There are plenty of moderately challenging Vancouver hiking trails to choose from. These are five trails that stand out from the rest. Not too difficult, yet all have sensational views. Hollyburn, Dog Mountain and Mt Seymour are at the end of beautiful drives to reach the trailheads.
The busy Mount Seymour trail in 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 clear day you can see as far as Vancouver Island as well as amazing views of Vancouver, the lower mainland and the Gulf Islands. Located in the beautiful Mount Seymour Provincial Park there are several hikes in the area.
There are a few easy lake trails like Mystery Lake and Goldie Lake. These are family friendly hikes. Another, relatively easy hike branches off shortly after the start of the trail to Mount Seymour. Dog Mountain, easy and also family friendly and very popular in the winter as a snowshoeing trail. Mount Elsay is another hike in the area. Very difficult, the Mount Elsay Trail branches off of the Mount Seymour Trail just as you approach Mount Seymour and takes you into some difficult, wilderness hiking. Mount Seymour Provincial Park is very dog friendly and backcountry camping is welcome in several areas. Usually beyond Mount Seymour in the Elsay Lake part of the park. The trailhead for Mount Seymour is easy to find once you have reached the main parking lot to Mount Seymour Resort. To get to the main parking lot simply drive until you come to the end of the road and the end of the final parking lot (you will see ski lifts). Looking towards the end of this long parking lot you will see a large, round wooden map board. From here on there are frequent tree markers and signs directing you.
Trailhead Directions to Mount Seymour
From Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway) take Exit #22 Mount Seymour Parkway. Turn right onto Mount Seymour Parkway almost immediately and follow it 4.4 km before turning left onto Mount Seymour Road. Follow Mount Seymour Road as it winds it's way up the mountain. Drive to the end of the large parking lot at the end of the road. Start at the Mount Seymour Trail kiosk, to the left of the Mystery Peak chairlift. Parking is free and there are no trail fees in Mount Seymour Provincial Park.
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