Baden Powell Trail

The Lower Mainland has numerous amazing places for hiking, including some of the best hiking trails in the world on the North Shore.

Vancouver’s Best Places for Hiking

There are many fabulous hiking venues to choose from in the Lower Mainland, but below are some of the best, in our opinion. First though is a video showing the Baden Powell Trail on Vancouver’s North Shore (between Mount Seymour Provincial Park and Deep Cove).

Hiking on the North Shore

Baden Powell Trail – over 40 kilometres of hiking trails from West Vancouver to North Vancouver across the mountains. Especially interesting for all levels (but not really small children) is the section from Deep Cove to Quarry Rock.
Capilano River Regional Park – fairly easy trails from the Cleveland Dam down to a salmon hatchery and back, or all the way down to the ocean for people wanting a much longer walk.
Cypress Falls Park – a park in West Vancouver with a 3.5-kilometre hike that goes past large old growth trees and four different waterfalls.
Goat Mountain – almost a nine kilometres round trip that begins from the top of Grouse Mountain. The peak offers panoramic views of the city, ocean and an endless mountain range.
Grouse Grind – a famous, popular and grueling hike up hundreds of stairs from the bottom of Grouse Mountain to the top.
Inter River Park – a park near Capilano University with flat level trails as well as a route with steps and an incline that connects with Lynn Canyon Park.
Lighthouse Park – a rugged ocean-side park with rocky shores and views of Vancouver. A nice place for a shorter walk.
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) – a great park in North Vancouver and home to beautiful Rice Lake.

Conservation Path to Rice Lake — LSCR Path to Rice Lake

Lynn Canyon Park – nature with extensive trails, lots of stairs and a free suspension bridge!
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – great hiking trails in nature, for both beginners and experts.
Mount Seymour Provincial Park – the park where Mt. Seymour ski resort is located is also home to hiking and mountain biking trails in the spring, summer and fall.
Rice Lake – a nice place for walking and fishing in a beautiful setting in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

Hiking Near the City of Vancouver

Burnaby Mountain – a park in Burnaby with walking trails and views of Vancouver and the North Shore mountains.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park – some of the best forested trails within the City of Vancouver itself.
Stanley Park – veer off the seawall and you’ll find some amazing trails through the forest.

Stawamus Chief Peak 1 — The Stawamus Chief

Hiking in the Sea to Sky Region

Alice Lake – a lake with nice, fairly level trails near Squamish.
Murrin Park – a provincial park near Squamish with a small lake and rock-climbing opportunities.
Stawamus Chief – for mountain climbing and more serious hikes.
Sea to Sky Gondola – people can hike all the way up to the attraction and then take the gondola back down, or take the ride both ways and simply hike around at the top. There are also exceptional trails into the backcountry.

Click Sea to Sky to learn more about the region.

Other Places to Hike in the Lower Mainland

Golden Ears Provincial Park – location of Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge.
Sasquatch Provincial Park – a forested park with a number of lakes near Harrison Hot Springs.
Fort to Fort Trail – connecting Derby Reach Park with Fort Langley, it’s not so much a hiking trail as a really nice place for leisurely walks and bike rides. Some parts are paved while others are gravel.
Kanaka Creek – there are some nice trails at Kanaka Creek Park in Maple Ridge, including down by the Fraser River and up near Cliff Falls. The first area is all very flat. The second has its ups and downs, but isn’t that strenuous either.
Minnekhada Regional Park – a park in Coquitlam with level walking trails as well as fairly easy hiking trails up smaller hills.

For a list of places to enjoy both nature and refreshments and where dogs can join too, see our article about Maple Ridge Dog-Friendly Parks and Patio Restaurants.