Hiking Lynn Loop in North Vancouver
Contents
Lynn Loop Hike Information
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.5Km
Elevation Gain: 190m
Highest Elevation: 362m
Average Gradient: 6.90%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2.5 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 2.5 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Lynn Loop Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°21’35.1″N 123°01’39.7″W
Lynn Loop Overview
Lynn Loop is a short hike located in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. It’s a fairly popular hike and you’ll likely see a few people along the trail no matter the time of year, as it attracts a variety of outdoors people, whether hikers, trail runners, dog walkers or families.
Half of a hike is a flat stroll along the banks of Lynn Creek, providing several opportunities to get up close to the creek, while the other half of the hike is an undulating stroll through the forest.
While Lynn Loop is a short and easy hike, that’s not to say it doesn’t have its moments of steepness. There is a stair section connecting the lower trail with the upper trail that is actually pretty steep and caught me by surprise given I thought this hike was a stroll the entire time.
As this is a looped hike you have the choice of going either clockwise or counter-clockwise. It doesn’t really matter which way you go, but if you want the steep stairs section of the hike to be uphill, go clockwise, if you’d rather the steep section be downhill, go counter clockwise. I hiked clockwise and that’s how I’ll be describing the hike below.
There are really no views on this hike other than the creek you follow and the forest stroll. This is really a hike to do if you just want something quick and simple without driving too far. I certainly wouldn’t go out of my way to hike Lynn Loop, and in fact I tacked it onto Norvan Falls to add a bit more spice to an otherwise simple hike.
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Is Lynn Loop worthwhile?
If you’re looking for something, quick, simple, with a nice creek flowing next to you and some typical BC forest strolls, then yes it’s worth it. Don’t expect any real views as frankly there are none. Personally I would never go and hike Lynn Loop on its own as it’s too short. As a rule of thumb if I’d be driving for longer than I’d be hiking, I simply won’t bother. As noted above, add it to something else in the area like Norvan Falls, Lynn Peak or even Rice Lake.
How difficult is the Lynn Loop hike?
Lynn Loop comfortably falls in the easy difficulty range. It’s a short hike at just 5.5km, and the elevation gain and average gradient are both mellow. While there is one steep stretch of ascending/descending a staircase, it’s quite short and since it’s all on stairs it’s easy to do.
Technically speaking the hike is simple with a well groomed trail on the lower section and a typical BC forest walk on the upper section, with lots of rocks and roots but not much of concern. There could be some mud/ice on the upper trail but again I wouldn’t worry about it.
Lynn Loop Route Information
As with all hikes beginning at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, the hike begins by passing by the caretakers building and bathrooms, before crossing a bridge over Lynn Creek. This area in itself is pretty nice, with picnic tables, water fountains and access to the creek itself.
On the other side of the bridge you’ll join the Lower Lynn Loop trail, going left will take the clockwise route and going right will take the counter clockwise route. Since I’ll be explaining the clockwise route we’ll assume you go left. The trail begins as a wide, well groomed trail. This follows Lynn Creek and is mostly flat or at least very little elevation and remains so until the trail splits at around 2km. The trail hugs Lynn Creek the entire time, offering multiple viewpoints along the way, plenty of opportunities to get to the creek shore and some benches to stop and appreciate the views.
Continuing along the trail it will narrow gradually as you progress further and you’ll cross a few bridges over creeks coming down the hill to your right. The trail will remain much the same until you reach the 2km mark where it will split, continuing straight will begin the Cedar Mill trail leading towards Norvan Falls, while going right will continue on the Lynn Loop trail.
The trail now steepens quite significantly, which took me by surprise as I had assumed this whole hike was pretty mellow. You’ll begin climbing up a typical forest trail before reaching a steep set of stairs. As you climb this set you’ll see in the distance another, much higher set of stairs which you’ll need to make it to. Essentially you’ve got several different sets of stairs to get over, raising you almost 100m over just 500m in distance, for an average gradient of 20%. Pretty steep!
Thankfully once you’re at the top of these stairs you’ve done the hard part. The rest of the hike is undulating terrain and never really challenges you physically. At the top you’ll turn right onto the Headwaters Trail, which is essentially the halfway point of this hike. You’ll now be making your way back to the trailhead, albeit on a totally different route.
What was once a stroll next to a creek has now become a stroll in typical BC forest. The trail up here is for sure more rugged, but it’s still straightforward. While the surface will be rocks and roots, and at times mud/ice, you’ll never be on a steep gradient. As you continue along the trail you’ll pass over a few more bridges and eventually you’ll reach a junction where the Headwaters Trail connects with another trail going up to Lynn Peak. You’ll just continue straight and soon enough you’ll be spat out onto a junction with a wide open trail.
You’ll go right here, and in no time you’ll be able to see the bridge you took at the beginning leading over Lynn Creek. Soon enough you’ll be back at the car, done and dusted!
When should I hike Lynn Loop?
Lynn Loop is one of those hikes I’d only do on an otherwise uninspiring day, typically rainy or cloudy, or just when I don’t feel like doing anything challenging. I categorically would not do this hike on a sunny day as there are far better hikes around than this.
Top Tip
I’d recommend adding this hike to one of the other hikes in the area, either Lynn Peak, Norvan Falls or Rice Lake. On its own Lynn Loop is really just a pleasant walk in the forest and next to a creek. If that’s all you’re looking for then have at it!
Lynn Loop is also a good “introduction to hiking in BC” for anybody new to hiking here. It’s like a short version of a few different terrains and environments a hiker is likely to see around here, with creeks crossings, groomed trails, rocks and roots. You never get high up on a mountain but it’s a good introduction nonetheless.
