Table of Contents
- Easy Hikes and Walks around Vancouver
- Sea to Sky
- North Shore
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley
- Map of the Hikes
Easy Hikes near Vancouver
Sometimes you want to get outside without gearing up for a long, arduous day on the trail. Whether you’re looking for an easy place to take the kids, walk the dog, or just stretch your legs for an hour or two, this list has you covered with the best easy hikes near Vancouver. These trails also make for great beginner hikes around Vancouver.
These hikes are all rated as ‘easy’. This means the hikes have limited elevation gain, and the trails don’t offer many challenging twists and turns. Some are easier than others to be sure, but most of the hikes on this list can be completed in under two hours.
This also makes them nice after-work options during the summer months, or shoulder-season options when the mountains still have snow.
A quick word before we start. Safety is always the most important consideration when hiking. Just because we’re saying these hikes are easy doesn’t mean you don’t need to plan and prepare for your hike. And it doesn’t mean you can leave The Essentials at home. Always be prepared, even on these beginner-friendly hikes and walks.
Now, let’s look at these easy hikes, Vancouver!
Easy Hikes in Sea to Sky Area
1. Murrin Park
Where: Squamish
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on-leash
Details: Murrin Provincial Park is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and rock climbing. A popular hike in the park is to make a quick out-and-back trip to the Quercus viewpoint (pictured above). But you can make this a longer hike by exploring the many trails in the park. There is some technical terrain and elevation gain on the trails in the park. The easiest trail is the short loop around the small Browning Lake.
Link: Read more here.
2. Brandywine Falls
Where: Whistler
Time needed: 30 minutes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on leash
Details: A quick, 15 minute walk from the parking lot in Brandywine Falls Provincial Falls Park takes you to a viewing platform of the falls. It’s an iconic spot in Whistler. The park is closed to traffic during the winter. But if it’s open, it makes for the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs on the drive up the Whistler. In our opinion, Brandywine Falls is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls around.
Link: Read more here.
3. Nairn Falls
Where: Nairn Falls Provincial Park, Pemberton
Time needed: 1.5 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on leash
Details: Nairn Falls is a powerful torrent along the Green River. There are an upper and lower falls, viewable from two platforms at the end of the trail. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the falls from the parking lot at the campground. This is also a popular campground. If you’re camping here, making the hike to Nairn Falls is a no-brainer.
Link: Read more here.
Easy Hikes on the North Shore
4. Lighthouse Park
Where: West Vancouver
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Lighthouse Park is a gorgeous area of old-growth forest in West Vancouver. It home to some of the largest trees remaining on the North Shore. There are numerous trails throughout Lighthouse Park, and several points of beach access. It is a great location for a family outing on a sunny or a rainy day. From the shore, you have great views of the Salish Sea, downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park.
Link: Read more here.
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5. Whyte Lake
Where: West Vancouver
Time needed: 1 – 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on-leash
Details: Whyte Lake is a quiet hike in West Vancouver. You start by walking underneath a Highway #1 overpass, and into the scenic Nelson Canyon. The trail climbs gently through a dense forest, beside Nelson Creek, before reaching the small lake. Some go here in the summer for an evening dip, though the lake is a bit ‘marshy’.
Link: Read more here.
6. Rice Lake
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: The quiet and peaceful loop around Rice Lake takes about 1 hour at a leisurely pace and is great for family outings. The trail around the lake is stroller-friendly, with little elevation gain or loss. This is one of the easiest trails on this list.
The loop is good for trail running, and Rice Lake is also a popular fishing spot .
Link: Read more here.
7. Lynn Canyon
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Lynn Canyon is a popular hike year-round in North Vancouver. The trail crosses over the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. A popular route through the area follows Lynn Creek down to a vantage point of the beautiful Twin Falls. Another popular option is to walk north from the suspension bridge to the 30 foot pool.
Link: Read more here.
8. Maplewood Flats
Where: North Vancouver
Time needed: 1 hour
Dogs Allowed?: No
Details: Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver is a 311-acre conservation area managed by the Wild Bird Trust of B.C. Maplewood Flats contains over 3 km of trails lining a beautiful and peaceful tidal marsh. It is a serene birding, nature observation, and walking area. This is a great place to take small children, with plenty of sights and wildlife to keep them interested.
Link: Read more here.
Easy Hikes in Metro Vancouver
9. Buntzen Lake
Where: Anmore
Time needed: 3 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: The Buntzen Lake area has many great trails, including the popular Diez Vistas route (a more difficult hike with lots of elevation). However, the simple 10 km route around the lake is a nice and easy way to enjoy. While the trail around the Buntzen Lake is mostly flat and easy to navigate, it is fairly long, so be prepared. You can rest and eat a snack at the beach at the north end of the lake (roughly halfway of the loop).
Link: Read more here.
10. Pacific Spirit Park
Where: Vancouver
Time needed: 1 – 3 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Located near UBC, the Pacific Spirit Regional Park comprises an area of more than 750 hectares of beautiful forest. The area is popular for walking and jogging year-round. It is also a popular place to take dogs. There are numerous trails throughout the park to explore, and you can choose a route to your liking. The only problem with this hike is figuring out the exact route you want to take – it can be overwhelming to choose!
Link: Read more here.
11. Burnaby Lake
Where: Burnaby
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on-leash
Details: Burnaby Lake is a scenic area, offering a flat, 10 km loop. The area is rich with countless varieties of birds, and is a great place for a walk any time of year.
Link: Read more here.
A Starter’s Guide to Hiking in Vancouver.
- Guides for 10 amazing hikes near Vancouver
- Hiking safety and trail etiquette
- Resources, hiking gear overview, and more!
Easy Hikes in the Fraser Valley
12. Golden Ears Provincial Park
Where: Maple Ridge
Time needed: 2 hours
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on leash
Details: There are many great walking trails within Golden Ears Provincial Park. It’s popular spot for campers and day-trippers alike. The Lower Falls Trail is the most popular hike which takes you to Gold Creek Falls. It is flat, and manageable for kids, making it a great option for those camping in the park.
Link: Read more here.
13. Kanaka Creek
Where: Maple Ridge
Time needed: 30 minutes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Details: Kanaka Creek runs through a beautiful forest of Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and moss-covered maple and Western red cedar trees. The Cliff Falls waterfall is the main attraction to the park. Swimming, picnicking, horseback riding, trail running and salmon viewing also bring many to the 400-hectare park.
Link: Read more here.
14. Bridal Veil Falls
Where: Chilliwack
Time needed: 15 minutes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, on leash
Details: A quick walk from the parking lot off Highway 1 in Chilliwack, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the iconic waterfalls of B.C. Due due its location off Highway 1, it makes for the perfect pit stop on a long drive to/from the interior of the province. You can stretch the legs, eat a snack, and get the blood flowing on the short walk to the waterfall.
Link: Read more here.
