Hope Lookout Trail

The Hope Lookout Trail is a steep hiking route that begins next to Highway #1 and climbs to a rocky area that overlooks the town, offering an incredible view of the Fraser River and surround area. Sometimes referred to as Hope's Grouse Grind, the trail is a fairly steep climb and, after the beginning section, is mostly in the trees and sheltered from the hot summer sun.

From the map kiosk, pass by the gate and follow the wide road uphill until it reaches a switchback, then veer right and continue uphill. Watch for a trail on your left that goes steep uphill and follow that trail. Do not continue straight through the fenced area towards the water tower as you will have missed where you need to turn left.

Hike up the steep, open hill until the trail veers right and enters the forest. Continue ascending where the trail occasionally meets a mountain biking trail but stay on the hiking route. The trail reaches a junction next to a bench, go right and continue up the wooden stairs as you make your way through the beautiful forest.

Not much further and you reach another junction with the Joan Greenway Trail. Go right to the Hope Lookout and follow the trail as it now begins to really gain elevation through a number of switchbacks and wooden stairs. Pass a viewpoint to the right that looks down towards the highway and the town of Hope before continuing up another set of wooden steps.

Eventually, the trail exits the forest onto a rocky slide area where you start to see the view of Hope and the surrounding region. Continue following the well worn path out onto the rocks, passing a couple of benches until you reach one near the far end of the slide. This point offers the best view as you can see the Fraser River, the town of Hope, and the traffic passing by on the highways below.

Once you have enjoyed the view, head back across the rocks and follow the trail into the forest, carefully descending. There are some loose dirt sections that can be slippery, so be mindful of your step.

Further down the trail when you reach the junction with the Joan Greenway Trail, you can add an extra extension onto your hiking by going right and following this trail through a section of forest. If you do follow this route, walk up the hill to a junction with a shared bike path, then go left following the trail. It will come to a second junction, then go left down the hill, past a mountain bike jump where the trail rejoins the hiking trail. Go right at the junction to follow the route you originally hiked up and continue downhill, eventually leaving the forest and following the wide route back down to where you began.