North Shore

Kyle Pearce / Flickr

Quarry Rock

What: A classic North Shore hike, up wooden stairs, over tree roots and small creeks, among Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees, to a rocky outcrop and beautiful views of Deep Cove.

How long: 1.5 hours or 3.8 km

Where: Starts and ends at the Baden Powell Trailhead – Panorama Drive, Deep Cove

Lighthouse Park

What: Lots of short, easy trails offering breathtaking ocean views, huge, old-growth Western Red Cedars and the picturesque picnic spot of Starboat Cove.

How long: Up to 2 hours or 6 km

Where: Starts and ends at Lighthouse Park parking lot – Beacon Lane, West Vancouver.

Capilano Pacific Park

What: This trail follows the Capilano River, taking you from pavement, rocky shores and beaches past steep cliffs and through thick rainforest to the imposing Cleveland Dam.

How long: 2 hours or 7.5 km

Where: Starts at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver, finishes at the Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver.

Lynn Loop

What: Enjoy a forest hike among Cedar and Hemlock trees, with views of Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands, then stroll back along the gushing waters of Lynn Creek.

How long: 1.5 hours or 5.1 km

Where: Starts and ends in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver.

Cypress Falls

What: This easy hike takes you along Cypress Creek, through forests of moss-covered, old-growth trees, past views of two gorgeous waterfalls as they pour into the canyon below.

How long: 1.5 hours or 3 km

Where: Trail starts and ends at Cypress Falls Park – Woodgreen Place, West Vancouver.

Hanes Valley Trail

What: A scenic, but extremely difficult North Shore trail.

How long: 8.5 hours or 16 km

Where: Take exit 21 to Mountain Highway in North Vancouver.

Burnaby

Burnaby Lake

What: Burnaby Lake is the largest lake in Metro Vancouver and boasts a 10 kilometre hiking path that loops around the entire park.

How long: 2 hours or 10 km

Where: Trail starts and ends at Burnaby Lake – Burnaby

Burnaby Mountain

What: With multiple trails to choose from, there’s no shortage of hiking potential on Burnaby Mountain. Each trail has its own difficulty rating, so choose accordingly.

How long: Up to 3 hours or 7 km

Where: Starts from the eastern edge of Pipeline Trail – Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby

Deer Lake

What: A flat, easy walk that circles Deer Lake and passes by a beach, a viewing tour, and a pier. Great scenery to be had all around.

How long: An hour or 5 km

Where: Starts at the east side of the lake along Sperling Avenue – Deer Lake, Burnaby

Velodrome Trail

What: This steep trail is sometimes referred to as Burnaby’s [Grouse] Grind and requires hikers to walk up more than 500 wooden stairs. As a result, it gets an “intermediate” rating.

How long: An hour or 3 km

Where: Starts near Barnet Highway and finishes at the Japanese totem poles near Horizon Restaurant.

Vancouver

Image: Stanley Park via Shutterstock

Foreshore Trail

What: One of the few trails in Vancouver, this one follows the west side of UBC and passes through Wreck Beach. This trail can be challenging during high tide.

How long: 3 hours or 5 km

Where: Pacific Spirit Regional Park – UBC, Vancouver

Stanley Park

What: The quintessential Vancouver hike through a beautiful urban park. Stanley Park is full of many networks of trails for both cycling and hiking.

How long: 2 hours or 6.5 km

Where: Starts near the Rose Garden and loops back around – Stanley Park, Vancouver

Fraser Valley

Image: Sumas Mountain / Shutterstock

Hayward Lake

What: A scenic hike offered north of Mission with trails maintained by BC Hydro.

How long: 5.5 hours or 17 km

Where: Start at Hayward Lake Recreation Area parking lot and loop around – Hayward Lake, Mission

Mount Thom

What: This Chilliwack mountain offers a scenic view of Cultus Lake and the Fraser Valley.

How long: 2.5 hours or 10 km

Where: Starts at Sylvan Drive – Promontory neighbourhood, Chilliwack

Mount Cheam

What: Another Chilliwack favourite, Mount Cheam offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Chilliwack, the Fraser River, Jones Lake, and even Mount Baker.

How long: 4.5 hours or 9.5 km

Where: Access point is located along the highway to Chilliwack Lake – Chilliwack

Elk Mountain

What: Enjoy views of Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, and the surrounding Fraser Valley area.

How long: 4 hours or 7 km

Where: Head up along Elk View Road until it turns into gravel. Find the clearing on the left and park.

Sumas Mountain

What: One of the Fraser Valley’s most familiar mountains, it’s located along the north side of the Trans Canada Highway between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

How long: 6.5 hours or 13.5 km

Where: Continue along Sumas Road until it turns to gravel and look for the coloured trail markers.

Ridge Meadows

Image: Golden Ears Provincial Park / Shutterstock

Kanaka Creek Riverfront

What: An easy walk that’s popular with local residents and dog walkers.

How long: 1 hour or 2.5 km

Where: Turn right on River Road, cross train tracks, and pull into gravel parking lot on the right.

Mike Lake

What: A short, scenic trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park.

How long: 45 minutes or 2 km

Where: About 4.5 km from the gates of Golden Ears Provincial Park – Maple Ridge

Gold Creek Falls

What: Short hike that’s perfect for the beginning of the season or in combination with camping.

How long: 2 hours or 5.5 km

Where: Near Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge.

Golden Ears

What: The hike to go on in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Challenging, but you’re rewarded with spectacular views.

How long: 12 hours or 24 km

Where: Stay on Golden Ears Parkway until it becomes a dirt road, turn left at West Canyon parking lot.

Widgeon Falls

What: This trail allows you to combine a scenic hike with a canoe ride at the end. Canoe rentals are available in somewhat limited supply.

How long: 5 hours or 6 km

Where: Follow Neaves Road for 12 kilometres and keep your eyes peeled for a canoe rental shop.

Surrey and Langley

Image: Metro Vancouver Regional District

Tynehead Regional Park

What: Great for cycling, picnics, and dog walking.

How long: 1.5 hours or 4.5 km

Where: Drive south on 176th Street and turn right on 96th Avenue and travel for about two kilometres.

Aldergrove Regional Park

What: Popular among families for its easy trails and scenic views.

How long: 2 hours or 5 km

Where: Follow 272nd Street south and then turn right on 8th Avenue.

Campbell Valley Regional Park

What: Great for horseback riding and exploring.

How long: 1.5 hours or 4 km

Where: Cross the Port Mann Bridge and take exit 58.

Tri Cities

Image: Metro Vancouver Regional District

Swan Falls Viewpoint 

What: Follow the Buntzen Lake trail and leads to a stunning view of a waterfall.

How long: 3.5 hours or 10 km

Where: Drive to the Buntzen Lake recreation area and follow signs for the dogs off-leash area.

Admiralty Point

What: A short hike that offers gorgeous views of Mount Seymour, Deep Cove, and Burnaby Mountain.

How long: 1.5 hours or 5 km

Where: Belcarra Regional Park, Port Moody.

Dilly Dally Loop

What: A very challenging hike around Buntzen Lake.

How long: 12 hours or 25 km

Where: Buntzen Lake, Port moody.

Source: Vancity Buzz