Norvan Falls Hiking Trail, Lynn Valley, North Vancouver, BC

Rob Chan from Van writes:

Did this today, only took 3 hours. Was slightly slippery most of the way there.

Posted: January 15, 2012 12:53:44 PM PST

eddy from brotworscht city writes:

Pardon me! 5 hrs for 14 km? Must surely be the one way distance, right? Beautiful scenery though. Hope to get there one day.

Posted: January 10, 2012 06:41:15 PM PST

Irena from Vancouver writes:

This is a great hike for beginners, it is not too challenging because you don't go uphill as much.
Did it November 19. The weather was nice, not a lot of snow, but it was cold so bundle up!

Posted: November 30, 2011 07:06:36 AM PST

Andrea from Port Coquitlam writes:

Hiked this trail on Saturday, Nov. 12/2011. Started the hike in the rain, which turned to snow and ended in a winter wonderland. A lot of mud and water along the trail, so good boots are a must...gaiters too if you have them. Still a great hike.

Not too difficult, but still took us 4.5 hours with a short break for lunch at the falls and the odd photo op. I would do it again. And as the others say, the sign at the beginning says 11 km, but it really is 14-15...keep walking past the 6.5 km sign...you've still got approx 15 mins to go.

One more thing...on the way into the Park, just keep following the signs to Lynn Headwaters Park...that's where you want to be. :-)

Posted: November 15, 2011 12:11:00 PM PST

Marcus from North Vancouver writes:

This hike is great, don't listen to the nay sayer. The falls are beautiful.

Also, do not believe the sign at the entrance to the park. It is NOT 11.8k, it is definitely 14k. The last sign you pass before turning left up Norvan creek (only about 0.3k from there up to the falls) is 7km back to the parking lot. I too was wondering if we had missed the turnoff. I am not sure how such a discrepancy of distance can be posted by the park, it is misleading and potentially could mess up someone's day.

The trail is easy, only a couple of areas where you have to descend into debris chutes and back out. when you get to 6.5km sign you'll know you are close. That is why it's awful that they tell you it's 11.8 - because when you get to 6.5 you think you have gone too far. I guess parks don't do good math (7km * 2 = 14k!!)

Posted: October 10, 2011 11:10:07 PM PST

Mike from Vancouver writes:

I doubt it - it says it's a year round trail with minimal elevation gain. Sounds like a good one.

Posted: August 1, 2011 01:15:14 AM PST

Ashley from Vancouver writes:

Just wondering if there is any snow on the trail.

Thanks!

Posted: July 31, 2011 09:13:19 PM PST

Beverley Hooper from North Vancouver writes:

Great hike to Norvan Falls Saturday June 18th. Super time, 2.5 hours in and out.

Posted: June 20, 2011 10:03:49 AM PST

Mark from Burnaby writes:

Hiked Norvan falls today (June 10th, 2011) for the first time. It's posted everywhere that Norvan falls is an 11.8km hike roundtrip, except on the last sign post along the trail that says the hike is 13km roundtrip. Not a big deal, but when I got to the 6km marker I started wondering if I was on the right trail. Just keep going past the 6km marker and you'll get there. The weather was miserable this morning, but it was still a good hike. The trail is clear for the most part (a few muddy sections). If you decide to take the Headwaters Trail on the way back, just be warned that this trail is NOT like the trail you hiked on the way up. A few steep sections, alot more muddy sections, and a bit more tricky. Also a short, steep switchback section to lead you back to the original trail.

Posted: June 10, 2011 05:07:06 PM PST

Rosanna from Armstrong, BC writes:

Did this hike today (mid May 2011) in great weather! The trail condition was great, only a few muddy patches that are easily avoided and no snow. For myself, I would not rate this as a good scenery hike. It's a nice fast hike in that there are no true hills or switchbacks so it's pretty much on the flat, but Norvan Falls isn't worth the 7 kilometres required to get there. I got more of a thrill out of the scary little suspension bridge than the falls and the scenery at the Third Debris Chute. Do the hike for the hike, not the falls and enjoy the forest. :) There's some really nice variation in the foliage along the trail, especially if you go via Cedar Mills Trail and there are some unique little sections in the trail's substrate, like a few parts where it is made up of corduroy.

This trail is moderate with a few easy stream crossings, but it's not intermediate. There isn't much of a reward at the end, so if you're trying to get your kids into hiking, don't bring them on this one. Take them to Garibaldi or Whistler, where there's more bang for your buck. :)

Posted: May 17, 2011 09:59:34 PM PST

Rob from Vancouver writes:

Did the hike today up to the falls, trail a bit wet but quite nice. Perfect rainy day hike today.

Posted: May 2, 2011 09:08:36 PM PST

Matthew from Vancouver writes:

I did the Norvan hike as recent as Friday, April 22. The trail is now pretty much clear in terms of snow. There is still some snow around Debris Chute but it doesn't prevent you from continuing on to the falls. I'd be a little cautious getting to the top of the falls though as the Coliseum Mtn. trail is still closed.

Happy Hiking!

Posted: April 26, 2011 01:34:41 PM PST

Gregoire from Vancouver writes:

Hi,

i did the trail today (6th of April) and it\'s still snowy and really snowy after 4km (debris chute). But untill Debris chute, the trail is really beautiful.

Awesome website by the way...

Posted: April 6, 2011 07:31:51 PM PST

Peter from Vancouver writes:

I hiked this trail (or part of it) on Sunday, April 20, 2011 and it was virtually impassable beyond Km 4 (debris chute) because of icy snow.

Posted: March 22, 2011 03:02:07 PM PST

Julie from North Vancouver writes:

Does anyone know where the giant Hemlock is? It is supposed to be somewhere on Norvan Creek. Does anyone know more specifically where it is?

Posted: November 16, 2010 10:53:20 PM PST

phil harvey from Santaquin, Ut writes:

Wow, fantastic Pictures and an interesting blog, I have started a Utah hiking blog at Hikling Utah Trails

Posted: August 3, 2010 01:27:15 PM PST

Rich Allen from Salt Lake City, Utah writes:

Nice trail run. Some mud splashing and rock hopping, but overall a great trail to run. Can run it in about 90 minutes round trip.

Posted: April 27, 2010 09:46:52 PM PST

tag2010 from Vancouver writes:

Norvan Falls is a great hike year round. It is well maintained and was in great shape on my last hike - Jan 2010. The lower part (Lynn Loop Trail) is an easy hike and you can always just do that if the weather is not agreeable or if you're running out of daylight. The upper section is a little more challenging but the view of the falls at the top is well worth it. Give yourself 3 hours if you're really chugging along otherwise 5 hours if you're on a more leisurely pace. You'll meet lots of friendly people and dogs on this hike and you'll come home with a great experience.

Posted: February 3, 2010 05:41:28 PM PST

Erin from Vancouver writes:

Walked to the falls on Sunday June 9. No snow! Though lots of the higher trails seemed to be closed still. We started out at Lynn Canyon Park (the bus driver was certain that was where we wanted to be) but it was a nice walk from Lynn Canyon to Lynn Headwaters, so no problem.

Posted: June 10, 2009 09:54:52 AM PST

grace from Vancouver writes:

Went there today, May 2, 2009. It took 5 hours. And this is with heaps of snow on 90% of the trail, which was a lot of work and treacherous at times. The last bit of trail before the falls was dry. Falls were big and beautiful. But if you want to avoid the snow (which I'd recommend) I'd wait till it melts - maybe in July!

Posted: May 2, 2009 05:14:19 PM PST