikes

Hiking in Vancouver in September could easily be considered the best month of the year to hike.  Up in Garibaldi Park the snowline is about as high in the mountains as it will get all year, and the temperatures are still quite warm.  The busy summer holidays have passed and the mountains around Vancouver are becoming tranquil and quiet again.  And as if it couldn't get better, it does.  There are no annoying insects.  What an amazing month to go hiking.  If you have never hiked up to Wedgemount Lake in Whistler, than September is the time to make your first trip.  You may even get the entire mountain paradise to yourself.

Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, Helm Creek, Black Tusk and the numerous other hikes around Garibaldi Park also share these amazing benefits.  You could easily occupy yourself in the Black Tusk area of Garibaldi Park for 2-3 days as there is just so much to see.  Elfin Lakes, at the south end of Garibaldi Park in Squamish is incredible in September.  It's quite a busy place most of the year and every weekend of the year, but in September it's quiet.. relatively.  Panorama Ridge is often cited as the best hiking trail in Garibaldi Park is possibly best hiked in September.

North of Squamish, in and around Whistler, there are a few, very good, dog friendly hikes.  Ring Lake and Conflict Lake up in the Callaghan Valley, south of Whistler and very beautiful and amazing in September when all the lingering snow has melted.  In 2011 Ring Lake was still frozen in mid August!  Brandywine Meadows is a great hike in September as well.  Dog friendly and though a muddy trail much of the summer, comparatively dry in September and still alive with beautiful flowers.  Brew Lake is another dog friendly, though fairly tough hike, with beautiful views down to Daisy Lake from the trail.  Brew Lake is another lake often frozen in July still, so September makes it a great one to try.  The trailhead, a bit surprisingly, is not far from Brandywine Falls, and in fact most park there to begin the hike.  Don't expect any facilities on any of these three beautiful hiking destinations.  They are well off the beaten track, not in Garibaldi Park, and wild, desolate and beautiful.  For a look at the best dog friendly hikes in Whistler check here.. And the best easy and short dog friendly hikes in Whistler here..

For a good summary of the best of the best hiking in Whistler take a look at the overall best easy hikes here.. and the best moderate to difficult Whistler area hiking here..

In Vancouver you have plenty of fantastic and conveniently close hiking options.  From the easier hikes like Lighthouse Park and Dog Mountain.  To more exhausting, though rewarding hikes like Hollyburn Mountain, Black Mountain, St Mark's Summit and The Lions.  The Lions in September will be snow free which allows for the difficult ascent of the West Lion, which is borderline suicidal during the snowy months of winter and spring when hand and footholds are wet and slippery.  Hiking trails in Vancouver's beautiful Lighthouse Park are featured in the May edition of Vancouver's Ultimate Hiking Magazine.

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

October Hiking Recommendations                                Vancouver's Best Hikes

October is both a terrible and a wonderful time to hike in Vancouver.  It is often terrible due to the frequent poor weather, cold and rainy days, and the very short length of daylight.  But October in Vancouver can be wonderful for hiking too.  The trails are empty of hikers and the fall colours make for amazingly beautiful hiking that you just can't compare with on any other month.  The amazingly bright golds and reds you see carpeting the trails bring the forest alive.  Add to this the occasional dusting of snow you get on higher elevations and the views are breathtaking.  If you can manage it you should make a point to do an overnight hike to a place like Joffre Lakes or Wedgemount Lake on a full moon.  The valleys on a full moon are unbelievable, with the almost eerie brightness in the dead of night.  To spend the night in a place like that is unforgettable.

In Squamish, some great October hikes would be the Upper Shannon Falls Trail or the amazing Stawamus Chief Trail.  Both are fairly steep, but short trails, so can be done in an afternoon.  The short trail to the amazing Shannon falls can be done in just 20 minutes if you are after a short hike.  Other waterfalls in the Squamish area can be found here...

For an easy hiking trail 45 minutes north of Vancouver try Alice Lake Provincial Park is beautiful year-round.  And in October, the leaves are phenomenal.  The place lights up with magnificent golds and yellows against the distant white mountains.  A more difficult, though incredible trail in October is the Elfin Lakes Trail in Garibaldi Park.  Snow doesn't start falling significantly until November, so the trail, though long at 22k return, is amazing to hike in the fall.  Over-nighting at the wonderful Elfin Lakes hut cost's just $15 and makes for an exceptionally wonderful fall hiking trip.

Though seldom hiked in October, the trails in Garibaldi Park are generally unused.  These wonderful, and very hikeable-in-October trails include the Garibaldi Lake trail, Taylor Meadows, Black Tusk and the Helm Creek Trail via the Cheakamus Lake trailhead.  You just have to be prepared on these long hikes to have adequate warm and wet weather clothing and good lights as the short October days might catch you in the dark on an even darker trail.  Russet Lake in Whistler is fantastic in October.  Beautiful, ominously deserted and free of snow for a couple more weeks.

The Lions, just 45 minutes north of Vancouver in Lions Bay is also an incredible hike in October.  This very popular summer hiking trail is beautifully quiet in October, so much so as you will likely not see anyone on the trail.  This compared to the summer months when you have to be lucky to get a parking spot at the trailhead.  The summit trail to the West Lion is still free of snow in October and can be hiked, though it is a very difficult, class 3 scramble.  If you don't want to hike the West Lion Summit, the plateau just before the summit is reachable with little difficulty and has spectacular views of Howe Sound far below.  Other beautiful trails south of Squamish include the wonderful Lighthouse Trail and the Hollyburn Trail, both in Vancouver and less than an hours drive away.

For something very out of the ordinary a hike to Parkhurst Ghost Town in Whistler is beautiful in October.  This once thriving little logging town on Green Lake was abandoned decades ago, leaving behind several houses and some extraordinary pieces of machinery.  It is best reached by canoe, but can also be reached via a hiking & biking trail near the Wedgemount Lake trailhead.  Parkhurst is featured in the May 2012 edition of Vancouver's Hiking Magazine.

Take a look at the the best hiking trails in Vancouver here..

November Hiking Recommendations                            Vancouver's Best Hikes

November is when the temperature in Vancouver falls and snow begins to fall as well in the mountains.  The hiking trails turn into snowshoeing trails.  One amazing trail to snowshoe in November is up in Squamish, the Elfin Lakes trail.  You can do it in a long day snowshoeing trip, though it is long, 22k return.  A better option is to stay in the beautiful Elfin Lakes Hut at Elfin Lakes, 11k from the trailhead.  The area is amazing and halfway up the trail you reach an amazing ridge, where the snowshoeing is very relaxed and the views amazing all the way to the hut.  There is a usage charge, $15, which seems very high, but it is a beautiful hut, solar powered and heated by propane.

If you are adventurous and have lots of stamina the Wedgemount Lake hut and the Russet Lake hut are free, though definitely a good workout to reach in November.  If you do though, you will almost certainly have them to yourself and there is no charge to use.

Even though the snow begins in November there are some good hiking options early in the month.  Cheakamus Lake in Whistler is amazing in the fall with the golden leaves all along the trail and the incredibly serene lake.  In Squamish the Stawamus Chief is usually free of snow, and if not, usually still hike-able without snowshoes because of the steepness and popularity of the trail.  The Upper Shannon Falls Trail is similarly great in November, however fairly tricky when the snow gets deep.  The regular Shannon Falls trail to the main view point is accessible year-round no matter the weather.  Alice Lake Park is another easy trail open year-round and just minutes from Squamish.

Other waterfalls that can be seen in November include Brandywine Falls, 20 minutes north of Squamish and Alexander Falls about 40 minutes north.  Nairn Falls is a nice, half hour hike to see, and they are located 1 hour north of Squamish near Pemberton.

Hikes in the Garibaldi Lake area are pretty enticing in November.  More than you would think.  The trailheads such as the Rubble Creek trailhead and the Cheakamus Lake trailhead are still free of snow enough to drive to which they are not the rest of the winter.  So you save a couple kilometres of steep and boring hiking that you have to do in the following few months.  And the snow is thin and the trail easy to follow for at least part of the hike.  A summit attempt on Black Tusk may be too ambitious in November, but a circle route of Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake is relatively easy to do.

Take a look at the the best hiking and snowshoeing trails in Vancouver here..

December Hiking Recommendations                            Vancouver's Best Hikes

December hiking in and around Vancouver is of course often done on snowshoes.  With the exception of the Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls and Alice Lake up in Squamish (45 minutes drive north of Downtown Vancouver), and various hikes in Vancouver such as Lighthouse Park, the Lynn Valley trails.

Other Vancouver area hiking possibilities, that is without snowshoes, are the various waterfalls around the Squamish area in addition to Shannon Falls.  Such as Brandywine Falls and Nairn Falls.  You can still easily get to both of these despite snow, though both parking lots will be closed by gates and a wall of snow, so you will have to park outside the gates.  Both will have areas plowed to park though and depending on the deepness of the snow, snowshoes might possibly be needed.

Snowshoeing possibilities are almost endless around Vancouver.  From the brutally difficult, though unbelievably rewarding Wedgemount Lake in Whistler to the very easy and astonishingly beautiful Train Wreck in Whistler.  Check out the Whistler list of best places to snowshoe here... and the best easy places to snowshoe here...

Without a doubt the two best places to snowshoe in December are Elfin Lakes in Squamish and Joffre Lakes north of Pemberton.  Elfin Lakes is beautiful and relaxing, though long at 11k one way and ends at an amazing hut.  Joffre Lakes is a bit tougher as the trail is obscured in the snow, but can be reliably navigated by following ski tracks.  Joffre Lakes is quite a deep snow, wilderness hike past or across two frozen lakes and reaching the third Joffre Lakes frozen and surrounded by mountains.

Some other amazing snowshoeing hikes in Vancouver are ones such as Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park.  The trailhead is located at the cross country skiing area of the Cypress Mountain Ski Resort.  Parking and trail use is free and the trail is amazingly well marked.  So well marked than many snowshoe the trail to Hollyburn Mountain after dark, though with the help of headlights.  Further south at another ski resort, Seymour Ski Resort, you will find a beautiful snowshoeing trail to Dog Mountain & Suicide Bluffs.  This trail is also well marked and free to use by anyone.  Both of these trails have amazing views of Vancouver far below, so if you can try to do them at sunset or sunrise.  If you don't want to snowshoe then Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is both amazing and snow free year-round.  And conveniently located just minutes from the Sea to Sky Highway on the way to or from Vancouver.

Take a look at the the best hiking and snowshoeing trails in Vancouver here..