- Difficulty Easy
- Time 1 hour
- Round-Trip 2.5km
- Elevation Gain 105 meters
- Season year-round
- Camping No
- From Vancouver 45 minutes to ferry
- Public Transit Yes
- Dog Friendly On-Leash
Located in Crippen Regional Park on Bowen Island, the trail to Dorman Point is a short walk from the Snug Cove ferry terminal to a beautiful viewpoint looking out into Howe Sound. The view from the highest point at Dorman Point is obstructed by trees but a better view can be enjoyed from a short trail, downhill to the right.
This is a fairly quick hike, so if you're planning to spend the day on Bowen Island, you might like to combine this route with another one to Killarney Lake or the longer hike up Mount Gardner. Although the trail is short, it does have a couple of steep sections, so good footwear is a must.
From the Snug Cove ferry terminal, follow a wooden board walk path to the left as it heads away from the small community. Cross a wooden bridge and pass by the large field and picnic area as you follow the trail and enter the forest at the other side. Just after entering the forest, go left at a junction where there is a sign pointing to Dorman Point.
The trail climbs gradually for a bit before turning to the right and becoming steeper as it makes its way up through a series of switchbacks. When the trail arrives at a road, go left and walk past the park sign up the hill. This is the steepest section of trail but it's quite short. Soon the trail levels out and you reach the highest point at Dorman Point.
The trees have grown over the years and block much of the view from here. Continue by walking to the right, over the rocks and looking for a path along the dirt that heads downhill. Follow the path as you carefully make your way down some rocks and within a couple of minutes you arrive at a clearing with a scenic view of Howe Sound that looks down towards Dorman Bay.
Return to Snug Cove the same route that you took, making sure to go right at the road and back down the trail.
How to get to Dorman Point
Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
45 minutes to ferry
The trail to Dorman Point is located on Bowen Island and begins almost next to the ferry terminal at Snug Cove. About 50-meters from the ferry, look for a wooden boardwalk on the left that heads off in a diagonal direction.
To reach Bowen Island from downtown Vancouver, drive to Highway #1 and head west bound towards Horseshoe Bay. As you approach, watch for signs to Horseshoe Bay Village and follow those signs in the lane that heads to the small community.
There are a couple of pay parking lots in Horseshoe Bay where you can pay by the hour or for the entire day. Parking and walking on the ferry is a cheaper option than taking your car over to the island.
View a map of Driving directions to Dorman Point.
Transit Access to Dorman Point
From downtown Vancouver, take either bus #257 (express) or #250 to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. Once at Horseshoe Bay, purchase a ferry ticket and walk onto the Bowen Island Ferry to Snug Cove. The trail begins close to the ferry terminal on Bowen Island.
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