There is so much more to Vancouver than the modern high rises in the city center. Vancouver is surrounded by beautiful nature waiting to be explored.
If you’re in the city and want a break from urban life, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are many easy hiking trails in Vancouver.
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Psst. Wondering how many days in Vancouver you’ll need? If you’re into hiking, you may want to spend a few days around Vancouver, or maybe even a week. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze in a trip to Whisler too.
1. Lower Lynn Loop Trail At Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver
- Distance: 5.5km
- Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Elevation: 190m
Lynn Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to hike in Vancouver. As well as the memorizing canyon and the iconic suspension bridge, Lynn Canyon Park boasts a wide array of scenery, from waterfalls and swimming ponds to large ancient trees.
You can take two hiking trails here; the shorter one is 3km, and the longer one is 5.5km. I recommend the longer route, though, as it is flatter and much more scenic. The 5.5km trail will take you about 2 hours in total, but it is a very gentle trek, with a large part being along a smooth gravel path by the riverside.
The 5.5km route also leads to twin falls and the 30-foot swimming pool, which are two sights that the shorter 3km route misses. The entrance to Lynn Canyon Park is free, so expect to see a fair amount of fellow hikers.
The park opens at 7 am, so if you want to experience it at its most peaceful time of the day, we recommend going early.
Lynn Canyon is a 20-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. You can access the start of the Lower Lynn Loop Trail at the Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre, which is located on the Peters Road turn off on Lynn Valley Road.
2. Deer Lake Loop Trail, Burnaby
- Distance: 5 km
- Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Elevation: Minimal
The Deer Lake Loop Trail is a must-do for anyone looking for easy hiking in Vancouver. The 5km loop is completely flat, stroller-friendly, and dog-friendly, making it one of the most accessible and easy hikes in Vancouver.
As the name suggests, the trail circles around the expansive lake. However, it offers many other scenic delights and passes by a beach area, viewing tower, and pier.
Therefore, you’ll find many places to stop, rest, and photograph along the trail. So although the route itself only takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete, it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon here.
The Deer Lake Loop Trail offers a stunning backdrop of high rises and nearby mountains, a perfect blend of urban with rural. Deer Lake Park is a 20-minute drive east of the city center. Admission is free, and you can park at the main lot by the park’s entrance.
3. Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver
- Distance: 3.3 km
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation: 105m
Lighthouse Park is 30 minutes from Downtown Vancouver and is home to one of the most beautiful yet easy Vancouver hikes. It’s a 4km loop with a gentle 190m elevation that travels through the dense forest and along the shore, giving magnificent views of the water on one side and the city center on the other.
Of course, the trail also leads to the lighthouse lookout, the route’s main attraction. There are many different trails you can take around the park, but if you want one of the best short hikes in Vancouver, you can walk straight to the lighthouse and back in around 30 minutes.
Even so, if you have the time, we recommend taking the main hiking trail, which is 3.3km long and takes around 90 minutes. For this route, park at the main entrance, then instead of walking straight, take the first trail on the left marked Salal Loop.
Then, follow the path closest to the park’s outer edge, and after 2km, you will arrive at the lighthouse.
4. Dog Mountain, Mount Seymour Provincial Park
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours
- Elevation: 165 m
Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a well-known spot for hiking in British Columbia. Here you will find the Dog Mountain Hike, one of my favorite easy hiking trails in Vancouver.
This 5.5km roundtrip has almost no elevation gain; however, the path can be a little challenging at times. This is because some sections are covered in slippery tree roots, so you have to watch your step and go slow.
Therefore, although it’s not strenuous, it may not be the most suitable place to hike with small children.
The trailhead in Mount Seymour Provincial Park is already 1,000 above sea level, so you do most of the elevation during the drive. Therefore, Dog Mountain offers some of the most spectacular views without the challenging uphill climb.
So, if you love the mountains but don’t feel up for a mountain trek, you’ll find Dog Mountain to be one of the best places to go hiking in Vancouver.
You can park at the parking lot on Mount Seymour Road. From here, it’s a 20-minute walk to the official trailhead. Mount Seymour Provincial Park is about a 35-minute drive from the city center, and you do not need a day-use permit to access the trails.
5. Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver
- Distance: 3km to 9km
- Duration: Various
- Elevation: Minimal
If you’re after a short afternoon walk in nature without leaving the city, head to Stanley Park. This vast protected nature reserve offers over 9km of hiking distance; however, you can do as much as the loop as you want. Even so, as the route is almost entirely flat, the complete circle would take a while to complete but would not feel challenging at all.
You’ll find many beautiful and unique spots to explore here, such as Third Beach, the Rose Garden, and Lost Lagoon. Therefore, we recommend walking at least 3km to see some of the beautiful nature that Stanley Park has to offer.
Furthermore, if you want to experience the best views from the park, trek along the west side, from Prospect Point and Ferguson Point.
There are various parking lots around Stanley Park. If you choose to walk from Prospect Point to Ferguson Point, there is a parking lot by Prospect Point lookout, next to a lovely park cafe with a large outdoor seating area.
6. Lower Gold Creek Falls, Golden Ears Provincial Park
- Distance: 5.5km
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation: 100m
Although Golden Ears Provincial Park is a one-hour drive from the city center, the Lower Gold Creek Falls Trail is one of our favorite easy hikes in Vancouver and totally worth the journey.
Part of the trail involves a rocky descent down to the falls, and the last 50m can be a little tricky.
However, the rest of the route is relatively flat, and part of the trail spans through the lush rainforest. It’s 5.5km to the falls and back, and it will take you around an hour to reach the lookout. Make sure to bring your hiking camera so that you can capture the moment!
You will need a BC Parks day pass to access the Gold Creek Falls Trail, which you can reserve for free online the day before you go. To reach the trail, park at the parking lot by North Beach campground on Golden Ears Parkway.
The trailhead is on the left side of the car park, heading north. Golden Ears Provincial Park opens at 7 am daily, and we find the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon.
7. Trans Canada And Pandora Trail At Burnaby Mountain Park
- Distance: 5.5km
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation: 156m
Burnaby Mountain Park is a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver and offers multiple trails that range from easy to complex. Trans Canada and Pandora Trail Loop is a popular 5.5km route that loops around the reserve.
Most of this trail weaves in and out of the forest. Therefore, there are not many scenic viewpoints compared to some of the other short hikes in Vancouver. Even so, it’s a fantastic trail to take when you want to breathe in some fresh air and disconnect from your devices for a couple of hours.
Plus, you will come to the beautiful Centennial Rose Garden at the end of the track, which is a lovely spot to sit and rest your feet.
Burnaby Mountain Park is located right next to Simon Fraser University. Park at the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, then cross over the mini roundabout to find the beginning of the Pandora Trail, heading west.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of easy hikes in Vancouver where you can enjoy the city’s wonderful mountain surroundings, lush forests, and glistening lakes.
So, next time you feel like going hiking in British Columbia, try out one of these scenic yet easy Vancouver hikes.
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