5 Summer Hikes Around Vancouver Worth Every Step
With the start of long daylight hours and clear mountain views, there are not many summer activities in British Columbia better than hiking.
Vancouver is one of the few cities in the world where you can hike alpine peaks, watch stunning sunsets, swim in turquoise lakes, and chase waterfalls all within a short drive. Whether you're looking for a challenging mountain adventure or a relaxing day surrounded by nature, these five hikes offer some of the best summer experiences the area has to offer.
Mount Seymour Trail
In a classic Vancouver area for hiking, the Mount Seymour Trail offers one of the best summit hikes for those wanting to experience big mountain views without a long drive from the city. The trail begins at the Mount Seymour ski area parking lot and traverses three peaks. Many decide to stop at the first, more popular Pump Peak, but continuing to Mount Seymour Peak gives hikers a much better view of the mountains to the north.
The trail is relatively well marked, just make sure to look for orange markers on trees and rocks at each turn. The most difficult part of the hike comes after the second peak, heading towards Mount Seymour peak, as it requires some scrambling and can be fairly difficult if there is lingering snow on the trail. In early summer, there is still a relatively large amount of snow on it, so if you are looking for a snow-free experience, wait until July and August to complete this trail. Whether you stop at the first peak or continue to the final summit, you'll be rewarded with spectacular scenery every step of the way.
Distance: 9 km
Elevation Gain: 577 m
Difficulty: Moderate, can become hard if continuing to Seymour Peak in snowy conditions.
Highlight: Easily accessible big mountain views.
Slhanay Peak
If you’ve already hiked the famous Stawamus Chief or are just looking for a quieter alternative, then the Slhanay Peak trail is a great option. This trail climbs relatively steeply through lush forest and becomes more gradual as it continues before opening up to multiple stunning viewpoints of the Chief and Squamish Valley. This includes Tony’s lookout before continuing onwards to the summit.
While this hike isn’t very long, it can be challenging because of the elevation gain over this distance. The descent can often be more difficult since rugged terrain such as roots and loose rocks can make it slippery, so it is important to take your time. The trail is also not extremely well marked and has multiple turnoffs, so make sure to stop and ensure you are going the right way. Overall, this trail is generally less crowded than others in the area and offers unique perspectives of its neighboring Stawamus Chief.
Distance: 6.4 km
Elevation Gain: 642 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlight: Unique views of the Chief and surrounding area.
Quercus Point
Hikers looking for an easier and shorter hike should try the Quercus Lookout Trail. This trail showcases some diverse landscapes from forests to panoramic overlooks. Another great thing about this route is that it gives plenty of opportunities to slow down and just enjoy the surrounding scenery, as it’s often not very crowded. It follows alongside Browning Lake before a relatively steep climb to reach the top.
A great experience here is to watch the sunset at Quercus lookout. Bringing some food such as one of our Mountain Meals and enjoying it as the sun sets allows you to take in some of British Columbia’s natural beauty. If you are looking for impressive views without a long hike, this trail is a great option.
Distance: 1.6km
Elevation Gain: 112 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlight: Scenic viewpoint and relaxing outdoor experience.
Kennedy Falls
Often overlooked by nearby Norvan Falls, Kennedy Falls is a picturesque waterfall tucked away in the forests of North Vancouver. The trail winds through lush old-growth forests of massive cedar trees before reaching a beautiful waterfall cascading over rugged rocks. Hiking Kennedy Falls via the Cedar Tree Trail passes by a popular landmark known as Big Cedar, one of the largest remaining old-growth trees in the area.
This out and back trail’s difficulty is relatively moderate. While it is not strenuously long, much of the trail is relatively unmaintained, with a few sections requiring some scrambling or using your hands.
Overall, this trail has varied terrain with some loose rocks, roots, and muddy areas. That being said, compared to some other trails in the area, Kennedy Falls offers a quieter, more peaceful hiking experience.
Distance: 10.1 km
Elevation Gain: 426 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlight: Beautiful waterfall and old-growth forest.
Wedgemount Lake
If you're searching for one of the most breathtaking alpine lakes near Vancouver, Wedgemount Lake is a great option for you. Located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, this is a challenging hike which climbs steadily through dense forest before opening up to spectacular views of turquoise water surrounded by glaciers and rugged mountain peaks.
The trail is demanding, gaining significant elevation in a relatively short distance, but the reward at the top is worth it. If you are a hiker looking to explore even more of the area, consider continuing further to Tupper Lake for more adventure.
It is also popular to camp at Wedgemount Lake. For this, a reservation through BC Parks is required. Hiking the trail with a heavy backpack, of course, makes it more difficult, but seeing the sunrise the next morning is very rewarding. If you do choose to camp here, try some of our Mountain Meals, dehydrated meals where all you do is add boiling water to the bag, let it sit, and enjoy. Proper nutrition is crucial while hiking, so we make sure to pack our meals with everything you need on the trail.
Distance: 12.7 km
Elevation Gain: 1300 m
Difficulty: Hard
Highlight: Turquoise alpine lake and rugged mountain peaks.
