• Difficulty Intermediate
  • Time 4 hours
  • Round-Trip 8km
  • Elevation Gain 300 meters
  • Season July - October
  • Camping No
  • From Vancouver 30 minutes
  • Public Transit Yes
  • Dog Friendly No

Goat Mountain is a picturesque hike that starts from the top of the Grouse Mountain Ski Resort. On a sunny, clear day, the top of Goat Mountain can offer views of Vancouver and even as far away as Mount Baker, Vancouver Island, and some of the mountain ranges in Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish.

From the top of the Grouse Mountain Skyride, follow the paved path, going left towards the Peak chairlift, the highest ski run that is visible in the distance. The paved path will pass the logging show area and grizzly bear pen before becoming a gravel pathway. Veer to the left as the path begins to gradually ascend, with a rocky mountainside on the right and a cliff with a view down towards the Capilano Watershed on the left.

After walking for 15 minutes, you arrive at a wooden sign on a board that has trail maps of the area. Continue past the sign and up the steep rocky slope as the trail goes through a few short switchbacks before reaching the Dam Mountain junction. At the sign, go right towards Goat Mountain and continue walking along the trail as it levels slightly. As you continue your hike, look to your right at the scenic view of the mountains and the occasional glimpse of Kennedy Lake below.

The trail eventually arrives at another sign, which points to the right in the direction of Goat Mountain. Walk down the hill and a few minutes later, you arrive at yet another junction. Go straight, following the clearly marked route. On your left, the jagged peak of Crown Mountain stands high above while up ahead you begin to see the rounded shape of Goat Mountain.

After a relatively flat stretch of trail, you arrive at a steep section with a rope and chain to help pull yourself up and over the tree routes. Continue to the right as the trail wraps around Goat Mountain before reaching a sign that leads to Goat Ridge off to the right. A short side trip to Goat Ridge offers a different view down towards the Hanes Valley.

The last stretch of Goat Mountain is steep, however it only take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Make your way up the steep slope in the final scramble onto the peak to witness the full panoramic view. Walk around the top and find the perfect spot to enjoy the view while you eat your lunch.

After enjoying the scenery, head back towards the orange markers and make your way down the steep section and back onto the trail. Follow the route you took, passing the clearly marked signs heading back towards Grouse Mountain.


The surrounding view from Goat Mountain, near Grouse Mountain.



How to get to Goat Mountain

Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
30 minutes

The trail to Goat Mountain begins from the top of Grouse Mountain Ski Resort. You can either choose to hike the Grouse Grind first or pay to take the Skyride to the top. To reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot, follow the directions below:

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 onto Capilano Road. Follow 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 Goat Mountain.

Transit Access to Goat Mountain

Goat Mountain starts from the top of Grouse Mountain. For those downtown, take the Seabus across to North Vancouver and at the Lonsdale Quay bus loop, take bus #236 to Grouse Mountain. People travelling from East Vancouver or Burnaby may find it easier to take a bus to the Phibbs Exchange bus loop in North Vancouver and then take bus #232 to Grouse Mountain.

Note: Although the bus will take you to the base of Grouse Mountain, you still must buy a ticket to take the Skyride to the top where the trail to Goat Mountain begins. The other option is to hike up the steep Grouse Grind.

Traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) and šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam).
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Additional Info

Camping at Goat Mountain

Camping is not permitted at Goat Mountain.

Dogs at Goat Mountain

Dogs are allowed at Goat Mountain, however not recommended because dogs are not allowed at Grouse Mountain. This means hikers with dogs must take the route from Lynn Valley up through the Hanes Valley and return the same way. This is a long hike through the backcountry and maybe too strenuous for pets. Hence, Goat Mountain is not a recommended hike to take your dog on.

Toilets at Goat Mountain

There are washroom facilities around Grouse Mountain resort but none along the trail to Goat Mountain.

Dogs, Toilets and Camping

Although we try to keep information as current as possible, www.vancouvertrails.com makes no warranty or representation as to the availability, quality, fitness for purpose, conditions or accuracy of the information provided with respect to this trail or trails. The information provided herein is further subject to our Terms of Use.