Vancouver Hiking Trails RatingEveryone knows the Grouse Grind as the fantastically popular 2.9 kilometre workout in Vancouver.  What is less known is that it is the gateway, or rather back door to some amazing hiking in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Dam Mountain, Goat Mountain, Crown Mountain, Norvan Falls, Coliseum Mountain, Lynn Peak and quite a lot more lay across the horizon from the top of the Grind.

  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProSkyride is fun & scenic
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProLots to do at the top
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProThe grizzly bears are amazing!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProEye of the Wind is amazing!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProDining choices are amazing!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProYou can paraglide from the top!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProChairlift ride to more views!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProFree disc golf course
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProGrouse Grind is legendary & free
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ConSome find the Skyride expensive

Hike in Vancouver

Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBlack Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBrunswick Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBurnaby Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBurnaby Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverColiseum Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverCrown Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverCypress Falls Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeeks Peak Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeep Cove Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeer Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDog Mountain Moderately Steep Pay Use Trail - Hike in VancouverGoat Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverGoldie Lake Steep Trail - Hike in VancouverGrouse Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverHollyburn Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverKitsilano Beaches Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLighthouse Park Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLynn Canyon Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLynn Peak Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Elsay Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Fromme Very Steep Technical Terrain - Hike in VancouverMt Hanover Very Steep Technical Terrain - Hike in VancouverMt Harvey Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Seymour Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Strachan Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMystery Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverPacific Spirit Easy Trail No Dogs - Hike in VancouverRice Lake Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverSt Mark's Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverStanley Park Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverThe Lions Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverUnnecessary

Whether you start at the base of the Grind or at the top of the SkyRide, the beautifully addictive Grouse Grind is, for many, just the beginning of the trail to so much more. Lynn Headwaters Regional Park begins several kilometres away at the Lynn Valley trailhead and beautiful trails follow Lynn Creek for 7 kilometres to Norvan Falls.  The trail then turns into Hanes Valley, connecting to Crown Mountain, Goat Mountain, Dam Mountain and finally leading to Grouse Mountain.  The trail from the Lynn Headwaters trailhead to Grouse is about 20k as it carves a giant arc through the valley. Another amazing feature of this area is that both ends are connected by the Baden-Powell Trail.  Just 8.6k separates the Lynn Headwaters Park trailhead parking and the base of the Grouse Grind.  This forms a tremendous circle route that many have come to adore. Beginning at the Lynn Valley Regional Park trailhead, then trail run or hike the Baden-Powell Trail 8.6k to the Grouse Grind.  Run the Grind, 2.9k.  Then continue on to Dam Mountain with the short side-hike to either Goat Mountain or Crown Mountain, then down the Hanes Valley to Norvan Falls and back to the trailhead at Lynn Park.  The route is just under 30k and amazing as a trail run or a hike.  And incidentally, costs nothing.  Grouse Mountain is a hive of activity and the famous Grouse Grind and Grouse Skyride are the main highlights.  Grouse Mountain is home to a mountaintop habitat refuge.  The highlight of this, you will immediately discover is an area containing grizzly bears. Grinder and Coola are the two lumbering giants that you often find play-fighting together.  Both were rescued and brought here in 2001.  Grinder was orphaned and found wandering along a logging road close to starvation.  Coola was found along a highway in Bella Coola, BC, her mother was killed by a truck. Often overlooked, the grizzly bear habitat is hypnotizing, as you watch these enormously powerful and dangerous bears, playing with each other just metres away.

The parking area at the base of the Grouse Grind and Grouse SkyRide is just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  Leaving Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge take the right hand lane after the bridge into North Vancouver.  At the first set of lights you will need to then turn left on Capilano Road.  Follow this to the Grouse Mountain parking lot.  There are pay parking lots or you can park for free on the street nearby.

Grouse Mountain Skyride

Grouse Mountain Grizzly Bears

Grouse Mountain Grizzly Bears

Grouse Mountain Grizzly Bears

Grouse Mountain's Resident Bears

This is a video made by Grouse Mountain advertising Breakfast with the Bears.  Grouse Mountain also has some wonderful live webcams.  A city view cam and a chalet cam.  In the winter they have an amazing live webcam of the bears hibernating in their den.  Fantastic!  The Bear Den Cam is here, the Grouse Chalet Cam is here, and the spectacular City View Cam is here.

Trailhead Directions to Grouse Mountain

Driving - Vancouver Hiking TrailsThe parking area at the base of the Grouse Grind and Grouse SkyRide is just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  Leaving Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge take the right hand lane after the bridge into North Vancouver.  At the first set of lights you will need to then turn left on Capilano Road.  Follow this to the Grouse Mountain parking lot.  There are pay parking lots or you can park for free on the street nearby.

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