Six Family-Friendly Hikes in Vancouver

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 stays snow-free throughout the year. Hike into the canyon for multiple viewpoints of Cypress Creek and the upper and lower falls.

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 6 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.

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 1-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.

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.

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.

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 throughout 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.