- Difficulty Easy
- Time 3 hours
- Round-Trip 8km
- Elevation Gain 140 meters
- Season February - November
- Camping No
- From Vancouver 40 minutes
- Public Transit Yes
- Dog Friendly Yes
There are many hiking trails on the North Shore but Two Canyon Loop is one of the few scenic trails that takes you through both Lynn Canyon and the Seymour River Canyon passing waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and scenic views along the way.
From the parking lot, walk east towards the edge and look for the start of a trail. The trail follows alongside a road and then crosses into a widened path that heads into the forest. Almost immediately is a sign with a trail on the left. Go left onto the Homestead Trail and follow the narrow gravel path as it begins its descent into the canyon towards the Seymour River. After about 10 minutes, the trail levels and arrives at another junction with the Seymour River in view ahead. Go right and walk along the path that follows the river towards the Twin Bridges.
After walking along the river for about 10 minutes, you arrive at a tunnel cut into the side of the mountain. This tunnel would be very easy to miss if it were not for the sign on the left side of the trail. This area was heavily logged and many remnants from those days still remain including the tunnel that was used as part of the logging operations.
A short distance further down the river you reach Twin Bridges where only one bridge remains standing next to the pillars of what used to be the other bridge. Cross the river and continue along the trail. This section of the park is popular with mountain bikers and offers some of the most challenging and famous terrain in North America, so be wary of sharing the wide trail with the passing cyclists.
Stay on the wide trail for quite some distance, passing several trail junctions on your left until you reach a junction with the Baden Powell Trail. At this point, go right and walk down the trail to where a few houses come into view. Before the road, go right staying on the gravel trail as it descends steeply towards the pipe bridge that crosses the canyon below. Take in the view of the Seymour River below before embarking up the steep stairs on the other side of the bridge and following the switchbacks uphill, out of the Seymour River Canyon.
As the trail levels, it passes under some power lines and arrives at another junction. Go straight continuing along the Baden Powell Trail to a road. Cross the road where the Baden Powell Trail continues through the forest towards Lynn Creek. At the next junction, again follow the Baden Powell Trail to the right as the trail descends downhill alongside the steep slope before making a final descent down some steps onto raised wooden platforms. Up ahead is an area alongside Lynn Creek that offers a nice view of the second canyon.
Back on the wooden boardwalk, continue walking upstream as the trail follows the creek towards Twin Falls. Not far up ahead, a bridge comes into view that crosses over the canyon and offers a view of the waterfalls below. This is popular with tourists as it is only a short walk from the more popular suspension bridge further upstream. After enjoying the view of Twin Falls, walk back to the side of the river that you came from and continue up the trail as it ascends a series of steps and wanders amongst the forests, before eventually reaching a junction. Go left to the Seymour Suspension Bridge and cross the bridge to the Ecology Centre located on the other side. The centre offers a perfect opportunity for a break and a snack from the cafe.
From the Ecology Centre, it is only a 10-minute walk back to where you began your hike. Cross back over the suspension bridge and return to the junction, this time going left and heading up the gradual hill. After levelling, the trail emerges at a clearing where a ranger station building lies just off to the right. On the other side of this building is the parking lot where you began earlier in the day.
How to get to Two Canyon Loop
Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
40 minutes
To reach the start of the Two Canyon Loop in North Vancouver, take Highway #1 westbound across the Second Narrows Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take the third exit (Exit #22B) and immediately merge with one of the lanes to your left. Drive straight through the traffic lights and up the hill towards Capilano College. Change into the left lane and pass straight through the light. The road will veer to the right and then left again as it passes a cemetery. A short distance later, the road passes through a yellow gate and continues along a section of road with several speed bumps. Continue until you eventually reach a park ranger station and a gravel parking lot on the right.
View a map of Driving directions to Two Canyon Loop.
Transit Access to Two Canyon Loop
If you are taking the bus, you must take a bus to the top of Lynn Valley Road near the start of the trail. Bus #228 travels from the Seabus terminal in North Vancouver to Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Get off the bus near a corner store and walk a short distance beyond the stop sign to a gravel road on the right side. Follow this gravel road downhill where it reaches a wooden bridge that crosses over Lynn Creek. Across the creek and a short distance uphill brings you to the grassy clearing and park ranger station. Walk towards the ranger station, passing it and into the gravel parking lot area. The trail begins on the far side of the parking lot next to the road.
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