You don’t need to wait for the summer to get outside and enjoy some incredible hikes. Panoramic lookouts, waterfalls, canyons, and forests can all be explored at elevations below the snow-line. We’ve compiled a list of great spring hikes near Vancouver to get you started.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the spring hikes around Vancouver. It’s a collection of our 14 favorites. Hopefully you’ll find some new ideas for spring hikes to tackle while the weather is warming up.
A word to the wise before we begin. Safety is always the most important consideration when hiking. As snowfall is unpredictable, it is possible that snow may persist on some of these trails into the spring, or they may be icy. Even though it’s spring, the higher mountains will still have plenty of snow – and avalanche risk. Even with daylight savings time, it still gets dark earlier than in the summer. And it is still cold. Especially in the forests, or on shaded portions of mountains. Dress and prepare accordingly. MicroSpikes or Trail Crampons are a good idea to carry. Make sure to know the trail conditions before you head out, follow common sense and standard safety practices, and always carry the Ten Essentials.
Now, let’s look at the hikes!
The 14 hikes
Vancouver Island and Howe Sound
3 hikes
1. Ammonite Falls
01
Moderate5 km30 m gain2 h
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Nanaimo
Time needed:
2 Hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes, on leash
Details: Ammonite Falls is an easy-to-moderately difficult hike near Nanaimo. The waterfall itself lies within Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, though the hike starts outside the park boundaries.
Along the hike the Ammonite Falls, you can enjoy the beautiful forest of massive fir trees. Spring is the perfect time of year to visit Ammonite Falls, as during the late summer, the falls may be little more than a slow trickle.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Bowen Island
Time needed:
4 – 5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: A short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island is a great place to escape the city for a day.
Mount Gardner provides views of Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and the Howe Sound islands. There are plenty of trails on the mountain and the hike can be completed in a loop. Mount Gardner is a very enjoyable hike with great scenery and views.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Ruckle Park, Salt Spring Island
Time needed:
4 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes, on leash
Details: Yeo Point is a terrific hike in Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island. The Yeo Point Trail takes you through old-growth forest before reaching the ocean and a nice beach. Yeo Point is a spectacular rocky outcrop with arbutus trees overlooking the ocean.
The trail is roughly 10 km and is suitable for children. The trail is relatively flat, and while long in distance, is otherwise easy.
If you’re visiting Salt Spring Island, Yeo Point is a great spring hike.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Squamish
Time needed:
3 – 5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: The Stawamus Chief is one of the busiest trails near Vancouver. For this reason, it’s a great hike to do in the spring and fall when the crowds are fewer. Even on a rainy day, this is a hike that never disappoints. 3 different peaks to climb keep things varied and interesting on return visits.
The Stawamus Chief gets snow during the winter, but not as much as some of the other nearby mountains. The summit is usually free of snow in the early spring, making this a great warm-up hike for the summer months ahead.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Lions Bay
Time needed:
4 – 5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Tunnel Bluffs is a hike along the Sea to Sky highway. Near Lions Bay, The Tunnel Point Trail up to Tunnel Bluffs is steep and difficult. But there are several beautiful viewpoints along the way to keep you motivated. From Tunnel Bluffs, you have an unbeatable view of Howe Sound and its many islands.
The entire hike can be completed in about 4 to 5 hours.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
West Vancouver
Time needed:
2 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Lighthouse Park is a beautiful strand of old-growth forest in West Vancouver. It home to some of the largest trees remaining on the North Shore. There are plenty of trails in Lighthouse Park. It is a great location for a family outing on a sunny or a rainy day. From the shore you have fantastic views of the Salish Sea, downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park.
Lighthouse Park is home to an impressive lighthouse built in 1912, which sits on Point Atkinson.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
West Vancouver
Time needed:
2 Hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Cypress Falls Park is a lesser known, yet impressive area of forest in West Vancouver. Similar to Lighthouse Park, you’ll find some truly massive trees here.
Cypress Falls Park sits at a low elevation and is accessible year-round, It is a great hike to save for an overcast or rainy day. There are two falls within the park. The lower falls are a short 15 minute walk from the parking lot – great for a walk with little kids. The upper falls require a bit more navigation but are well worth the effort.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
North Vancouver
Time needed:
1 hour
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Twin Falls is a popular hike year-round in North Vancouver. The trail crosses over the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. The trail follows Lynn Creek down to a vantage point of the beautiful Twin Falls.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Deep Cove, North Vancouver
Time needed:
2 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Quarry Rock is one of the most popular hikes on the North Shore. The summer crowds can be large on this trail, making the spring a great time to cross it off your list, when there are fewer people out. (It will still be busy, just less so than the summer).
The trail is 1.9 km up to an overlook of the Indian Arm and Deep Cove. A great picnic spot with an incredibly rewarding view for a relatively easy hike.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Buntzen Lake, Anmore
Time needed:
6 – 7 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes, on leash
Details: The Sendero Diez Vistas Trail will take you on a challenging trek all the way around Buntzen Lake. The trail goes up and along a steep ridge on the west side of Buntzen Lake. The trail loops around the lake and follows a flat path around the lake’s east-side. In addition to the scenery of the lake, there are ten breathtaking views provided along the ridge of the trail looking overlooking the North Shore, Burrard Inlet, and the Indian Arm.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Coquitlam
Time needed:
2.5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes, on leash
Details: The hike to High Knoll is located within Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam.
There are many trails to explore throughout Minnekhada Park. The main trails are the Quarry Trail, Mid-Marsh Trail, Lodge Trail and the Fern Trail.
The hike up to High Knoll provides an incredibly rewarding view of the Fraser River and Fraser Valley. There is also a marsh, rich with wildlife, located in the middle of the park.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Maple Ridge
Time needed:
2 Hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge is another great park with many easy walking trails. Kanaka Creek Park is large and has several entrances but the most popular is near Cliff Falls.
Bridges over the serene Kanaka Creek and a peaceful forest make this park a gem. Cliff Falls and the Bell-Irving Hatchery are icing on the cake.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Time needed:
2 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Lindeman Lake is a gorgeous, turquoise lake in Chilliwack. Popular for camping in the summer, Lindeman Lake is worth visiting anytime the trail is snow-free. It’s a long drive for a short hike, but oh-so-worth-it.
This one might be better left until late spring because snow can persist here longer than the other hikes in this list.
The OV Rating is our subjective rating of how much we liked each of the hiking trails based on four factors: The variety of the terrain, the views, how crowded the trail is, and an overall ‘fun’ factor.
Usual season only. Check current conditions before you go.
Where:
Mission
Time needed:
30 minutes
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Cascade Falls is a very short ‘hike’ (more like a quick walk), but well worth the trek out to Mission. A short trail with wooden stairs takes you up to a suspension bridge and lookout over the scenic falls.
Really in depth and knowledgeable article for anyone looking for some spring and even summer/fall hikes in the area. One of our favourites is twin falls – such a beautiful hike!
Matt Thompson —
Really in depth and knowledgeable article for anyone looking for some spring and even summer/fall hikes in the area. One of our favourites is twin falls – such a beautiful hike!