Top 6 Spots for Winter Hiking in Vancouver
If you're looking for a snowy adventure or a peaceful winter walk with beautiful views, hiking in Vancouver BC has you covered. Walking through the mountains, inside the forest, or along the ocean is one of the best things to do on a crisp winter day.
To help you plan your next adventure, we've gathered a list of six of the best areas for a winter hike in and around Vancouver.
Tips for Winter Hiking in Vancouver
Before heading out into the cold, it's important to prepare for winter hiking conditions.
- It's much colder in the mountains than in the city, and Vancouver's weather can change quickly. Dress in layers, including a waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, a warm hat, and waterproof hiking boots. Avoid jeans and cotton clothing because they won't keep you warm if they get wet.
- Stay safe out there. AdventureSmart has a great list of safety and first aid gear you should bring on every hike.
- Make sure you leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.
- Bring the right gear. Check trail conditions on AllTrails to get an idea of what to expect. Low-elevation trails near the city will rarely have snow, but for trails in the mountains, you will need spikes or snowshoes. You can buy or rent both at shops in the city or on the mountains.
- Brush up on our list of tips for winter hiking in Vancouver for more advice.
Snowy Hikes in the Mountains
Dog Mountain
- Trail difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: Pay parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Access the trail via the top parking lot at Mount Seymour Park.
- Transit: Not serviced by public transit. The shuttle bus runs during the winter only.
Dog Mountain Trail in Mount Seymour Provincial Park is one of the most popular winter hikes in Vancouver. The rolling trail winds through the snowy forest to one of the most picture-perfect views overlooking the city. Plan to spend two to three hours on the 5 km trail. Since this trail is high in the mountains, you will need spikes if it hasn't snowed recently or snowshoes if there is fresh snow.
Grouse Mountain
- Trail difficulty: Easy to Difficult
- Parking: Paid parking lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Transit: Ride #236 bus from theLonsdale Quay to Grouse Mountain in ~25 minutes. From Phibbs Exchange, take #232 bus. Visit the Translink website for more details.
Grouse Mountain has several great winter hiking options near Vancouver. Ride the gondola to the top, then choose your adventure. If you're looking for something mellow with great scenery, wander along the 1.5 km Blue Grouse Loop. At night, part of it transforms into the Light Walk, with thousands of twinkling lights. Spikes or snowshoes are helpful to keep your footing in the snow.
If you want a challenge, take on the Snowshoe Grind. This steep trail climbs to the top of Dam Mountain. Fit hikers can expect to take about 1 to 2 hours. Snowshoes are required. The Grouse Mountain winter map shows options for casual strolls, strenuous snowshoeing adventures, and everything in between.
Sea to Sky Gondola
- Trail difficulty: Easy to Difficult
- Parking: Paid parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Transit: From the Lower Mainland, you can take the Squamish Connector shuttle service to the gondola base.
Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola up to a winter wonderland in Squamish, about one hour north of Vancouver. At the top, you’ll find yourself at the foot of some of the best hiking trails in BC. Breathaking views can be found along every turn, from beginner-friendly strolls to more adventurous backcountry routes.
Don't miss their signature hike, the Panorama Trail. The 1.3 km loop takes 30 to 60 minutes and includes a lofty viewing platform offering incredible views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains. You can rent spikes or snowshoes at the top of the gondola to give you a better grip on the snowy trail.
Snow-Free Hikes with Winter Views
Stanley Park
- Trail difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Parking: Paid parking is available in numerous lots and spots throughout the park on a first-come, first-served basis. See the Stanley Park parking map to plan your trip.
- Transit: TransLink's #19 bus will take you from downtown to Stanley Park. See the TransLink website for more information.
Go for a hike without leaving the city. The paved seawall around the perimeter of downtown's Stanley Park has great views of the snowy North Shore Mountains. If you're looking for more nature, hike the gravel trails through the forested interior of the park. You can use the trails to visit viewpoints like Prospect Point Lighthouse and the lookout platform above Siwash Rock. This little-known spot can be accessed via the Siwash Rock Trail and Merilees Trail. Use the park map to plan your route.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- Trail difficulty: Easy
- Parking: There are plenty of free parking spaces at the entrances around the park.
- Transit: Public transit is available for visitors coming from across the Lower Mainland. Plan your route on the Translink website.
Explore over 55 kilometres of trails at Pacific Spirit Regional Park at the western edge of Vancouver. The tree-lined paths stay snow-free and are the perfect spot for some forest bathing. If you're looking for dreamy winter views, follow the trails down to Acadia or Spanish Banks Beaches to admire the snowy peaks of the North Shore Mountains across Burrard Inlet. The trail network can be tricky, so use the park map to find your way.
Lighthouse Park
- Trail difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Parking: Pay parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Transit: The park is easily accessible from downtown Vancouver via the #250 Hoseshoe Bay bus. Plan your route on the Translink website.
Walk through the old-growth forest and along the ocean at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. There are lots of great viewpoints to explore. From East Beach, you can gaze across Burrard Inlet to downtown Vancouver. On clear days, you can see the snowy dome of Mount Baker to the south in Washington. Or head to Juniper Point for views of Bowen Island and the mountains of Howe Sound. Use the park map to design your own route.
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