One of the great things about hiking in Vancouver is that there are plenty of hikes in close proximity to the city. And many of them are accessible by public transit.
In this post, we are going to take you through our 14 favorite hiking trails accessible by public transit close to Vancouver.
There are some private bus options (ie, Park Bus, busses operated by the local ski resorts), but the hikes listed below can all be accessed by TransLink (the exception being Mount Gardner, which requires a ride with BC Ferries).
We won’t provide specific transit details below as bus numbers, operating routes, and bus schedules are often changing. But you can do some specific route planning directly on the TransLink website.
we hope the list below gives you some ideas to get out hiking without needing a car!
Safety considerations for hiking by transit
As transit-friendly trails, these hikes are all in close proximity to urban areas. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t quickly get into the backcountry and find yourself lost, injured, or otherwise in trouble. Be sure you are always prepared, on any hike. Always carry The Essentials, leave a trip plan with someone you trust, and follow basic hiking safety.
Also, public transit to some of these trails may operate during limited hours. When planning your hike, you’ll want to make sure that you leave plenty of extra time to catch the last bus of the day, so you’re not left stranded needing an Uber!
The time estimates for each hike below are for the actual hike, and do not include travel time.
Now, let’s look at the best public transit hikes in Vancouver!
The 14 hikes
The Best Hikes around Vancouver by Transit
14 hikes
1. Mount Gardner
View of the Sunshine Coast01
Moderate10 km570 m gain4.5 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:
Bowen Island
Time needed:
4-5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Of all the hikes on this list, Mount Gardner is probably the most difficult to reach by transit, but also makes for a really fun day trip. Doing this hike requires taking a short ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island. Having a bicycle for this would help make things easier to reach the trailhead from the ferry terminal on Bowen Island.
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.
Point Atkinson, Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver02
Easy3 km0 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:
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:
Vancouver
Time needed:
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. There are also many different trailheads where you can begin your hike, and being located near UBC, has good transit access.
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 – 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
No
Details: The Grouse Grind is one of the most popular trails around Vancouver, and is used by fitness junkies looking to get in a cardio workout. Starting from the base of Grouse Mountain resort, the trail is transit accessible and Grouse Mountain also operates it’s own shuttle during the summer.
In addition to the Grouse Grind, starting at the Grouse Mountain Base gives you the option to hike the BCMC Trail, Baden-Powell Trail, and even beyond in the alpine to Dam Mountain and Crown Mountain.
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:
5 – 7 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
No
Details: In case the Grouse Grind isn’t enough of a workout, from the Grouse Mountain lodge, you can do the day-hike to Goat Mountain and Goat Ridge (you can also take the Sky Ride up to the lodge). Goat Mountain is a challenging hike but rewards with terrific views of the North Shore.
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:
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.
No Outdoor Vancouver guide yet, so no trail stats for this one.
Where:
North Vancouver
Time needed:
Varies by hike
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Lynn Headwaters is a gem with several great hikes and has something to offer for everyone. The most popular hike in the park is Norvan Falls, but Lynn Peak, Lynn Lake, and the Lynn Loop are other options. For a serious challenge, you can try tacking Coliseum Mountain.
8. Kennedy Falls
Kennedy Falls08
Difficult10 km250 m gain5 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:
West Vancouver
Time needed:
5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Whether it’s best waterfall hikes, best spring hikes, or whatever ‘best’ list we create, this hike seems to make the cut. This hike features a beautiful waterfall and an unbelievably large tree. The bus stop on Mountain Highway gets you nice and close to the trailhead.
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, on leash
Details: Quarry Rock is one of the most popular hikes on the North Shore. It’s on the easier-side, but still has enough elevation to get the heart pumping. Views of the Indian Arm, and a post hike donut make it a no-brainer.
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:
Burnaby
Time needed:
3 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Located on Burnaby Mountain, near SFU, there are lots of great public transit options for the trails on the mountain. From the main park area, there’s a terrific view of Vancouver, the north shore, and is one of the best spots around to catch a sunset.
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.
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:
Belcarra Regional Park
Time needed:
2.5 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: Another great hike in Belcarra Regional Park is to Admiralty Point. A relatively flat trail follows the shoreline to a point at the corner of the Indian Arm and Burrard Inlet. Here, there’s scenic views over the water.
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:
Anmore
Time needed:
6-7 hours
Dogs Allowed?:
Yes
Details: The Sendero Diez Vistas Trail will take you on a challenging trek up the west side of Buntzen Lake. 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.
Susan Adrian —
As if the North Shore hikes weren’t busy enough.