Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park, is an amazing hiking and snowshoeing trail. The Hollyburn trailhead is an astonishingly close, 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. The 30 minutes is quite something as well. From the always beautiful crossing of the Lions Gate Bridge, to the incredible views of Vancouver from the approach drive to Cypress Mountain and the Hollyburn Mountain trailhead.
Beautiful drive to get thereStunning views at the summitSome great views from the trailNot too hard, kid friendlyFun, free winter snowshoe trailDog friendly year-roundMany more trails in Cypress ParkTrail is almost always sun facingOne of the best Vancouver views
Snow persists well into June
Black Mountain 
Brunswick Mountain 
Burnaby Lake 
Burnaby Mountain Coliseum Mountain Crown Mountain Cypress Falls Deeks Peak Deep Cove Deer Lake Dog Mountain 
Goat Mountain Goldie Lake 
Grouse Hollyburn Mountain Kitsilano Beaches Lighthouse Park Lynn Canyon Lynn Peak Mt Elsay Mt Fromme 
Mt Hanover Mt Harvey Mt Seymour Mt Strachan Mystery Lake Pacific Spirit 
Rice Lake St Mark's Stanley Park The Lions Unnecessary
You would almost expect that there would be various fees for parking, trail use, etc. But the Hollyburn Mountain trail is completely free. No charge for parking or trail use. Also, dogs are welcome and you will likely be able to park within a few metres of the trailhead. As if it couldn't get better, it does... the trail is so well marked that it can easily be done after dark, as many do. What a perfect escape from the city. A perfect mountain escape to a towering mountain paradise far above the big city below. The city lights are amazing. From the lights of the Lions Gate Bridge, to the beautifully bright tankers, to the wondrously glowing Vancouver towers. This hike has it all. Great views, easy hike, convenient times to use, and of course free. Hiking or snowshoeing Hollyburn Mountain is yet another spectacular piece of the whole amazing Vancouver experience. Hollyburn Mountain is easily done in a half day trip from Vancouver as it is quite close and quite a short hike/snowshoe, at only 7k roundtrip. Go early for the amazing sunrise, or late in the day for the unbelievable sunset. The Hollyburn Mountain trail is very well marked with light reflecting, neon orange, 6 foot tall marker poles, only a few metres apart most of the way. Though the trail is a fairly constant uphill it is a relatively short trail. Most make it to the summit of Hollyburn in an hour from the trailhead. Coming down is quite a bit faster and you will see people using crazy carpets on the trail in the winter. In the summer with no snow, your downward pace will be quite fast as compared to uphill. If you plan to hike or snowshoe Hollyburn Mountain after dark, make sure you have a light and a backup light. The trail marker poles only reflect light, so you could easily lose the trail without lights after dark.
The amazing views from the summit of Hollyburn Mountain include, the Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Howe Sound and Georgia Straight, the Lions, and quite a lot else. Hollyburn Mountain is one of the highest around and the view is a panoramic 360. The drive to and from Hollyburn Mountain is amazing. If you are not too excited about hiking or snowshoeing, the drive alone is well worth it. There are a couple great places to stop on the drive up. Both have nice parking areas perched on the edge of the mountain along the road. Picnic tables and nice information boards to go with the spectacular views.
The Hollyburn Mountain trailhead is very easy to find. It is found at the cross country skiing area of Cypress Mountain Resort in West Vancouver. From downtown Vancouver follow the signs across the Lions Gate Bridge as if you were going to Whistler. From Highway #1/Sea to Sky Highway #99, about 10 minutes from the Lions Gate Bridge take the #8 Exit to Cypress Provincial Park. There are clear signs on the highway for this exit so you can't miss it. Follow Cypress Bowl Rd almost to Cypress Mountain Resort. As you near the resort you will see a huge sign on your right directing you to the "Cross-Country Skiing Area". Turn right here and drive for about 100 metres and you will see parking, and on the left side you will see big wooden map kiosk and the hiking/snowshoeing trail head up to the left, running parallel to the huge power lines. There is lots of free parking, washrooms and a snack store as well as snowshoe rentals here.
