What a marvelous day for a day hike

Looking to get out for a short day hike close to Vancouver? Here are some of the top spots.

By Matt Law
Media Editor

It’s hard to beat British Columbia’s abundance of picturesque mountain trails and ocean-side hiking paths. From the West Coast Trail to the Rocky Mountains, B.C. is a hard place to beat for getting outdoors.

But you don’t have to venture far from Vancouver to experience world-class hiking. Here are five top picks for hikes around Vancouver.

Golden Ears Park: Lower Falls Trail (6 km return – 2 hours)

Golden Ears Provincial Park, located near Maple Ridge, is one of the best places to go for an easy hike in beautiful B.C. There is plenty of hiking to do in the park, but for most, the gentle, winding trail to Gold Creek Falls tops the list. Follow the bark-mulch trail north from the parking lot. There are plenty of places to stop for a picnic along the creek as you make your way towards the falls. Stop to admire the beautiful mountain vistas and ancient, moss-covered stumps in a valley that was once home to the greatest railroad-logging project in B.C. The trail is an easy walk but mud bogs have stolen many shoes from unsuspecting hikers.

Buntzen Lake Loop (8 km, 4.5 hours)

Formerly known as Lake Beautiful, Buntzen Lake is very popular place to hike year-round. This eight-kilometre loop takes hikers on a rolling trek around what really is a beautiful lake. Begin you hike from the Buntzen Lake parking lot and head in either direction around the lake – it is a loop after all.  The hike is a mix of gravel trails, gravel roads and floating bridges along the lake. There are many places to stop for a picnic and a quick dip in the lake to cool off. Although this trail is close to the city, watch out for bears and other wildlife that have become a little too used to people.

Mount Seymour  (7.6 km return – 5 hours)

A classic, and favourite, of local trekkers looking for a short hike and an amazing view. Make no mistake, the hike up Mount Seymour is tough – you can gain almost 600 metres of elevation over just 3.8 kilometres (one way). The trail can be rugged in some parts so proper hiking boots are recommended. But for all the work involved the view is worth it: a complete panoramic from Mount Baker to the Lions Gate Bridge – and that’s just the first peak. Park at the Mount Seymour ski hill and make your way up the ski slope. There are a number of trails to take so grab a map and choose your own adventure. You can hike to the first pump (the shortest hike) or continue on the second pump for a spectacular view of the coastal mountains.

Norvan Falls (11.8 km return – 6 hours)

Step in to B.C.’s logging past with a hike to Norvan Falls in Lynn Canyon Provincial Park. Walk among giant stumps with springboard notches carved deep into the wood. Find old logging camps and equipment scattered throughout the trees and marvel at the beauty of the forest. This hike follows Lynn Creek north from the Lynn Valley parking lot along a gentle gravel path before turning into an old skidder road that takes hikers the rest of the way to the falls. There is some elevation gain along the last section of trail, and expect to cross some washed out sections. There is also an intermediate route that follows a beautiful section of typical North Shore trail that bypasses the ho-hum gravel section near the beginning. The falls is a wonderful place to stop for lunch before making the return trek.

Stawamus Chief  (6 km to south peak return 2.5-3 hours; 3-5 hours 11 km to centre and north peaks return)

Yes this hike technically isn’t in Vancouver but it’s well worth the drive to picturesque Squamish. Park at the base of the Chief along Highway 99 and follow the gentle gravel path to the start of the trail. This is where it gets tough and your butt gets a workout. Hike up. The trail (read: Stairmaster) heads up along wooden staircases and steep switchbacks. Hikers can take either a left to hike just the south peak (for a shorter trip) or stay right and hike the centre and north peaks ­– or do both. Not matter which peak you choose be prepared for some entry-level rock climbing at the top. Metal ladders and chains bolted to the rocks offer some semblance of safety for hikers. This is another hike that is well worth the effort to see an amazing view.  Bring a jacket though; the wind at the top will cool you down fast after getting all sweaty.