What Should First Time Hikers Expect in Vancouver?

Date: February 5, 2010

Whether you are visiting Vancouver from abroad or you have lived in the city for years but have never ventured further than the Stanley Park sea wall, there are plenty of outdoor hiking adventures only a short distance from the city center.

This article is intended for people interested in hiking some of the trails in south western British Columbia but are not familiar with the terrain. While there are many tips and recommendations here, this is by no means a complete resource and you should do as much preparation before venturing out into the beautiful wilderness surrounding Vancouver. Being prepared and knowledgeable about the terrain is key to enjoying the many hiking options and beauty scenary BC has to offer.

Safety

The most important thing is safety first. Although you may have driven a car to the start of a trail or your hike may have started near homes and other city-like structures, within an hour from starting your hike, you can be far enough into the backcountry where cell phones no longer work.

Some basic safety tips:

Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Never hike by yourself
Research the area thoroughly
Bring the appropriate supplies, including plenty of water and food.
Be cautious of bears and other wildlife.
Leave enough time to return to the start of the trail before darkness.
Check the weather forecast leading up to your planned hike and be prepared for the weather conditions and changes in weather conditions

View our safety tips for in depth information on how to best prepare yourself for the terrain, hazards, and conditions on the trails around Vancouver.

What To Bring

It is important to wear very comfortable and sturdy footwear on your hikes. Cross trainers or running shoes will be fine on many of the easier trails but some of the longer, more rugged hikes, require some sort of hiking boot. Also, make sure to bring plenty of water and food to snack on throughout the day. Despite looking fresh, the rivers and lakes do not provide safe drinking water so it is important to pack plenty of water for your adventure, particularly during the summer months.

Dress for the weather and be prepared for changes in weather conditions. Pack a light jacket as weather conditions can change quickly and temperatures can be significantly different between valley areas to mountain tops. Bring a cell phone but do not rely on it as many of the trails are outside of the cellular network range.

Finally, bring a map of the area or a GPS device so you can keep track of where you are heading and where you have been.

Physical Fitness

Ensure that your physical fitness is inline with the trail you are planning to hike. All trails have a varying degree of difficulty based on their distance and elevation change and it is important that you are in fairly good physical shape if you are attempting the longer, steeper trails. If you are unsure, start with an easier trail and work your way up to one that is more difficult.

Recommended Hikes

The following are a few suggested hikes:

Visiting Vancouver and have Never Hiked Before

Stanley Park is a great hiking options. It's located in downtown Vancouver but has a network of trails through the forested area that give the feel of the northwest coast. This is a great option for those who have never hiked and are unfamiliar with the terrain around Vancouver as coffee shops and other public facilities are never too far away.

Visiting Vancouver, have done Some hiking, and want to get out and explore

There are quite a few options here, depending on the difficulty level.

Quarry Rock - Located in Deep Cove in North Vancouver, the hike to Quarry Rock is relatively short but has a great view of Indian Arm. There are excellent public transit options to this trail and you can enjoy a coffee in the small town after your hike.
Lynn Headwaters (Lynn Loop or Norvan Falls) - Located near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, there are a series of trails that wander through the scenic forests of the North Shore. Lynn Loop is a short loop that can be completed in about an hour and Norvan Falls is a slightly longer hike that can also be done in conjunction with Lynn Loop. Use the map near the bridge crossing to plan your route. Public buses stop near the entrance to the park.
Buntzen Lake or Diez Vistas - Located east of Vancouver in Port Moody, Buntzen Lake is a popular hiking area that includes the 8km trail around the lake or a series of longer and more difficult trails that venture into the surrounding mountains, such as the Diez Vistas trail. Buses to Buntzen Lake only operate during the summer months.
The Stawamus Chief - Located about an hours drive north of Vancouver in the town of Squamish, the Chief is a fairly steep trail with spectacular views of surrounding area. Planning a hike on the Chief is a great day trip as you may also have time to explore the town of Squamish afterwards before driving back to Vancouver.

Have never Hiked Anything but the Grouse Grind

Try the Stawamus Chief in Squamish. The Chief has a similar elevation gain to the Grouse Grind, maybe not quite as steep, with the advantage of spectacular views of Howe Sound and the surrounding region from the top. There are also three peaks to the Chief, so you can choose to just go to one or add additional distance to your hike by visiting two or all three. The only downside is just that... you have to hike back down the mountain, although you will be happy you did it after enjoying the great view on a clear, sunny day.

I Want to See Something Spectacular

Although there are lots of spectacular hikes throughout south western British Columbia, some of the most scenic hikes are generally some of the most difficult trails. Garibaldi Lake and many of the trails in the area, including Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge, provide some of the most stunning views of the glacial coastal mountains. Joffre Lakes also has very scenic views north of Pemberton but it is a long drive from Vancouver. Mount Cheam in Chilliwack is very spectacular but the road is very rugged and only passable with a heavy duty 4-wheel drive.

If you are attempting any of these above options, make sure to properly prepare by researching the area and being in top physical condition.

Other Resources

Books

There are a number of books with trails information in them. Here are some of the ones we like:

Best Hikes and Walks of Southwestern British Columbia by Dawn Hanna
103 Hikes in South Western British Columbia by Jack Bryceland
Easy Hiking around Vancouver by Jean Cousins

Websites

Of course, Vancouver Trails has plenty of hiking trail information but there is also a very good, active forum on Club Tread and some extensive user-submitted trails on Trail Peak.