Seymour Provincial Park has some fantastic hiking trails grouped together at the end of a beautiful drive from downtown Vancouver.  Mystery Lake and Goldie Lake can be combined in a nice loop trail and Dog Mountain and Mount Seymour are usually done as separate, half-day hikes from the same trailhead.  Deep Cove Lookout just past and below Seymour Provincial Park.

At the far end of the Baden Powell Trail, in the cute town of Deep Cove is home to the fantastic Deep Cove Lookout trail.  Also known as Quarry Rock and the Grey Rock Trail, the Deep Cove Lookout Trail is amazing.  The wonderful trail crosses numerous creek bridges to get to the impressive lookout with views of Deep Cove and Indian Arm far below.  Indian Arm is a 20k fjord that cuts deep into the mainland.  The slopes on either side are heavily forested and steep and therefore have seen little human development as compared to the heavily populated regions nearby.  The hike is fairly relaxing.  There is free parking off Panorama Drive and the trailhead is marked with a Baden Powell Trail sign.  The first kilometre sees most of the 160 metre elevation gain and from then on it is a relaxing walk in the woods the the beautiful lookout.  Dogs are welcome on the trail and there are washrooms at the parking lot.  Deep Cove is a very pretty coastal town full of nice shops and restaurants as well as a nice pier and marina to wander around in.

Why should you hike the Deep Cove Lookout trail in Vancouver?

Deep Cove Lookout is a wonderful, relatively easy, yet beautifully varied trail through the wilderness of Deep Cove.  The lookout viewpoint is always sun facing and on a sunny day you will not want to leave.  There always seems to be something going on down on the water.  Boats cruising back and forth and sometimes people crab fishing off the dock.  Deep Cove is one of many places in Vancouver that an astounding number of locals have not ventured to see, and Deep Cove Lookout has got to be the best way to see it.

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Deep Cove Lookout Trail >>

Mystery Lake is an easy, well marked trail that leads to a cute mountain lake that is perfect for relaxing, swimming or having a picnic.  It is just 1.5k to the lake and like the rest of Seymour Park dogs are welcome.  The trailhead is easy to find once you have reached the main parking lot to Mount Seymour Resort.  Just look for the signs for Mystery Lake on the frequent trail signs.  The trail starts off by ascending up the ski slopes of Seymour for a few hundred metres.  This section is fairly steep, though not terribly difficult.  This trail takes you under the Mystery Chairlift and into the trees, away from the ski runs.  The trail then winds through the forest and out to another ski run where you get your first great view of Vancouver far below.  If you arrive to Mystery Lake on a nice day with no wind or rain you will be amazed at the reflection off the lake.  It is wonderfully sheltered by cliffs and trees, making the water mirror-like on most days.  If you brought kids with you, they will be in paradise.  Shallow, ever changing shoreline with crystal clear water and tadpoles lurking in the water just out of reach.  There is a fantastic, rocky island that you have to hop from rock to rock to get to.  This little island always seems to escape the shade that falls on most other parts of the lake.  If you brought a picnic or are looking to just relax, this is the spot to aim for first.  You will notice two trails branch off from near this island.  One continues further up to another fork in the trail.  Left goes to Mystery Peak and right takes you to Goldie Lake via a somewhat challenging trail that seems to get little use.  The other trail that branches off from near the little island takes you back to the Mystery Lake trail via another ski run.  This also connects to the Mount Seymour trail that you can either take to Mount Seymour or back to your car at the trailhead.

Why should you hike to Mystery Lake in Vancouver?

Mystery Lake is about as idyllic as possible for a small mountain lake.  Sheltered from the wind the water is always mirror-like, reflecting the forest perfectly.  The lake is surrounded by rock outcrops, cliffs and trails ensuring that you can find a quiet corner to relax.  The trail, though steep, is just a short 1.5 kilometres from the parking lot at Seymour.  The challenging trail that runs past Mystery Lake then descends to Goldie Lake then back to the Seymour parking lot is well worth doing though the trail is hard to follow when the daylight fades in the evening.

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Mystery Lake in Mount Seymour Provincial Park >>

The Goldie Lake trail in Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a cute, self-guided interpretive trail that runs around this small mountain lake.  Although it is only 4 kilometres(roundtrip) for the normal loop trail, there are some side-trail variations that can lengthen and vary the route to almost 6k. Flower Lake is one of these trails and well worth the look.  Certainly one of the more family friendly hikes on in Mount Seymour Park when compared to the more rigorous hikes like the nearby Mount Seymour and Mount Elsay hikes.  If you are hoping for a swim in an alpine lake then Mystery Lake, also in Mount Seymour Park is the best bet and also family friendly at just 3 kilometres for the roundtrip hike.  Mystery Lake is much nicer for swimming as it is crystal clear and surrounded by rock outcrops ideal for lounging in the sun.

Why should you hike to Goldie Lake in Vancouver?

Goldie Lake sits in a serene little meadow just a short hike from the Mount Seymour parking lot.  Deep in the wilderness, Goldie Lake is often overlooked by other hikers and therefore less busy.  Goldie Lake is best combined with a hike to Mystery Lake or Dog Mountain as it is a fairly short hike on its own.

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Goldie Lake in Mount Seymour Park >>

Dog Mountain is a beautiful, short and fun hike (or snowshoe trek) close to Vancouver and starting from the parking lot of Mount Seymour Resort.  Just 2.2k gets you from your car to breathtaking views of the big city below.  This area is popular all year-round and there are plenty of trails to choose from.  In the summer the trails include, Mount Elsay, a beautiful and very challenging 16k roundtrip hike to a beautiful mountain peak.  Mount Seymour, a moderately challenging 8k roundtrip to the top of Seymour and amazing panoramic views.  And Goldie Lake and Mystery Lake, which have their own comparatively easy, family friendly trails. Dog Mountain is 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.  If you are new to Vancouver hiking, you will learn that anytime of the year, catching the sun setting over Vancouver from Dog Mountain is a cherished habit for many locals.  Dog Mountain is a fantastic hike for many reasons, but unexpectedly, 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.  There are amazing vantage points at many bends in the road and you will certainly need to stop at least once on the journey to take in the amazing views.

Why should you hike to Dog Mountain in Mt Seymour Provincial Park?

Beautiful trail, dog friendly and great views at the end make this a locals favourite.  You can even grab a beer before or after at the rustic restaurant/cafeteria/pub at the trailhead.  Mount Seymour Provincial Park is amazing.. and the cost?  Parking - free, trails - free, snowshoeing trails in the winter - free, backcountry camping (where permitted) - free.  BC Parks are great!

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Dog Mountain in Mount Seymour Park >>

The busy Mount Seymour trail in Seymour Provincial Park is a locals favourite.  It is challenging and an excellent workout at 4k from the trailhead to the summit.  The views are phenomenal.  On a clear day you can see as far as Vancouver Island as well as amazing views of Vancouver, the lower mainland and the Gulf Islands.  Located in the beautiful Mount Seymour Provincial Park there are several hikes in the area.  There are a few easy lake trails like Mystery Lake and Goldie Lake.  These are family friendly hikes.  Another, relatively easy hike branches off shortly after the start of the trail to Mount Seymour.  Dog Mountain, easy and also family friendly and very popular in the winter as a snowshoeing trail. Mount Seymour Provincial Park is very dog friendly and backcountry camping is welcome in several areas.  Usually beyond Mount Seymour in the Elsay Lake part of the park.

Why should you hike to Mount Seymour in Vancouver?

Right from the parking lot you get some amazing views of Vancouver and surrounding areas.  Immediately on the trail you come to various trail junctions.  Dog Mountain is a short and nice hike that heads off to the left.  On the right a trail disappears into the forest heading to Goldie Lake.  Partway up Mount Seymour and you come to the tranquil and idyllic Mystery Lake, perfect for swimming.  From Mystery Lake to the top of Mount Seymour the views get progressively more sweeping.  Finally at the summit you can sit in the sun and squint into the distance in all directions to snow capped mountains, deep blue ocean and of course Vancouver far below.

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Mount Seymour in Mount Seymour Park >>

Mount Elsay is a tough 16k roundtrip hike that takes you beyond Mount Seymour and the crowds into the desolate backcountry of Mount Seymour Provincial Park.  To get to the marked Mount Elsay trail you have to follow the trail to Mount Seymour.  Mount Elsay is a difficult and dangerous trail to hike if you are unprepared or poorly equipped.  The trail is often very difficult and losing the trail is very possible even in good weather.  The trailhead for Mount Seymour (which leads to the Mount Elsay trail) is easy to find once you have reached the main parking lot to Mount Seymour Resort.  To get to the main parking lot simply drive until you come to the end of the road and the end of the final parking lot (you will see ski lifts).  Looking towards the end of this long parking lot you will see a large, round wooden map board (indicated on the map below by the red marker).  Walk along the trees (directly up on the map below).  From here on there are frequent tree markers and signs directing you to Mount Seymour.  Follow this route until you get to the col between Second Peak and Third Peak where the Elsay trail starts.

Why should you hike to Mount Elsay in Vancouver?

Mount Elsay is located in the back of beyond of Mount Seymour.  Well into the wilderness, this challenging trail is tough, rewarding and well off the beaten track.  Don't expect to encounter people after you leave the shadow of Mount Seymour behind.

Vancouver Hiking by Region - Mount Elsay in Mount Seymour Park >>