25 of the Best Beginner Friendly Hikes near Vancouver
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One of the great things about hiking around Vancouver is that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to scale a mountain from sea level to summit, or you just want a simple, low elevation stroll in the forest, you don’t have to go far here to find exactly that.
Below you’ll find a list of 25 easy hikes in and around Vancouver suitable for beginners. If you need any advice on how to prepare for a hike, or what to pack, feel free to check out this post about hiking safely in British Columbia.
If you want more detail for any hike on this list, just click the title or follow the link in the description.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 5.6Km
Elevation Gain: 165m
Highest Elevation: 1,054m
Average Gradient: 5.90%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.5 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.5 Hours
There aren’t many peaks that you can summit around Vancouver that require as little effort as Dog Mountain, making this the best beginner hike near the city. With quick and simple access from the Mount Seymour parking lot, in just 5.60km of (easy) hiking round-trip you’ll find yourself overlooking the Burrard Inlet and the city, as well as enjoying panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains. Dog Mountain is popular year-round too, so you’re usually not far from help should you need it.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 4.5Km
Elevation Gain: 150m
Highest Elevation: 1,040m
Average Gradient: 6.67%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.5 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.5 Hours
Bowen Lookout is a viewpoint in Cypress Provincial Park offering great views over the Howe Sound and Bowen Island, hence the name. It’s a short, easy hike with little elevation. Many people will hike this on their way to the more challenging St. Mark’s Summit, but if hiking this alone without continuing further afield, the nearby Yew Lake is a worthwhile addition, adding basically zero elevation, minimal distance and offering a nice stroll next to a lake and through some marshland.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.80Km
Elevation Gain: 270m
Highest Elevation: 115m
Average Gradient: 9.31%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.5 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.5 Hours
Lighthouse Park is a beautiful park in West Vancouver, featuring some of the largest Douglas Fir trees in Greater Vancouver, and offering stunning shoreline viewpoints throughout much of the trail. The park is biologically rich and is a fine example of old growth coastal forest close to the city. This is a great, beginner friendly hike with easy access, and the trail allows you to see as much or as little of the park as you wish, with plenty of entry and exit points throughout.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 5.8Km
Elevation Gain: 165m
Highest Elevation: 294m
Average Gradient: 5.69%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very Easy / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Lower Gold Creek Falls is a scenic waterfall in Golden Ears Provincial Park that is a very easy and pleasant hike along the shores of Gold Creek, culminating at a beautiful waterfall viewpoint. This is another very popular trail, especially on a sunny summer day, so you’re rarely far from anyone should you need them. Golden Ears Provincial Park is another area with no cell service, however, so bring an offline map.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 10.50Km
Elevation Gain: 300m
Highest Elevation: 220m
Average Gradient: 5.70%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3.5 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2.5 – 3.5 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 2.5 Hours
Buntzen Lake is a very popular recreation area situated north of Port Moody and maintained by BC Hydro thanks to a reservoir they operate there. There are a number of trails within the park, but the most popular is the Buntzen Lake Loop, a 10.50km hike around the lake. On a sunny weekend this park is incredibly popular, though it should be noted that there is no cell service for the majority of the hike. More ambitious hikers can optionally add on Diez Vistas, another popular though more demanding hike in the area.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4Km
Elevation Gain: 205m
Highest Elevation: 131m
Average Gradient: 10.25%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 1.75 – 2.50 Hours
– Moderate: 1.25 – 1.75 Hours
– Fast: 0.75 – 1.25 Hours
Quarry Rock is a very popular hike in the scenic village of Deep Cove, thanks to its rewarding viewpoint from a rocky bluff above the Indian Arm. Despite its low elevation, the views from the bluff are quite pleasant due to a steep drop and lack of tree obstruction. At just 4km this is a quick hike, though the 200m of elevation gain can catch some parties out who are expecting a flat walk. After finishing, the village itself is a fantastic place to wander around and enjoy a local delicacy (ahem…Honey’s Donuts).
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 16Km
Elevation Gain: 300m
Highest Elevation: 450m
Average Gradient: 3.75%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 6 – 7 Hours
– Moderate: 5 – 6 Hours
– Fast: 4 – 5 Hours
Norvan Falls is a classic North Shore hike that is popular with beginners, trail runners and dog walkers. At 16km the hike is a fairly long one, however it is very straightforward with a very manageable incline the whole way. The waterfall at the end is fairly nice, especially in the depths of winter when it can sometimes freeze if the temperatures drop significantly. For the most part Norvan Falls is a year-round hike thanks to its low elevation. Make sure to stop at the falls though, as any further travel enters significantly more demanding terrain.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4Km
Elevation Gain: 170m
Highest Elevation: 200m
Average Gradient: 8.50%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.5 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.5 Hours
Lynn Canyon Park is a very popular destination in North Vancouver for locals and tourists alike. The park forms a short section of the Baden Powell trail that runs from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove, with the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge one of the top tourist destinations in the city. This is an ideal year-round hike for beginners, with a number of simple trails from an easy to access parking lot. Much of the hike is along boardwalks and stairs, making this family and pet friendly too. There are even spots to go swimming, such as the 30 Foot Pool above.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.25Km
Elevation Gain: 200m
Highest Elevation: 213m
Average Gradient: 5.50%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2.5 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 2.5 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Rice Lake is a scenic and tranquil lake in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver that makes for an easy and pleasant hike for all abilities. Due to its well groomed gravel trail, it’s particularly popular with families looking to take their young ones for an easy stroll in nature. It’s also a popular dog walking and fishing spot, and you’ll likely find many anglers dotted around the lakes shore anytime you visit. If you just want to see the lake loop, the stats fall to around 2.5km and completely flat. The 7.5km noted above includes Lynn Canyon as well, as both trails can easily be combined to a more full outing.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.50Km
Elevation Gain: 290m
Highest Elevation: 254m
Average Gradient: 10.50%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2.50 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 2.50 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
Belcarra Bluffs is a viewpoint overlooking the Indian Arm, Capitol Hill, Burnaby Mountain, Burrard Inlet and, on a clear day, Downtown Vancouver. The hike begins in Belcarra Regional Park, with a moderate yet consistent climb up to the bluff. From the viewpoint, hikers can either descend the same way they came or return via the Admiralty Point trail which is a scenic coastal stroll. While this is a simple hike, you will want a downloaded map to follow as the route is not obvious or well signposted. If you’d rather keep it very simple you can just do Admiralty Point, which is more of a coastal walk than a hike.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6Km
Elevation Gain: 256m
Highest Elevation: 90m
Average Gradient: 8.53%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Jug Island is a tiny, picturesque island just off the northern tip of Belcarra Regional Park in Belcarra, Greater Vancouver. It makes for a scenic endpoint to an otherwise fun and adventurous 6km trail through the park, making this a popular option amongst all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts, but particularly families and dog walkers. This would be easy to combine with Admiralty Point, Belcarra Bluffs and/or Sasamat Lake, since they’re all around the same area.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 9.30Km
Elevation Gain: 220m
Highest Elevation: 138m
Average Gradient: 4.73%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
Rounding out the Belcarra Regional Park easy trails, Sasamat Lake is a very simple and flat hike. This is another popular spot as the lake offers a number of recreational activities, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and bird watching. To make this trail a bit more challenging, you can optionally add on Woodhaven Swamp, which involves a bit of a climb through the forest to reach. As noted above you could feasibly add on Jug Island, Admiralty Point or Belcarra Bluffs to this trip too.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6.70Km
Elevation Gain: 310m
Highest Elevation: 344m
Average Gradient: 9.25%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2Hours
Whyte Lake is a small and charming lake in West Vancouver. The lake itself isn’t the most inspiring of lakes, and the biggest draw of this hike is probably the scenic section of trail going through Nelson Creek. This is one of the finest examples of Pacific temperate rainforest anywhere near Vancouver, making for a colourful and at times otherworldly experience. The hike to the lake itself is straightforward, though you can make things a bit more challenging by following the Old Helipad route back.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.80Km
Elevation Gain: 255m
Highest Elevation: 1,230m
Average Gradient: 10.62%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
Mystery Lake is a popular swimming hole located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, with the nearby Mystery Peak offering some decent views on a clear day. During the summer Mystery Lake is a relatively popular spot as it’s quite easy to reach and offers a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. The only difficulty about this hike could be navigation, as it is not that well signposted, so make sure to bring a map if you plan to go on this hike.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.20Km
Elevation Gain: 370m
Highest Elevation: 1,401m
Average Gradient: 10.27%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3.5 – 4.5 Hours
– Moderate: 2.5 – 3.5 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 2.5 Hours
Goat Mountain is one of the easier and more scenic summits that you can access from the top of the Grouse Mountain gondola. This is by no means an easy trail if you opt to hike up from the bottom, so beginners will want to take the gondola. From the gondola this is a fairly straightforward hike, with navigation perhaps being the only concern. Goat Mountain is more in the backcountry and you’re less likely to see as many people, so an offline map would be strongly recommended for this one. This is also a summer only hike as Lynn Headwaters is closed for most of the year due to the more technical terrain. More confident and capable parties may alternatively aim for Crown Mountain, though that’s much more challenging.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8.20Km
Elevation Gain: 305m
Highest Elevation: 443m
Average Gradient: 7.44%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
Hunter Logging Road is an unfortunate name for an otherwise enjoyable hike in Mission. While the entire hike follows a logging road (hence the name), the actual reason people enjoy this hike is for the beautiful viewpoint above the always scenic Stave Lake and its surrounding mountain range. At just 8.20km this is a fairly straightforward hike for all abilities, and given it’s all along an easy to navigate logging road it’s a very beginner friendly outing too.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 10.50Km
Elevation Gain: 372m
Highest Elevation: 173m
Average Gradient: 7.09%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2.5 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 2.5 Hours
Minnekhada Regional Park is a scenic spot in Coquitlam, near the Pitt-Addington Marsh. With over 10km of simple trails and a variety of sights throughout, this is a great spot for beginners to enjoy some nice views on an easy trail. Minnekhada Park allows hikers to go as far or as short a distance as they want, but most people will aim to climb up to High Knoll, which offers the best views, while also looping around the marshes in the centre of the park.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 7.5Km
Elevation Gain: 164m
Highest Elevation: 313m
Average Gradient: 4.37%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2.5 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 2.5 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
The Four Lakes trail is a short 7.5km hike in Alice Lake Provincial Park near Squamish, hitting all of the main sights in the park within just a few hours. This is a very easy hike with minimal elevation, with the entire trail being simple, well groomed, easy to follow and never steep. This trail pretty much covers everything in the park, so if you want to see everything Alice Lake has to offer this is a great way to do so.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.5Km
Elevation Gain: 240m
Highest Elevation: 840m
Average Gradient: 13.70%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 2 Hours
Lindeman Lake is a stunning turquoise alpine lake around a 2 hour drive from Vancouver, but is very popular thanks to its relatively short (though steep) hike that is manageable for all abilities. This is an extremely busy trail that is often crowded on a sunny summer weekend, so an early start is recommended. Hikers can optionally continue on to Greendrop Lake if they want to make a fuller day of it, though Greendrop is nowhere near as nice as Lindeman.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.55Km
Elevation Gain: 245m
Highest Elevation: 360m
Average Gradient: 8.83%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.5 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.5 Hours
Teapot Hill is a family favorite trail at Cultus Lake in Chilliwack, with dog walkers and children often enjoying the trail year-round. Much of the trail is adorned with decorative teapots that make for a quirky hike in the forest. Children often enjoy searching for teapots, some of which can be hidden throughout the forest. While there are no real views on this hike other than the forest, the teapots really make this a unique hike.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6.00Km (3.7 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 300m (984 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 1,588m (5,210 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 10.00%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Huntoon Point is a fairly long drive from Vancouver, at around 2.5 hours, however it is well worth the effort to go as the views here are superb and require little effort to appreciate them. Huntoon Point is a perfect example of that, requiring only 2.4km of simple walking to a stunning viewpoint of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker. This is even a popular beginner trail in winter, though it is a bit longer and more involved then. If you want to extend this hike to be a bit more challenging, you can also add on the Chain Lakes Loop or even Ptarmigan Ridge, both of which are fantastic hikes.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.40Km
Elevation Gain: 491m
Highest Elevation: 1,572m
Average Gradient: 13.27%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 3 Hours
Joffre Lakes are a trio of glacier-fed, turquoise lakes situated in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park near Pemberton. Thanks to its ease of access, stunning lakes, glaciated peaks and relatively simple trail, Joffre Lakes has quickly become one of the most popular hikes in British Columbia, drawing in crowds of hikers, tourists and campers every day throughout the summer. The entire hike follows an obvious trail, though some people get caught off guard as there is a decent amount of elevation gain, almost 500m in fact. While this is perhaps edging towards a moderately difficult hike, beginners can and do complete this hike all the time.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 7Km
Elevation Gain: 120m
Highest Elevation: 630m
Average Gradient: 3.42%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
The Whistler Train Wreck is the site of a train crash that occurred in 1956 when a train that was traveling between Lillooet and Squamish crashed as a result of speeding. The hike to the train wreck is only around 1.3km (each way) with minimal elevation, but many people choose to explore more of the area thanks to its scenic setting around Cheakamus River. The hike includes a suspension bridge that crosses high above Cheakamus River, which in itself is a nice spot. Whistler Train Wreck is fairly popular in winter when snow covers much of the trail.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 5.80Km
Elevation Gain: 164m
Highest Elevation: 507m
Average Gradient: 5.65%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.50 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.50 Hours
Brandywine Falls is a waterfall near Whistler that is easily accessible off the Sea to Sky Highway. This is an extremely popular attraction, thanks in large part to the ease of access, with the waterfalls viewpoint a mere 500m away from the parking lot along a smooth, flat, graveled trail. It’s possible to continue hiking via the Sea to Sky trail, which passes through a scenic valley and culminates at Whistler Bungee, a bungee jumping destination above Cheakamus River.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.60Km (4.7 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 366m (1,200 Ft)
Highest Elevation: 388m (1,273 Ft)
Average Gradient: 9.63%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2.5 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 2.5 Hours
At 388m, Mount Erie is the highest point on Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, Washington. Located in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, the summit is entirely accessible via paved road, with a spacious parking area at the summit. However, many people opt to hike to the top from a variety of different trails. All of the trails are beginner friendly, making this a popular spot for families and dog walkers. At 1 hour 45 from Vancouver it’s not too far away either.
Other Beginner Friendly Hikes Near Vancouver
While the above is a fairly comprehensive list of beginner friendly trails in and around Vancouver, there are a few others you may want to check out if you’re still looking for more: