Grouse Grind hiking trail, The North Shore

The Grouse Grind is Vancouver's most used trail and is renowned for its challenge in requiring physical strength and endurance in order to make it to the top. In less than 3km, the trail climbs more than 850m. Due to the large number of people that use this trail, primarily for exercise, maintenance workers have had to build wooden stairs on much of the path in order to stop prevent erosion from overuse.

The trail begins just east (right) of the Grouse Mountain gondola in an area with posts to stretch your arms and legs. Walk past the gate and over the small bridge and immediately begin your uphill ascent. The trail levels out until you reach sign at a fork in the trail. Go left at the fork and continue your uphill climb, making your way over rocks, roots, and wooden steps. After 15 minutes or so, you cross a small bridge over a dried up creek. It’s only another 10 minutes to the first quarter mark.

Each quarter mark is clearly shown with large signs and can be a relief or an indication on whether to continue. If you are struggling at the first quarter mark or have run out water, it’s probably a better idea to walk back down than to continue and run into any problems because there is still a long, grueling way to go.

For those continuing, the trail weaves its way uphill over more wooden steps. The third quarter is the steepest with the trail traversing over rock in some sections. The fourth quarter is also quite steep with some sections containing very large steps. Keep going, you’re almost there.

Once at the top, you have earned bragging rights to saying you have completed “The Grind”. Walk towards the Grouse Mountain chalet and up the stairs to the entrance. Just inside, you can buy your ticket for the Gondola ride before heading back down, having a beer at the bar, or wandering around the top of Grouse to check out the events or scenery.

How to get to Grouse Grind

Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver: 30 minutes

The Grouse Grind trail starts from the parking lot at the base of Grouse Mountain.

From Downtown

Drive westbound along Georgia Street and continue along the Stanley Park causeway and across the Lions Gate Bridge. Right after crossing the bridge, take the right-hand turn off to North Vancouver and immediately change lanes into one of the furthest left two lanes. At the first set of lights, the left two lanes turn right onto Capilano Road. Following Capilano Road as it continues northbound, passing the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Capilano Dam until it ends up in the Grouse Mountain parking lot.

From Highway #1

Take the Trans Canada Highway (highway #1) westbound across the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge (Second Narrows Bridge) to North Vancouver and take the Capilano Road exit. Turn right onto Capilano Road and head northbound until it ends up in the Grouse Mountain parking lot.

View a map of Driving directions to Grouse Grind.