Squamish sits in the midst of some amazing places to hike. Garibaldi Provincial Park sprawls from Squamish up and beyond Whistler. Tantalus Provincial Park lays across the valley to the west and the beautiful and desolate, by comparison, Callaghan Valley to the north.
GaribaldiProvincialPark
Garibaldi Provincial Park wraps around Squamish and is home to some amazing hiking trails. Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk and Elfin Lakes are all wonderful hiking destinations in this extraordinary Provincial Park so close to Squamish.
This beautifully forested hiking trail is a local favourite running route comparable to the Grouse Grind. In 4.5k the trail rises 730 metres and hardly ever in a straight line. There are a few good viewpoints on the hike to Lynn Peak. It is convenient hiking trail, close to downtown Vancouver as it is only about a 30 minute drive away into the magnificent rainforest of North Van.
From the trailhead at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park you will see a sign for the Lynn Loop Trail, there are maps here or click on the map to the right and print it out from the Lynn Headwaters Regional Parks site. You don't really need a map for Lynn Peak. You simply get on the Lynn Loop Trail and look for the sign for Lynn Peak shortly after the trailhead. The trail winds and ascends quickly from here for the 4k to the summit and the fantastic views. The Lynn Valley has an amazing array of hiking possibilities. From the easy Cedars Mill Trail, Lynn Loop Trail and the Headwaters Trail that run along the picturesque Lynn Creek to the more difficult and challenging peaks such as difficult Coliseum Mountain and the less challenging though still a great workout you get from Lynn Peak. The Lynn Headwaters Trail continues to the beautiful Norvan Falls, and if you are motivated to Lynn Lake, 15k from the trailhead at Lynn Headwaters Park.
The Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is actually part of a giant circular hiking/trail running route that connects it to Grouse Mountain and the tremendously popular Grouse Grind via the 8.6k Baden Powell Trail. The circular route is about 30k and potentially includes the Grouse Grind, Dam Mountain, Goat Mountain, Crown Mountain, Lynn Lake, Norvan Falls, Coliseum Mountain as well as Lynn Peak on the amazing route.
Stanley Park in downtown Vancouver is a beautiful and astoundingly huge network of hiking/walking/biking trails. An estimated 8 million hikers, walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists visit the park yearly. The ...
Crown Mountain, visible from downtown Vancouver, towers behind Grouse Mountain. It was appropriately named due to its crown shape over 150 years ago by an English captain charting the area. This very ...
Coliseum Mountain is one of several beautiful hikes in the Lynn Valley's beautiful Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. It's not terribly difficult, but it is very long. 12 kilometres from the trailhead to the ...
The busy Mount Seymour trail in Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a locals favourite. It is challenging and an excellent workout at 4 kilometres from the trailhead to the summit. The views are phenomenal. On a ...
Brew Lake is beautiful mountain lake just a short drive south of Whistler and is relatively unknown and seldom hiked. Laying at the base of Mount Brew, Brew Lake lays in a massive alpine valley of enormous erratics. ...
Levette Lake is a nice mountain lake located in the enormous Squamish Valley that drains the Squamish River into Howe Sound. There are some nice views and minimal elevation gain along the trail. The amazing ...
Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Park is an absolutely phenomenal, though long, hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing trail that begins at the Diamond Head area in Squamish. From downtown Squamish, the trailhead is ...
The High Falls Creek hike is a great hike not only for the beautiful scenery in and around the trail, but the drive to it as well. The often passed by Squamish Valley Road, opposite the Alice Lake Provincial ...
The Kitsilano beaches begin as soon as you cross the Burrard Bridge and enter the residential paradise of Kitsilano. Though only this first beach is named Kitsilano Beach, you can walk from one beach to the ...
St Mark's Summit is a relatively easy way to get hiking deep into Vancouver's amazing mountains. Starting this hike at Cypress means you drive most of the elevation. Even though you still have another ...
Burnaby Lake Regional Park has a series of trails that add up to 9 kilometres if done in a circular route around the lake. There are in fact 19 kilometres of trails in the park. The various trails include ...
Goat Mountain is a beautiful mountain to hike from Grouse Mountain. It is challenging at times but fairly relaxing overall. It is just 4k from the Grouse Mountain Chalet and should only take 3-4 hours ...