One of the things I loved most about living in Vancouver was how quickly you could get out into nature. In under an hour, you can go from the city to hiking through a forest, or standing on top of a mountain looking out over the coastline.
From shorter trails to more challenging summit climbs, these are some of my favourite hikes near Vancouver. Most of these sit in the easy to moderate range, so you don’t need much experience to do them.
Most of these are within 30–90 minutes of the city, making them easy to do on a weekend or to add to any Vancouver itinerary. If you’re spending more time in the city, I’ve also shared a 3 day Vancouver itinerary.
St Mark’s Summit, Cypress Provincial Park
One of the first hikes we did around Vancouver, and still one of my favourites. It’s a steady climb through the forest before the views open up, overlooking Howe Sound.
It’s definitely more on the moderate side, but the views at the top make it worth the effort. It took around 4 hours to complete, including time spent at the summit, taking in the views. Make sure to pack bear spray, as bears often move through the area, and a head torch if you’re planning to hike up for sunset.
Length: 10.5 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~567 m | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~30 mins
Mount Strachan, Cypress Mountain
Mount Strachan gets less attention than St Mark’s, but the views are just as impressive and with fewer people. From the summit, you get views of Howe Sound and the iconic Lions.
We actually cheated a little and took the gondola up, which made it a much more relaxed experience. Cypress Mountain has introduced a Sunset Scenic Ride chairlift experience. In August, every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Lions Chair and Sky Chair are open until 8:45pm. When we went, there was live music at the top, and it was such a beautiful spot to sit and watch the sun go down.
If you’re hiking it, expect a steady climb with a decent amount of elevation gain.
Length: ~7.1 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~568 m | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~30 mins
Hollyburn Peak, Cypress Provincial Park
Hollyburn Peak is a great option in both summer and winter. The trail takes you through the forest, before opening up to views over Vancouver, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains.
We did this hike in winter for sunset, and it ended up being more challenging than expected. The last half of the trail is quite steep, and the snow makes it pretty slippery. Make sure you bring microspikes if you’re doing this trail in winter.
Length: ~8 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~432 m | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~30 mins
Cypress Mountain Cabins, Cypress Mountain
This is one of the more unique hikes near Vancouver, leading to a collection of rustic backcountry cabins tucked into the mountains.
The hike itself is relatively short, making it a good option if you want something a little different without a big climb. In winter, the cabins are covered in snow and feel straight out of a fairy tale. They’re privately owned, so be mindful of the area and respect people’s privacy when visiting.
Length: ~5km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~200m | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~30 mins
Dog Mountain, Mount Seymour
Dog Mountain is considered an easy hike, but the trail is quite rooty and uneven in sections. It’s still short and manageable, but you’ll want proper footwear rather than treating it like a flat walk.
The trail winds through forest leading to a panoramic view over Vancouver, Burrard Inlet and the surrounding mountains. It’s one of the best options if you’re after a good view without committing to a long hike. It’s also dog friendly, so you can bring your four legged friend along.
You can do this hike year round, and it’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
Length: ~5 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~150 m | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~30–40 mins
Murrin Loop, Squamish
Just outside of Squamish, Murrin Loop is a short hike that leads to a beautiful viewpoint over Howe Sound.
It’s a good option if you’re driving the Sea to Sky Highway and want to stretch your legs without committing to a longer hike. Although it’s a quick hike, there’s a short scramble towards the end, but it’s nothing too difficult.
Length: ~2 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~160 m | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~45 mins
Slhanay Peak, Squamish
Slhanay Peak is a great option if you’re after a summit hike near Squamish with incredible views over Howe Sound.
The trail climbs steadily through forest before it breaks out at the top, looking out over Squamish and the surrounding mountains.
The signage becomes less clear in the second half of the trail, so it’s worth downloading a map beforehand. We ended up getting a bit lost and had to backtrack. We visited in autumn, and the clouds rolled in just as we reached the viewpoint, so we didn’t get to spend long up there.
Length: ~8.5km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~650 m | Difficulty: Moderate–Hard | Distance from Vancouver: ~1 hr
Lindeman Lake, Chilliwack
This is one of the most popular hikes in the Chilliwack area. We visited Lindeman Lake in autumn, and the contrast of the orange and yellow leaves against the bright turquoise water was incredible.
You can also camp here, which we did. The sites are first come, first served, and we didn’t manage to get a tent pad, but there are plenty of dirt spots to set up.
If you’re planning to camp, you’ll need a backcountry camping pass for Lindeman Lake, which can be booked up to 3 months in advance.
The trail itself is short at around 3.6 km return, but it’s uphill most of the way and can feel quite tough, especially if you’re carrying a pack.
Length: ~3.6 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~300 m | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Distance from Vancouver: ~2 hrs
Elk Mountain, Chilliwack
Elk Mountain is easily one of the tougher hikes on this list. It’s essentially uphill the entire way, and just when you think you’re at the top, it keeps going.
The climb is consistent and feels pretty relentless, but once you break out of the forest, the views open up over the Fraser Valley.
When we hiked here in summer there were wildfires in the area, which meant the views were quite hazy.
Length: ~8.7 km roundtrip | Elevation Gain: ~800 m | Difficulty: Hard | Distance from Vancouver: ~2 hrs
More on my list
There are so many hikes around Vancouver that it’s impossible to fit them all in. These are a few that are still on my list for next time.
Wedgemount Lake
Known as one of the best hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. From what I’ve heard, it’s a tough hike but well worth it. We actually had permits to camp here, but got sick and the weather took a turn, so we decided to give this one a miss.
Joffre Lakes
One of the most well known hikes near Vancouver, with a series of stunning, turquoise blue, glacier fed lakes along the trail. It’s especially popular in summer, but also completely different in winter when it turns into a snowy landscape.
Watersprite Lake
An alpine lake surrounded by mountains, with really clear blue water. It’s a bit more off the beaten path, and I’ve heard you’ll need a 4WD to get to the trailhead.
Stawamus Chief
One of the most iconic hikes near Squamish, with steep sections, ladders, and big views at the top.
Flora Peak
A popular hike in the Chilliwack area with a steady climb to the summit and alpine views at the top.
Panorama Ridge
Panorama Ridge is known for some of the best views in the area, overlooking Garibaldi Lake and the surrounding mountains. It’s a long day, and often done as an overnight trip. We had planned to do this as well, but it would have been our first backcountry trip and the weather wasn’t on our side, so we decided not to risk it.
Mount Brunswick
A challenging hike along the Sea to Sky corridor with a lot of elevation gain and big views at the top. It’s known as one of the tougher day hikes in the area, and the highest point in Vancouver’s North Shore mountains.
Getting there
Renting a car is the easiest way to explore, as many of these trailheads are outside of the city.
Some locations can be reached by public transport, though it usually requires a bit more planning, or a combination of buses and rideshare.
When to visit
The best time to hike around Vancouver is from late spring through early autumn, when trails are dry and conditions are more predictable.
A number of these hikes can also be done in winter, particularly Dog Mountain, Hollyburn Peak, and the Cypress Mountain area, which become popular snowshoe or winter hiking trails. These offer a completely different experience, with snow covered forests and alpine views.
If you’re heading out in winter, it’s important to check trail conditions and come prepared with appropriate gear, such as microspikes or snowshoes depending on the terrain.
You can usually access lower elevation hikes like Murrin Loop year round, though conditions can vary after heavy rain or cold snaps.
Whether you’re after a shorter trail or a more challenging climb, Vancouver has no shortage of hiking options. It’s one of the easiest places to get outside, even if you only have a few hours.
If you’re after something a bit easier, I’ve also shared a guide to easy trails near Vancouver.
If you’re heading further along the Sea to Sky Highway, you might also want to check out my guides to How to spend a summer weekend in Whistler or 7 Things to do in Whistler this Winter.
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