Looking for some easy hikes in Vancouver? We’ve created a list of the best beginner hikes in Vancouver if you’re not a big hiker but want to enjoy Canadian nature! Some of these trails include waterfalls, impressive views and a chance to see wildlife.
Vancouver is a nature-lovers dream with beautiful mountains, urban parks and amazing viewpoints. From the city centre, it’s not hard to spend a day completely surrounded by forests and the great outdoors. It’s the perfect place to live if you love the city and mountains.
We spent one year living in the city and found the best beginner hikes in Vancouver for those lovely Sunday mornings. Honestly, we dream about these hikes and can’t wait to come back to explore more!
Hikes don’t have to be hard to be enjoyable, some of our favourite hikes in Vancouver are rated easy-moderate and we’re so excited to share them with you.
The public transport system in Vancouver makes it easy to explore some of the most beautiful trails in the area. However, some of these hikes are easier to reach by car.
At the end of this easy hikes in Vancouver list, we’re going to include a few that are rated ‘hard’ but as we’re beginners, we think they’re achievable for newbie hikers if you take your time. Let’s explore the best easy hikes in Vancouver!
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12 Easy Hikes in Vancouver
In no particular order, here’s our list of the 12 best easy hikes in Vancouver for you to explore!
1. Stanley Park
The beautiful urban park next to downtown Vancouver has to make it on our best easy hikes in Vancouver list. It’s about five times larger than Central Park in New York City with Stanley Park coming in at 405 hectares!
We spent countless weekends in Stanley Park cycling and walking around the various trails, with one of our favourites being the long route around the seawall.
Around the seawall, you can find incredible beaches, views of North Vancouver and the bridge, the remarkable totem poles and the mermaid sitting on a rock. Here are some of the trails you can do in Stanley Park for beginner hikes in Vancouver:
- Stanley Park Seawall trail – takes about 2 hours to complete
- Beaver Lake & Inner Stanley Park – up to 2 hours walking around the centre
- Lost Lagoon & Rose Garden – a lovely 40-minute walk in the south of Stanley Park
- Prospect Viewpoint – exploring the many trails to the viewpoint takes under 2 hours.
2. Jug Island Beach Trail
Another one of the best beginner hikes in Vancouver is the trail to Jug Island. The Jug Island Beach Trail is a rewarding hike with a walk through the forest, a beach and the surrounding views of the water and Jug Island.
The trail is easy to follow with some rocky terrain and many ups and downs, but it’s still a good hike for a beginner. Once you arrive at Jug Island Beach, you follow the same path back.
- Time: around 2 hours
- Length of the hike: 5 km
- Elevation Gain: 221 m
- Route: Out & back
We did this hike in the summer months and the car park fills up fast! After reading the reviews on Google Maps, lots of people suggested arriving before 9 am and they weren’t wrong! We were lucky to grab a spot just after 8 am.
The parking lot is also used for the Belcarra Picnic Area and it’s a popular place to set up for the day. There’s also a small fee to park here, but it’s the best option to hike the Jug Island Trail.
Most of the parking lots next to the easy hikes in Vancouver fill up quite fast, so it’s always best to arrive early or late afternoon. Here’s the starting point for the hike!
Bring a Mini First Aid Kit on your travels! You never know what could happen, even on an easy hike in Vancouver.
3. Lynn Canyon Loop
Lynn Canyon Park is the largest park in North Vancouver with many beautiful trails, wildlife and interests to see. When we visited, we spotted an eagle (which is quite common in Vancouver) and it was the first easy hike in Vancouver that we took our mirrorless camera, which we still use to this day!
When walking around the forest, look out for the lakes, suspension bridge and the incredible 30-foot pool. If you’re visiting in the summer it’s possible to swim in these lakes, but be very careful! Here’s what to look out for:
- Rice Lake
- Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
- 30 Foot Pool
- Twin Lakes
This beginner hike in Vancouver doesn’t come with much elevation and there aren’t any viewpoints other than the beautiful park itself with the lovely lakes and pools to see.
- Time: around 1-1.5 hours
- Length of the hike: 2.6 km
- Elevation Gain: 108 m
- Route: Loop
There’s a long stretch of stairs to reach the 30-foot pool, but most of the trail is flat! It’s also open all year round which is perfect for easy trails in the winter. Find the hike here!
4. Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge Trail
This easy hike is just a short drive away from Vancouver located in Murrin Provincial Park. It’s closer to Squamish but had to make it on our beginner hikes in Vancouver list due to rating high on our favourites list!
Murrin Provincial Park is just next to the highway with a parking lot and you can see Browning Lake from the roadside. The Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge trail start from the lake and you gain elevation pretty fast to make it to the most incredible views.
The most important part to know about this easy hike is that there’s quite a bit of scrambling on the way back to the lake. The viewpoint is amazing, but from there you have to climb some ropes and hiking shoes are recommended.
- Time: around 1 hour
- Length of the hike: 2.4 km
- Elevation Gain: 162 m
- Route: Loop
The trail is quite short so we think it’s still classed as one of the easy hikes to do in Vancouver, although just be extra careful going down. It’s also best to follow All Trails as there are not a lot of signs marking the trial. Start your hike here!
Also check out our Top 25 Things to do in Vancouver, Canada!
5. Lighthouse Park Viewpoint Trail
Lighthouse Park is located in West Vancouver just before the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s a very easy hike and has lovely views of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.
- Time: around 1 hour
- Length of the hike: 3.4 km
- Elevation Gain: 131 m
- Route: Loop
The loop trail has a few out-and-back trails going off of it where you can find the best viewpoints in the park.
The Lighthouse Park trail starts through the forest and leads you to the coastal rock where the Point Atkinson Lighthouse is located.
We definitely think it’s one of the underrated hikes to do in Vancouver and you can also get there by the 250 Horseshoe Bay bus. Here’s the location of the park!
6. Iona Jetty Trail
A very unique easy trail in Vancouver is the Iona Jetty Trail in Iona Regional Park. It’s located in the southwest of Vancouver near the airport and consists of one long paved trail heading into the ocean.
- Time: around 1.5 hours
- Length of the hike: 8.2 km
- Elevation Gain: 11 m
- Route: Out & Back
The Iona Jetty Trail is surprisingly long and will take just over an hour to complete. It’s a great spot to find eagles and watch the sunset in the evening. It can also get pretty windy in the area due to the lack of cover. Here’s the starting point!
7. Saint Marks Summit
We’ve included Saint Marks Summit on our easy hikes in Vancouver list as it’s definitely achievable for beginners if you take it easy. It’s quite a long hike which may put people off, but the views are absolutely incredible.
- Time: around 4 hours
- Length of the hike: 10 km
- Elevation Gain: 570 m
- Route: Out & Back
Saint Marks Summit is located in Cypress Provincial Park next to one of the ski slopes. The best time to visit Saint Marks Summit is in the summer months from May to September as the snow can take over the mountains in the winter season.
If you want to hike in the snow, snowshoes are highly recommended! The first part of the hike is mostly flat, but the last 1km is the most challenging with some climbing involved.
If you are a complete beginner to hiking, we recommend choosing this one after a few other easy hikes on this list. Here’s the location!
Don’t forget a Stainless Steel Water Bottle on your Vancouver hikes!
8. Quarry Rock Hike
Quarry Rock is located in the beautiful Deep Cove in North Vancouver. It’s a large rock that’s only a short hike away from the main area of Deep Cove. The views are incredible!
As this beginner hike in Vancouver is easy to get to, it can get very busy! We recommend arriving before 9 am to avoid crowds. The perfect way to way to end the hike is with an ice cream or lunch in one of Deep Cove’s beautiful restaurants.
- Time: around 1 hour
- Length of the hike: 4 km
- Elevation Gain: 205 m
- Route: Out & Back
Deep Cove is also a great spot for kayaking if you still have some energy left! Here’s the start!
9. Bunzten Lake Trail
Another one of the best easy hikes to do in Vancouver that’s open all year round is the Bunzten Lake Trail. This is a great beginner hike as the trail follows the lake with various ups and downs along the way.
The entire hike is within the forest with lake views along the way and there’s also a suspension bridge! It’s the best Sunday morning hike to do at your own pace.
- Time: around 3 hours
- Length of the hike: 10.5 km
- Elevation Gain: 301 m
- Route: Loop
Head to Buntzen Lake Recreational Area to start your hike – it’s the perfect place to have a picnic once you’ve finished the trail.
Whilst hiking the Bunzten Lake Trail, you’ll also come across Diez Vistas & Lake Buntzen Loop which is a harder hike but offers amazing views of the surrounding area. Here’s the trailhead!
10. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
This is the only hike on this list that you have to pay to enter, however, the hike comes with an experience!
The long suspension bridge is the main attraction, but there are bridges in the trees and more attractions to find! It’s one of the most glamorous easy hikes in Vancouver!
Capilano Suspension Bridge comes alive in the Christmas season, with beautiful lights hanging all around the park and on the treetops.
- Time: spend around 2 hours here
- Length of the hike: 1.8 km
- Elevation Gain: 81 m
- Route: Loop
Tickets are slightly cheaper online, so it’s best to buy them in advance. Find Capilano Suspension Bridge Tickets here! It is quite pricey, just bare that in mind. Here’s the location.
Tip – If you’re a resident of BC, you can visit again for free!
11. Sasamat Lake
Sasamat Lake is close to the Jug Island Trail in Belcarra Regional Park. It’s a really easy and flat trail in Vancouver that has scenic views of the lake and surroundings (Vancouver has some of the best nature).
- Time: around 1 hour
- Length of the hike: 3.1 km
- Elevation Gain: 38 m
- Route: Loop
It’s possible to complete the hike in 45 minutes as the lake isn’t very big, but add in some extra time to take photos and it can easily last 1.5 hours!
If the weather is nice, chill at White Pine Beach after the hike. It can get very popular in the summer! Here’s the location of the lake.
There are also amazing hikes on the Sunshine Coast - Check out our 3 Day Itinerary on the Sunshine Coast!
12. Pacific Spirit Park
Pacific Spirit Park is one of the easiest Vancouver hikes without a car due to the park being surrounded by accessible public transport.
The park is near West Point Grey and UBC and it’s possible to continue the hike all the way down to Spanish Banks Beach for amazing beach and water views. Here’s the location of the park.
Once you’re in Pacific Spirit Park it’s easy to get lost as there are so many different trails! Here are a few we recommend:
- Huckleberry – Hemlock – Salish – Imperial (Loop)
- Spanish Bank Park Trail (Loop)
- Spanish Banks and Jericho Beach Coastal Trail (Out & Back)
We’ve now come to the end of our 12 best beginner hikes in Vancouver, but there are a few more we want to mention and then we’ll share some extra info!
More easy hikes in Vancouver:
- Dog Mountain
- Burnaby Lake
- Norvan Falls
- Lower Gold Creek Falls Trail
- Rocky Point Park
- Eagleridge Bluffs via Black Mountain Trail
Check out these Top 25 Things to do in Vancouver, Canada!
Easy Hikes in Vancouver Packing List
- Osprey 26-Litre Hiking Pack – Make sure you bring a comfortable bag on your hike!
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Bring a reusable water bottle on your Vancouver hikes!
- Anker Power Bank – An easy portable charger so you don’t run out of battery.
- Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat that you can carry in your day bag.
- Mini First Aid Kit – We’ve used this so many times on our hikes in Vancouver.
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – We absolutely love our Joby GorillaPod to take independent photos and use it for our Sony A600. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod too!
Tips for Hiking in Vancouver
- Leave No Trace
- Make sure someone knows where you’re going
- Be prepared for any meetings with wildlife and research about bear encounters
- If it’s your first hike in Vancouver, take it easy, it’s not a race!
- Research reviews on All Trails for the most recent reviews
- Bring the right gear & comfortable hiking shoes (or trainers)
- Find the best hiking leggings for your trip!
Best time for Easy Hikes in Vancouver
The best time of year to go on easy hikes in Vancouver is from April to October when the weather is warm.
However as Vancouver has a mild climate all year round, most of the hikes on this list are possible all year round. Some of the trails (especially in the mountains) will experience snow, so it’s definitely important to gear up for a winter hike.
In the spring months, the hikes have beautiful wildflowers and nature starts to come alive in the summer season. This is also the busiest time to find beginner hikes in Vancouver as everyone loves the warmer weather.
Fall is a great time to hike in Vancouver and the foilage is so lovely! Vancouver is the perfect place to live to find incredible hikes all year round. Remember – the city does rain a lot, so always bring a rain jacket with you!
Is Vancouver good for hiking?
Vancouver is amazing for hiking! Nature is one of the main selling points for living in this beautiful city. Vancouver has great access to some beginner hikes in Vancouver and there are also many difficult trails too.
From hiking in the mountains or long trails in the city centre, there are many different hikes to discover in Vancouver and it’s a nature lovers’ paradise!
What is the easiest mountain hike in Vancouver?
Dog Mountain or Saint Marks Summit are the easiest mountain hikes in Vancouver.
Dog Mountain is in Seymour Provincial Park and Saint Marks Summit is in Cypress Provincial Park which is two out of three of Vancouver’s mountains. If you’ve heard of the Grouse Grind, it’s classed as a difficult hike in Vancouver and it’s a bit strenuous for a beginner.
Where to stay in Vancouver
- Samesun Vancouver $$ – A cosy hostel in the heart of downtown, with free breakfast! –Find the Booking.com link here!
- YWCA Hotel Vancouver $$ – A modern hotel with private rooms right in the centre of downtown Vancouver – Find the Booking.com link here!
- Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park $$-$$$ – The easiest access to Stanley Park in Vancouver – Find the Booking.com link here!
More Canada guides:
- Top 25 Things to do in Vancouver, Canada
- The Best 3-Month Road Trip in Canada Itinerary
- A Perfect Bowen Island Day Trip
- Camping at Golden Ears in the Rain
- The Best 3 Days on the Sunshine Coast
- 3 Days in Toronto on a Budget
- The Best 10 Day Ontario Road Trip Itinerary (2024)
- All Canada posts:
That’s the end of The 12 Best Easy Hikes in Vancouver, Canada! Have the best time hiking in Vancouver and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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