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Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Fjällräven.
Vancouver, British Columbia, a seaport city on Canada’s West Coast, has no shortage of places to explore the great outdoors.
Vancouver’s proximity to diverse landscapes makes it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From towering old-growth forests and cascading waterfalls to panoramic coastal vistas and tranquil alpine lakes, the region offers something for everyone. Not to mention, it’s the gateway to the rest of the stunning British Columbia wilderness.
Thanks to a moderate oceanic climate, many of the city’s most beloved trails and parks are accessible year-round. Head out to explore clear trails with the snow-dusted peaks of British Columbia in the backdrop on these hikes in and around Vancouver.
Photo: Shutterstock
1. Cypress Provincial Park
Just 30 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Provincial Park is a year-round playground for locals and visitors. If the name sounds familiar, it’s likely because the ski resort at the park’s namesake mountain was a venue at the 2010 Olympic Games hosted by Vancouver.
Get an overview of the park on the classic Bowen Lookout Trail. The 2.9-mile out-and-back route traverses rainforest, meadow, and groves of old-growth trees. Stop at Yew Lake for a photo op about half a mile into the hike before the trail starts to climb.
When you reach the lookout, enjoy views of the city, Howe Sound, and Mount Baker in the nearby Cascade Range. While this trail is accessible year-round, you may need snowshoes or microspikes to reach the lookout in the winter.
If you’d rather skip hiking on the snow, check out Cypress Falls Trail in the adjacent Cypress Falls Park. Because this 1.8-mile route stays in lower elevations, it remains snow-free throughout the year. Hike into the canyon for multiple viewpoints of Cypress Creek and the upper and lower falls.
- Length: Up to 2.9 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Pit toilets are available throughout both parks; flush toilets available nearby at Black Mountain Lodge
- Parking: Lot and roadside parking available
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash in limited areas at Cypress Provincial Park; off-leash hiking allowed at Cypress Falls Park
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours year-round; winter trails access from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. only
Recommended Gear
Expedition Pack Down Hoodie
- Material: 100 percent acrylic
- Filling: 90 percent goose down, 10 percent feather
- Activity: Trekking
- Features: Insulating, packable, packs into itself, lightweight
- Clothing layer: Outerwear, Insulating layer
- Three pockets: Hand pocket(s), inner pocket(s)
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2. Howe Sound
In West Vancouver, the rugged coastline of Howe Sound is dotted with oceanfront parks just waiting to be explored.
Home to one of the city’s few remaining old-growth forests and a designated rockfish protection area, Lighthouse Park plays an important role in preserving natural ecosystems within city limits. Alongside 500-year-old trees, the Point Atkinson lighthouse stands out as an iconic landmark and a significant piece of Vancouver’s history. Wander along six miles of interconnected trails to experience the natural and cultural sides of the park.
Farther up the coast, visit Whytecliff Park — one of Canada’s first marine protected areas and a popular launching point for scuba divers. Head to Whytecliff Beach at low tide, when an exposed rocky outcrop grants access to Whyte Islet. Check the tide charts so you won’t get stranded by the incoming tide. Or head to the inland portion to hike a short trail that offers panoramic views of Howe Sound below.
- Length: Up to six miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Multiple available throughout the parks
- Parking: Limited on-site parking is available
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash throughout the parks; some leash-optional areas are available
- Hours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Recommended Gear
Keb Agile Winter Trousers
- Material: G-1000 Stretch: 50 percent polyester (recycled), 15 percent polyester (T400), 35 percent cotton (organic)
- Activity: Trekking
- Features: Adaptable with Greenland Wax, packable, durable, stretch, ventilation
- Reinforcement areas: Knees, lower leg, pockets
- Clothing Layer: First layer, Outerwear
- Four pockets: Two or more thigh pockets, hand pocket(s)
- Waist: High waist
Shop the Women's Trousers Shop the Men's Trousers
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3. Murrin Provincial Park
Travel north on BC-99 — the Sea-to-Sky Highway — to Murrin Provincial Park just south of Squamish. On this scenic route, the views from the car window are well worth the trip, but to truly take in the coastal mountain landscape, you’ll want to explore on foot.
The short but steep Quercus Lookout Trail promises a big reward for a one-mile hike. From the trailhead, hike along the shore of Browning Lake, through the rainforest, and past granite slabs before ascending to the lookout, where jaw-dropping views of Howe Sound to the west and the surrounding mountains to the east.
If your ears perked up at the mention of granite slabs, you might want to carve out some extra time to explore a few of the more than 250 climbing routes scattered throughout the park.
- Length: One mile
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Restrooms: Pit toilets available
- Parking: Free at trailhead
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash in limited areas
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours year-round; entrance may close during and after heavy snowfall
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4. Mamquam River
Drive a bit farther up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, about an hour outside Vancouver, to Squamish. While this mountain town offers seemingly endless access to outdoor recreation, the Mamquam River is a local favorite.
On the mile-long Mamquam Falls Trail, follow the river through lush forest until you reach Mamquam Falls. Renowned for its distinctive color, which ranges from milky blue to vibrant turquoise, this waterfall achieves its unique look thanks to finely ground rock sediment from the Mamquam Icefield upriver.
If your vehicle can handle off-road conditions, continue on the 33.5-mile Mamquam River Forest Service Road beyond the trailhead for even more scenic views of the river valley and surrounding mountains.
- Length: One mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Not available
- Parking: Multiple lots with trailhead access available
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours year-round
Recommended Gear
Skule Top 26
- Material: 100 percent polyester 600D (recycled)
- Activity: Everyday Outdoor
- Height: 50 cm
- Width: 30 cm
- Depth: 18 cm
- Laptop size: 15″
- Five pockets: Inside compartment, open side pocket(s), zippered inside pocket(s), zippered outside pocket(s)
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5. Quarry Rock
Venture northwest of the city to explore a local favorite: Quarry Rock Lookout Trail. This well-maintained 2.4-mile trail packs a punch worth more than its mileage, with stunning views of Indian Arm Fjord. Catch the trail from Panorama Park in the town of Deep Cove. Then, hike through the rainforest and along wooden footbridges before climbing the rocky bluff that opens up to reveal the fjord below.
Fun fact: The trail overlaps with the Baden-Powell Trail, which traverses the Burrard Peninsula — hugging the city’s northern boundary — over 27.1 miles from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay to Indian.
- Length: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Restrooms: Available nearby at Panorama Park
- Parking: Available at Panorama Park and Deep Cove Park
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed off-leash
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours year-round
Recommended Gear
Keb Fleece Hoodie
- Material: 73 percent polyester (recycled), 20 percent wool (traceable), seven percent elastane
- Activity: Trekking
- Clothing layer: Mid layer
- Features: Adaptable with Greenland Wax, channels moisture, insulates in wet condition, odor resistant
- Reinforcement areas: Shoulders
- Three pockets: Chest pocket(s), hand pocket(s)
Photo: Shutterstock
6. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
For a nature fix in the heart of Vancouver, head to Pacific Spirit Regional Park on the city’s western side. This 2,000-acre park encompasses multiple ecosystems, including beaches, streams, wetlands, forests, and meadows.
Choose from multiple routes in a nearly 35-mile network of trails that weave through these diverse areas. Follow the 7.6-mile Foreshore Trail along the coast of Point Grey Peninsula to enjoy views of Burrard Inlet and the Strait of Georgia. Or opt for the Pacific Spirit Inner Loop, which offers 4.3 miles of forest exploration.
- Length: 35 miles of trails over 2,000 acres
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Restrooms: Multiple available throughout the park
- Parking: Free parking
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed; some trails are leash-optional
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
