In the previous post, we talked about winter hikes in Toronto. Now, in this article, we’ve mentioned the 15 best winter hikes in Vancouver that every adventure lover should definitely explore.
Winter hiking is a wonderful opportunity to experience nature. There are countless amazing paths to explore in the Lower Mainland, Whistler area, and Metro Vancouver.
Despite the fact that cold weather keeps insects away and big predators slumber in their burrows, it is still crucial to practice safety and respect for the environment, especially during the winter when there are fewer daylight hours and colder temperatures.
If you enjoy hiking, you probably schedule many hikes during the pleasant seasons of spring through fall. Yet, just because it becomes winter doesn’t mean you have to quit hiking.
When you feel like going outside, there are many winter hikes in Vancouver that are convenient to get to and typically snow-free. Nothing beats getting out of the car on a journey from Seattle and loosening your muscles on a winter trek in Vancouver.
Check out these best winter hikes in Vancouver if you live nearby or intend to travel there in the near future.
Best Winter Hikes in Vancouver (In & Around Vancouver)
1. Lighthouse Park Hike
It is convenient to go on winter hikes in Vancouver, British Columbia, thanks to Lighthouse Park’s location in West Vancouver at the Burrard Inlet’s entrance.
The park is a great site to visit in January in Vancouver since it offers trekkers breathtaking panoramas of the Salish Sea, downtown Vancouver, and Stanley Park.
Discover the vast system of winter hiking paths in Vancouver, British Columbia, and relish the escape to the iconic lighthouse on the ocean.
The majority of the hikes are well-maintained and have little elevation changes.
- Location: Beacon Lane, West Vancouver
- Length: 5.7 kilometers
2. Rice Lake Hike
Rice Lake is part of a breathtaking natural area that also contains the picturesque Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and Lynn Canyon Park (with its suspension bridge).
If you’re searching for Vancouver winter hiking, the serene circle around the lake takes around an hour at a moderate pace.
While you soak in your surroundings, you will find tranquility as the walk circles Rice Lake.
- Location: Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver
- Length: 3 kilometers
3. Buntzen Lake Trail
This enjoyable 8-kilometer circular hike from Vancouver circles Buntzen Lake. The course is reasonably simple despite some modest elevation variations over the circle.
If you want to get away from the city but don’t want to deal with a lot of elevation increases, this is a great option.
About the whole length of the winter hike around Vancouver is spent along the water’s edge, and there are a number of beaches and observation platforms where you may pause to take in the unobstructed views.
The picnic area at the lake’s northern end serves as the trail’s high point.
- Location: Anmore
- Length: 8 kilometers
4. Whyte Lake Hike
A little, isolated lake called Whyte Lake is tucked away in West Vancouver’s hills. It would be simple to live in Vancouver your entire life and never even be aware of it.
Although the early part of the trek is steep, it rapidly levels out and is a simple hike overall. The vista over this lake tucked away among the trees from the wood dock is the highlight.
- Location: West Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Length: 4.9 kilometers
5. Norvan Falls Hike
In Vancouver, there is a long but largely level walking track that leads to Norvan Falls. If you want to do something relaxing and not too taxing, this trail is great.
On Vancouver’s North Shore, you can access Norvan Falls via Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.
The trail’s spectacular waterfall, which cascades into a lovely green lagoon at the bottom of the falls, is the trail’s high point.
The cascade flows year-round, however, this can be almost entirely frozen for some of the other winter days every winter, which really is beautiful to behold.
- Location: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
- Length: 14 kilometers
6. Pacific Spirit Regional Park Hike
It’s a stretch to consider this a trek, like a few of the other short, simple routes mentioned, but we had to add it because it’s a terrific place to go exploring in the winter.
You may spend hours ambling around this lovely old-growth forest because it is full of easy routes through the dense forest.
The infinite trails occasionally get fairly muddy, but that is to be anticipated in Vancouver during the wet winters.
Although the pathways wind through the forest, which can provide some reasonable protection from the elements, this can be a terrific area to visit when it is raining.
- Location: 5495 Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1E4, Canada
- Length: 8 kilometers
7. Bowen Lookout Hike
The ranking of the greatest snow-covered, stunning treks in Vancouver is headed by Bowen Lookout because it offers breathtaking views of Bowen Island and Howe Sound and is a very short hike from the trailhead. In Cypress Mountain, right by the Eagle Express chairlift, lies the trail leading to Bowen Overlook.
Prior to climbing steeply up some few bends to reach the overlook, the trail first weaves through a woodland.
The route leads up to a sizable viewing platform from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Howe Sound below. Given how quick and simple this trip is, it’s also a terrific spot to watch the sunset.
- Location: West Vancouver, BC V0N 1G0, Canada
- Length: 4.3 kilometers
8. Black Mountain
The route up Black Mountain in Cypress is one of Vancouver’s somewhat less well-known snowshoe routes.
The trailhead for Bowen Lookout is situated at the foot of the Eagle Express chairlift, which is also where this route runs parallel to the ski slope Maelle Ricker.
You can watch the snowboarders zooming off the ski slope right close to you as you make your way up Black Mountain, which is a somewhat steep climb.
You’ll have amazing views from the top, just like on all the hikes that go around Cypress Mountain.
If you have a ski pass, you can ride the Eagle Express chairlift to the summit and skip all the hard effort if you want to do it the lazy way.
- Location: Cypress Provincial Park
- Length: 3 kilometers
9. Snowshoe Grind Trail
One of the most well-known walks in Vancouver is The Grouse Grind, however, it is closed for a long time during the winter.
But, Grouse Mountain’s summit has a relatively new track known as the Snowshoe Grind. This small but steep trail resembles a miniature, snow-covered Grouse Grind.
You need a general admission park pass to ride the gondola to the top because this path is inside the Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park. Get your admission ticket to Grouse Mountain and enter the park.
- Location: Grouse Mountain
- Length: 4.3 kilometers
10. High Knoll Hike
Minnekhada Regional Park, which spans more than 200 hectares, features a fantastic system of low-elevation paths that meander through the woods and around a marshy area.
The Quarry Trail, Mid-Marsh Trail, Lodge Trail, and Fern Trail are the main hiking routes.
Moreover, you can ascend to the High Knoll observation to take in views of the Pitt River and the adjacent fields. When visiting Vancouver during the winter, this is a simple hike to experience.
- Location: Minnekhada Regional Park
- Length: 6.5 kilometers
11. Dinkey Peak Loop Hike
Dinkey Peak, which is accessible to people of all ability levels and is situated close to North Vancouver, British Columbia, offers the chance to witness animals.
Most people use the trail for trekking, running, and wildlife excursions.
One of the easiest winter treks nearby Vancouver is this quick loop trail, which starts at the same place as the Dog Mountain trail. It then turns northward in the opposite way, meets at First Lake, and turns around.
- Location: Mount Seymour
- Length: 1.4 kilometers
12. Lightning Lake Loop
This is one of Vancouver’s most beautiful winter loop trails. In Manning Provincial Park, the pine forests around Lightning Lake are lovely and otherworldly. Beautiful Lightning Lake is a well-liked location for park visitors.
Lightning Lake is actually simply one lake, divided into two pieces by a short waterway, despite the appearance of two lakes.
During the winter, hikers can complete a shorter loop by passing over the Rainbow Bridge at its closest point.
- Location: Manning Park
- Length: 8.5 kilometers
13. Brandywine Falls Trail
Due to the challenging trip to the trailhead, this trek near Vancouver is less crowded than comparable adjacent winter hikes around Vancouver.
It takes a long journey to get to the Brandywine Falls trailhead, which can be challenging in the winter.
Be careful while driving because there are many potholes on the service road from the Whistler Bungee Bridge to the falls.
A 25-minute drive will take you to this lovely winter hiking area from Squamish. The clearly marked trail crosses a wooden bridge on its way to Brandywine Falls.
It is a wonderful place to get some exercise on the way to or from Whistler and is dog and family-friendly.
- Location: Squamish
- Length: 1.2 kilometers
14. Tunnel Bluffs Hike
Just north of Lions Bay on the Sea To Sky Highway, a hike to Tunnel Bluffs begins. The vantage point at Tunnel Bluffs in Lions Bay offers some of the most breathtaking vistas during the winter.
Before embarking on your excursion, check the weather because this walk occasionally has snow on it.
The winter months are largely snow-free. It has to be among the best walks nearby Vancouver, British Columbia, and you can go on it any time of year.
By scheduling a weekend trip from Vancouver, you may also turn it into a holiday.
- Location: Squamish
- Length: 7.4 kilometers
15. Velodrome Trail
This quick hike, often known as Burnaby’s Grouse Grind, is a workout. To reach the top of Burnaby Mountain, which offers a fantastic view of Vancouver and the Kamui Mintara (Playground of the Gods) sculpture, you must ascend more than 500 stairs.
You may comfortably do a shortened version of the Grouse Grind in the winter on Burnaby’s Velodrome Trail.
Due to the extensive route system, mountain bikers and hikers both enjoy this trip in Vancouver. The Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, which surrounds Simon Fraser University, also has a large number of other routes.
- Location: Burnaby
- Length: 2.7 kilometers
Conclusion – Best Winter Hikes in Vancouver
We can undoubtedly say that these are the best winter hikes in Vancouver and would be pleased to recommend them to anyone, even if there are other options for winter trails within and around the city.
You can choose between extremely simple and difficult trails, as well as between hikes on snow-free or snow-covered terrain.
One of the best aspects of residing in Vancouver is that you can easily drive up into the hills to go hiking in the snow when it’s pouring elsewhere.
FAQs – Best Winter Hikes in Vancouver
1. What are the top tourist attractions in Vancouver?
Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Science World, Queen Elizabeth Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Canada Place, and Vancouver Art Gallery are the top tourist attractions in Vancouver.
2. What are the best places in Vancouver for couples?
Whytecliff Park, Stanley Park, The Seawall, Robson Square Ice Rink, and Sunset Beach are the best places in Vancouver for couples.
3. What are the best places in Vancouver for solo travelers?
Vancouver Art Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery, Burnaby Village Museum, Granville Island, and The Seawall are the best places in Vancouver for solo travelers.
4. What are the famous foods in Vancouver?
Japadog, B.C. rolls, salmon candy, spot prawns, West Coast oysters, Dungeness crab, Chinese cuisine, and dim sum are a few of the city of Vancouver’s well-known dishes.
5. What is Vancouver known for?
Vancouver is renowned throughout the world as one of the best locations to live in addition to being a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful scenery, comfortable climate, and hospitable locals.