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Stroller Trails around Vancouver
Going out for walks in nature is the perfect family activity. Getting outside is equally beneficial for babies and toddlers as it is for parents.
For parents, it’s a chance to get some exercise and recharge in nature. Young children tend to love the sights, sounds, and scents of nature. Babies also tend to sleep well in the fresh, open air. In this post we highlight some of our favorite trails that allow parents to get out into nature, while bringing a stroller along for the trip.
The hikes we’ve listed below are our favorite hikes suitable for strollers, from Whistler to Hope. All these Vancouver stroller hikes share a few characteristics:
- They are all on the shorter side (they can mostly be completed in under 2 hours).
- They are mostly easily accessible from a paved parking lot, and most are transit-friendly.
- The trails are gravel or groomed enough that they should be suitable for most jogging / off-road strollers.
An important note on strollers: While these trails can be negotiated by strollers, some trails are more rugged than others. We recommend having a three-wheel jogging or off-road stroller for these trails. The larger the wheels, the better, as this will make for a smoother ride for your little one. Umbrella strollers won’t do well on these trails.
And even though these are easier trails, suitable for strollers, please prepare as you would for any hike, and take all the regular safety precautions.
Now, with that aside, let’s look at these stroller-friendly walks!
Sea to Sky
1. Lost Lake
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 1 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes (not permitted on the beach)
Details: There are plenty of scenic trails in Lost Lake Park, and the vast majority are stroller friendly. Starting from Whistler Village and walking around the entire lake is a roughly 5 km, enjoyable walk.
Link: Read more here.
2. Brandywine Falls
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 30 minutes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: File this one under ‘pictures don’t do it justice’. Brandywine Falls is a true gem. A quick, 15 minute walk from the parking lot in Brandywine Falls Provincial Falls Park takes you to a viewing platform of the falls. The trail is closed during the winter, but during the summer, the trail to the waterfall is wide and well-groomed.
Link: Read more here.
3. Four Lakes Trail
Where: Squamish
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: The Four Lakes Loop is a popular hike for those camping in Alice Lake Provincial Park, in Squamish. The trail is about 6 km so it may be a little be further than most would like to go with a stroller. However, it is doable, and the scenic trail meanders through the forest and past 4 different small lakes.
Link: Read more here.
4. Browning Lake Trail
Where: Murrin Provincial Park, Squamish
Time needed: 30 minutes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes (not permitted on the beach)
Details: Located in Murrin Provincial Park in Squamish, Browning Lake is a small lake with a trail around it’s perimeter. While not the most exciting trail, there is a nice beach also so it can be a nice spot to have a picnic and go for a short walk. If you’re looking for something more exciting in Murrin Park, check out the Jurassic Ridge Loop (no doable with a stroller).
Link: Read more here.
5. Sea to Sky Gondola
Where: Squamish
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: The Sea to Sky Gondola offers amazing views of Howe Sound without the effort of hiking up the mountain. For strollers, the Panorama Trail and Spirit Trail are accessible.
Link: Read more here.
A Starter’s Guide to Hiking in Vancouver.
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Metro Vancouver
6. Capilano River Regional Park
Where: West Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Capilano River Regional Park offers something for everyone. There are many different trails within the park, so you can meander ‘choose-your-own-adventure’. The massive trees are something to behold, and the flow of water over the Cleveland Dam is always a spectacle. The salmon hatchery is educational and fun for kids and adults alike. One will discover something new every time they walk through this beautiful park.
Link: Read more here.
7. Lighthouse Park
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
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.
Link: Read more here.
8. Maplewood Flats
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Whyte Lake is an easy hike starting from a small parking area just off Highway 1 in North Vancouver. The lake is small but pretty, and the hike in through the forest is always enjoyable.
Link: Read more here.
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9. Rice Lake
Where: Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: The quiet and peaceful loop around the lake takes about 1 hour at a leisurely pace and is great for family outings. The trail around the lake is stroller-friendly, with little elevation gain or loss.
Link: Read more here.
10. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Where: Vancouver
Time needed: 1 – 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Located near UBC, the Pacific Spirit Regional Park comprises and area of more than 750 hectares of beautiful forest. The area is popular for walking and jogging year-round. There are numerous trails throughout the park to explore, and you can choose a route to your liking.
Link: Read more here.
11. Burnaby Lake
Where: Burnaby
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Burnaby Lake is a scenic area, offering a flat, 10 km loop. The area is rich with countless varieties of birds, and is a great place for a walk any time of year.
Link: Read more here.
12. Colony Farm
Where: Port Coquitlam
Time needed: 1 – 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Colony Farm Regional Park is a popular place for walking, cycling, jogging, and birding. The park lies within both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. The trails are flat, and there is plenty of wildlife to keep young children engaged.
Link: Read more here.
Fraser Valley & East
13. Gold Creek Falls
Where: Golden Ears Provincial Park, Maple Ridge
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on leash
Details: The Lower Falls Trail is a popular hike within Golden Ears Provincial Park, which takes you to Gold Creek Falls. The beautiful forest of Golden Ears makes for a pleasant walk with minimal elevation gain in any weather conditions.
Link: Read more here.
14. Kanaka Creek
Where: Maple Ridge
Time needed: 1 – 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Kanaka Creek a great place for a weekend outing with the family. On sunny and rainy days alike, Kanaka Creek is a peaceful area filled with easy walking trails.
Link: Read more here.
15. Othello Tunnels
Where: Hope
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: The incredible geology of the canyon and inventive engineering of the tunnels make this a popular place to explore. The Othello Tunnels, 5 in total, are carved through steep canyon walls. While you won’t be able to hike the Hope-Nicola Trail with a stroller, you can walk through the tunnels and enjoy a nice outing.
Link: Read more here.
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