Summer is the best time to hike in Vancouver’s mountains since they are snow-free. Take advantage of the good weather by heading up to the peaks to enjoy beautiful views. Add one of these Vancouver summer hikes to your bucket list.
Safety First
AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.
The trails on this list are best hiked between July and September. At other times of the year, they will be snowy and can be dangerous.
Mount Seymour, North Vancouver
Did you know Mount Seymour actually has three summits? They all have great views of Vancouver to the south and the Coast Mountain range to the north. The trail is rugged with some steep climbs near the end so wear good hiking boots. Use our Mount Seymour hiking guide to stay on track.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 9 km round trip / 450 m elevation gain / 5 hours
Goat Mountain, North Vancouver
Ride the Skyride up to the top of Grouse Mountain, then hike into the quiet backcountry. The trail to Goat Mountain is rough with lots of rocks and roots. It leads up into the alpine, then skirts along the shoulders of Dam and Little Goat Mountains. The final push to the summit is a steep scramble up a rocky bluff. From the top, you’ll get incredible views of the North Shore Mountains and Burrard Inlet. Use the Lynn Headwaters Park map to plan your route.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 8 km round trip / 300 m elevation gain / 4 hours
Eagle Bluff, West Vancouver
From Eagle Bluff, you’ll have a panoramic view of Vancouver and the eastern suburbs. On a clear day, you can even see the peaks of Vancouver Island. The trail starts near the Cypress Mountain ski lodge. It climbs steeply up to a plateau near the summit of Black Mountain. You’ll descend past some little lakes and then emerge on the granite of Eagle Bluff. Bring the Cypress Provincial Park Map to find your way.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 8 km round trip / 350 m elevation gain / 4 hours
St. Mark’s Summit, West Vancouver
The trail to St. Mark’s Summit in Cypress Provincial Park gets progressively rougher as you hike, with lots of roots and rocks underfoot. But the payoff is truly epic: you’ll finish on a rocky outcropping that seems to plunge straight down into Howe Sound. There are several viewpoints to explore, but be careful as the drop-offs are sheer. Get directions.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 11 km round trip / 460 m elevation gain / 5 hours
Al’s Habrich Ridge, Squamish
Scramble across granite slabs (sometimes with the help of ropes) on Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail. This hike sits in the quiet backcountry above the Sea to Sky Gondola so it’s a good place to escape the crowds. You don’t need to make it to the top to enjoy incredible views – you can gaze down at Howe Sound from numerous viewpoints along the way. Get directions.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 8.5 km round trip / 340 m elevatin gain / 4 hours
Garibaldi Lake, Squamish
EThe gorgeous turquoise blue water of Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park is a magnet for hikers. It’s a gorgeous spot, made even better by the snow-capped mountains around it. If you have extra energy, add on a trip to Taylor Meadows to see the wildflowers in late July and early August. Get directions. (Heads up: This hike currently requires a day pass.)
Trail Stats: Moderate / 18 km round trip / 820 m elevation gain / 5 hours
Elk Mountain, Chilliwack
The steep trail to Chilliwack’s Elk Mountain is primarily in the forest. But the effort to get to the summit is worth it – you’ll enjoy incredible views of the surrounding mountains and Chilliwack farmland. And the ridge stretching from the summit of Elk Mountain to nearby Mount Thurston is covered in gorgeous wildflowers in July and early August. Get directions.
Trail Stats: Moderate / 8 km round trip / 770 m elevation gain / 4 hours
Planning your next hike?
A new book, Destination Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, features 55 scenic hikes near Vancouver.
Authored by Stephen Hui, the bestselling author of 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, Destination Hikes highlights trails to waterfalls, swimming holes, mountain peaks, and more.
Find out more at 105hikes.com.
By TARYN EYTON
Source Inside Vancouver
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