If you're looking for a hike that ends with a swim, Mystery Lake is hard to beat…read more The lake itself is incredibly clean. I was expecting the water to be absolutely freezing, but it was surprisingly comfortable once you got in. It still has that hidden locals' spot feeling, which is becoming harder and harder to find. If you're visiting on a warm summer day, don't forget your swimsuit. There's nothing better than cooling off in the lake after the hike, and that's what makes this place stand out from so many other trails around Vancouver.

Beautiful lake but can't swim cause the water is murky! The…read moretrail was beautiful would say it's a beginner trail since you can finish within 30mins

One of the best views for intermediate hike! The beginning is very rocky and slippery when coming…read moredown but rest is beautiful forest trail. You can go via black mountain for view of the lions and stop by canine lake for a swim Value 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Service 4/5 Quality 4/5 18/29

Rated as a moderately challenging hike I'd say Eagle Bluffs is a great hike if you want to start…read moretraining your body for other hikes at Cypress like St. Marks Summit. At an estimated elevation gain of over 400m it has a great effort to reward ratio. The first 2kms are always talked about because it's switchbacks that are just dirt and loose rock. I've done this hike a handful of times and i'm always blown away by how many people I see wearing sandals and jeans. Good on them for being able to do it, but I don't recommend it, especially the sandals. The switchbacks on the way down will kill your feet and knees. Also, as much as I love dogs, I'm an owner myself, I wouldn't bring mine with me on this hike. It's just too taxing on their body, especially if it's a hot day. I saw a poor shitzhu yesterday panting like crazy on the way up. The trail can also get very busy and having a dog on a leash can cause a bit of a traffic and also make parts of the hike harder for you. Logistics: - Parking is at Cypress Bowl. - Bathrooms can be found at the lodge at the parking lot - You don't need a pass this year. - You want to take the Black Mountain Trail (aka The Baden Powell). Not the Howe Sound Crest Trail; this will take you to Bowen Lookout, St. Marks Summit, and beyond.

This trail is rated easy, however not for the average person. It takes about 1.5 hours round trip…read morefor an average person. However, if you play sports and can run an easy 5-6 minute mile, it is quite easy. Parking is very hard and I parked half a mile away on a Friday afternoon. The trail is very crowded but the view is beautiful.

Quarry Rock was beautiful and a nice trail for tourists looking to enjoy some scenic nature views…read more I would describe this hike as an easy hike but with a larger incline during the beginning and end of the trail. Parking is available at Panorama Park but fills up quickly. Plan to add another 20-30 minutes wait time to your travels if you're packing a tight schedule. Another thing to note is that Google shows a trail leading from the main vantage point back down to the water; but it has since been removed as a path as there were signs and tape that indicated 'no trespassing'. This means that we took the same trail there and back, adding another 45-60 minutes to our itinerary. All in all, you don't want to miss the stunning views. The photos don't do the views at this vantage point justice.

Overall 4 Stars So…read morethe Baden Powell Trail is not for the faint at heart! It is considered a beginners trail however the trail is steeped with a lot of steps up and down the mountain trails. If you have weak knees or back, I recommend not to do it due to the steps and the distance to the No Name Rock - I made this up. Can find a name of the Rock peak anywhere ( the rock at the peak where you have a beautiful view of Deep Cove. You will "huff and puff" throughout the trail. Also, we saw people having to carry their pets with them because they were hot, short winded, or were the short legged breed. The trail itself is decently manicured with a lot of pressure treated wood for the steps and bridges. But the trail itself can be steep. I believe you will cross about 6 bridges before reaching the peak. It will take about 45 minutes (if you are in top shape) or more to reach the peak. I believe it took about 75 minutes due to popularity of the trail. Went around 4:30 PM on a Saturday during peak season. BRING WATER!!! We brought One 1Litre of Water each which was sufficient. Also, some snacks when you reach the "no name" rock. I really don't know if there is a name of the rock. I just call it that. The snacks is your reward with the view of the cove. It is spectacular! And we forgot ours! Don't make our mistake. I didn't take pictures of the steps and trail and I regret it now. However the trail itself is pretty and there are sections where the salty breeze feels lovely on your glistening skin. HAHA! The trail is about 2.2 kilometers or 1.37 miles from beginning to the No Name Rock - aka the Peak then 2.2 miles back. It is quicker coming down. Just give yourself rest during the train. It can get narrow and there are limited bench seats. Cons: 1. Limited bench seats 2. No signs to tell how far you come along or how far you have to go. I wish they will add a sign in the bridges as a Marker Point. The trail only has a beginning and ending sign 3. Trails on the steps can be narrow. Take your time. It is not a race. Advice: 1. Wear good comfortable shoes. Trail can be rocky and soil slippery at times. 2. Be courteous to other people on the trail. Some were oblivious on the people on the trail taking selfies or videos by blocking certain areas. Be patient and let the other people pass before you become an "influencer". When it is busy, it is not respectful. 3. Wear long sleeves early in the morning or later in the evening due to mosquitos. They seem to appear during those times. And when they saw me, it was "Asian Buffett" time! However, these mosquitoes were nothing like the ones in Alaska wear they will take you away for their feast or down in the South where they add some hot sauce on ya' before enjoy the entree'. Eat some Kimchi or garlic and they will stay away from you and maybe everyone else. Hmmm, that's not a bad idea!

Wonderful hike in Lynn Valley near the Suspension bridge. There's lots of parking, and a great hike…read morefor those looking for a leisurely hike, and all the inclines have been fixed with stairs so you don't need to worry as much about tripping on roots or slipping when it's wet. For those looking for a longer hike, the trail also leads/around Rice Lake for some beautiful views. Good hike for beginners looking to get into hiking. It can get pretty busy during the summer time, but we went on a weekday afternoon and it was empty and so peaceful!

Very nice leisurely hike (~1.5 km each direction) from the Mount Seymour parking lot. This hike is…read morelike a flatter version of Quarry Rock. Parking is plentiful here during the summer months, which is nice. To get to the trail, just go towards the chair lift (bear hut), and down the road N of the parking lot. There is a gentle dip where the trail begins. There is also a trail map at this point. The walk is actually quite leisurely, without much of an elevation change. Great for socializing, and not strenuous at all. The trail can be a bit narrow for large sections (only room for single file), so traffic jams are unfortunately quite common. This is probably the single biggest downside to the trail. There is a random lake (large puddle?) about halfway along the trail, with a viewpoint dock. The view from the peak is pretty nice. On a clear day, one can see Vancouver and SFU. There are lots of birds (whiskey jacks and ravens) who like human food. Bring a granola bar or other suitable food and they'll eat the food right out of your hands if you stick your arm out. Makes for some great photos if desired. Great place to bring friends from out of town if they want to sample the West Coast lifestyle.

After my friend and I hiked Mystery Lake, we decided to hike the Dog Mountain trail. I had never…read morehiked Dog Mountain before, and while my friend has snowshoed up Dog Mountain, he had never hiked it when there wasn't snow, so it was a new experience for him. Once again the trail was marked as "easy", but it was far from it. While "only" a 5km round trip, the trail was NOT easy. (Length of trail does not dictate the difficulty, in my opinion.) The first 15 minutes or so of the trail are deceptively easy -- smooth, flat ground that is suitable for all abilities. A literal walk in the park. But shortly before getting to First Lake (which is at the 1km mark), there are some inclines and roots and rocks, which, while not difficult for an experienced hiker, someone with mobility issues would likely have to turn back at this point. From First Lake to the peak of Dog Mountain, it's another 1.5km. Not a far distance, but it took us about an hour just to hike from First Lake to the peak, as the terrain was quite a challenge. There were a lot of inclines, and we had to do a lot of scrambling over rocks and roots (while on the inclines) as well as walk along several logs crossing over creeks. Not impossible by any means, but not easy. Definitely not appropriate for someone's first hike. To add to the difficulty of the terrain, I am only five feet tall, so hiking is a lot more difficult for me than for a taller person, as I can't just step down or step over a log/rock/root, as my legs are shorter. My inability to easily step down or over something has nothing to do with my ability, but with my physical stature, and due to this, it puts a lot of pressure on my knees, and it just takes me longer to complete a hike. (I really need to invest in hiking poles!) While a taller person can just step over something, I have to scramble on all fours, or instead of just stepping down from a rock, I will have to step sideways or, like a toddler, sit down and then scoot down on my butt, in order to avoid falling and twisting my ankle. So because of the terrain and my height, the hike was slow going, and the entire hike, there and back (including a brief 15 minute stop at the top for a snack and photos) took about 3 hours, while the website and signs, which must have been written by a 6'5" man, says it is an easy two hour hike (NOT TRUE!). All in all it was a fun and challenging hike, and there was a lovely view at the top, but it it is NOT easy, and people with mobility issues would not be able to complete it. Walking to First Lake and back would make a nice little hike for a beginner hiker, though. My friend, who had only snowshoed up Dog Mountain, was surprised at the terrain -- covered in snow, he wasn't aware of all the roots and rocks. Things to note: there were fewer bugs than on the Mystery Lake trail, and dogs are allowed, although they must be on a leash. [Yelp collections: Hiking]

A mutual friend living in Vancouver described this trail as "endless" and "disgusting". "You should…read morego if you're into that sort of thing." With that glowing endorsement, this was by far top on my list which probably speaks volume. I had originally planned on going a day after arriving, though the weather was near perfect so that I couldn't resist going after checking into my room. I took the 236 bus up which conveniently stopped at the base of the mountain. Folks were performing deep stretches and breathing exercises at the trailhead in preparation, a sign of things to come. When I started, I paced a hiker in front of me for a while before overtaking her. Naturally, another hiker came up from behind and steadily passed me. Intense concentration from everyone made the hike a fairly quiet one with occasional nods of empathy from those taking an extended break. Markers along the way tell you when you are 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way up along smaller fractional markers out of 40. Beyond the 1/4 marker, downhill hiking is no longer permitted, though I noticed a handful of hikers doing just that. In total, my time was 1:07. In between the sweating and the panting, lush forest trees and bright purple foxgloves made the experience a visual delight. Heading back down via gondola, I had a chance to talk with someone who has been doing the grind for years and still loves it. Next time I would try the BCMC to compare but consider me a fan.

THE BIG: Located in North Vancouver, past the capilano bridge. Plenty of parking in the paid lots…read moreand free street parking down the hill. THE BLACK AND WHITE: This is a grueling hike. Think stairmaster but for an hour. The first time my wife and I did it, we got 59 minutes. This second round, we beat our time. I channeled my inner billy goat and hiked it in 56 minutes. There is a scanner at the bottom of the hike and top of the hike that you can scan to get a more accurate reading of your hike. I recorded everything on my apple watch. The trail is beautiful, plenty of temperate rainforest to see and markers to show half way, 3/4 way and it gets brighter as you approach the top. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall, this is a very hard hike but the reward is worth it. Free to hike up and there is no way down except to buy a tram ticket that is around 20 CAD.

The Tunnel Bluffs hiking trail begins at the Sunset Trailhead in Lions Bay. The trail is an out…read moreand back trail and is a little over 11km round trip and takes about four hours to complete. The trail has a variety of terrain, making for an interesting trail. The first portion of the trail is gravel and is the most cardio intensive, as there is a slight, but constant incline. After about 20 minutes, the trail thankfully flattens out and is fairly easy. There are a couple of logs you must walk along over streams, but there are some ropes to hold on to. The trail is quite well marked, so that you will not accidentally end up on the more challenging Brunswick, Mount Harvey, and Lions trails. While the trail is overall not extremely difficult and perfect for intermediate hikers, there was one difficult portion that I hated, which makes me hesitant to try the trail again. In order to get to the Tunnel Bluffs view point, there is this large rock face you must scramble up. However, it is quite steep and if you fall, you will fall down the side of the cliff, to your death. I had great difficulty trying to climb up this large rock face (from recent experience, it was like climbing up a mini version the Stawamus Chief), and I was close to tears because I got stuck and could not move without falling. My friends and another hiker helped me, but I was terrified. Thankfully I didn't fall to my death and I was able to make it to the lookout. The view was beautiful (but not worth dying for), but it was such a shame that there was so much garbage. Overall I enjoyed the hike except for climbing over the rock face. And while I would like to do the hike again, I do not want to climb that rock -- it is too scary. Things to note: the paid parking lot at the trailhead is very small, so you pretty much have to arrive at the crack of dawn to get a parking spot. There is more, but limited, parking along the road to the trailhead, but that, too, gets full pretty quickly and if you park further away, you may have to hike 30+ minutes up a steep road just to get to the trailhead. Due to bad traffic and other factors, we didn't arrive until past 1pm, so of course there was no parking anywhere near the trailhead. However, we lucked out -- someone was just leaving and we scored a parking spot at 1:30pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon! (Tip: if you can't start your hike early in the morning, try starting later in the afternoon and you might just get the parking spot of an early hiker who is leaving.) There is a water fountain and water bottle refill station at the parking lot, and 200 meters from the parking lot are port-o-potties. While bathroom facilities are much appreciated, I'd much prefer outhouses -- the port-o-potties smelled so badly! [Yelp collections: Hiking]

One of the most beautiful hikes I've been to. So worth the view. You can stop by bowen on the way,…read morebut it gets crowded and that's a very short hike. Hiking up and down St Marks Summit took us around 5.5 hours (with eating lunch and taking photos and lots of breaks!). We hiked around total of 10 km. The hike is definitely moderate-hard. It gets more difficult at the very top. It's muddy and slippery. Please be careful. The path at the end isn't as clear cut, a lot of climbing tree roots. There are plenty of parking :) the toilets were closed when we were there in October. There was only the portable toilets - kind of smelly. Make sure to bring your own tissue.

Omg! We were told this was going to be an easy hike with worth it view - WRONG!! This was a pretty…read moreintense hike for beginners, even intermediate hikers. It's mainly uphill and took us 2 hours to get up and around 1.5 hours to get back down. There are also a lot of tree roots/branches, I slightly sprained my ankle on the way back down. The viewpoint was stunning but very limited space to see it and it can easily get crowded up there. Two tips if you go: Bring bug spray, lots of mosquitoes! Bring lots and lots of water, we ran out going back but thankfully, there wasn't too many uphill. I highly suggest having GPS/maps on when you hike, signage isn't great. In my opinion, the view wasn't worth the difficult hike lol