10 Vancouver-Area Hikes Perfect for Spring

Hiking the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, BC

Hiking the Stawamus Chief in Squamish. Photo Credit Tourism Squamish

Spring is a great time to go hiking. The waterfalls are pumping and the rain turns all the plants extra green. But with snow hanging around in the mountains, it can be tough to figure out where to go for a hike. Here are our picks for the 10 best Vancouver-area spring hikes. They are all closer to sea level so they are be snow-free in the spring.

Safety First: Just because these hikes are close to Vancouver doesn’t mean you aren’t going to the wilderness. North Shore Rescue recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. And leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.

Cascade Falls

The short hike to Cascade Falls in Mission will only take you 30 minutes. But the suspension bridge and view of the 30-metre-tall waterfall are definitely worth it. See the Cascade Falls Regional Park website for more info.

Lighthouse Park

There’s so much more to this West Vancouver park than just the iconic lighthouse. Explore some of the lesser-known forest trails on the east side of the park or make a bee-line to the coast for incredible views of the ocean and downtown Vancouver. Bring a copy of the Lighthouse Park trail map and choose your own route or follow our directions to make a 2.5-hour loop.

A view of the lighthouse from West Beach. Photo credit: Djordje Cicovic on the Inside Vancouver Flickr pool

Minnekhada Park

Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam has a great network of easy and moderate trails around a marshy area with lots of opportunities to spot wildlife. Don’t miss the hike up to the viewpoint for a great view of the Pitt River. Use the Minnekhada Regional Park website to plan your trip.

Whyte Lake

The hike to Whyte Lake in West Vancouver is a popular summer destination. But it’s also great on a wet spring day since it travels through gorgeously green rainforest alongside the banks of Nelson and Whyte Creeks. Use our directions if you choose this easy 2-hour hike.

Whyte Lake in West Vancouver. Photo credit: HappiestOutdoors.ca

Kennedy Falls and the Big Cedar

This moderately challenging trail leads up the less-travelled western side of Lynn Creek in North Vancouver. It ends at gorgeous Kennedy Falls and passes a giant 600-year-old cedar along the way. Allow 5-6 hours for the hike. Get directions here.

Cypress Falls

Spring showers make waterfalls thunder, and Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver is a great place to see them. The trail follows the edge of a canyon to some beautiful waterfall viewpoints. It’s an easy 1.5-hour hike. Find more info here.

Jug Island Beach

Head out to Belcarra Regional Park to experience a short and easy hike through the forest. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with a rocky beach and views of the islands in Indian Arm. Get directions for this 2.5-hour hike in our trail guide.

Jug Island in Belcarra Park near Vancouver

The view of Jug Island from Jug Island Beach. Photo: Happiest Outdoors.ca

Capilano Canyon

Hike from deep in the Capilano Canyon up to the Cleveland Dam for great views of the Lions. With lots of trails to choose from, you can make your hike as long or short as you want. If you really want to challenge yourself, start at Park Royal and hike all the way up from sea level on the Capilano Pacific Trail. Use the Capilano River Regional Park map to stay on track.

Stawamus Chief

In the winter, the Stawamus Chief in Squamish can get icy and slippery. But by spring everything is melted and it’s a great time to try this challenging trail. It’s a tough hike up lots of stairs with some steep scrambles over smooth granite. But the views from the top are worth it. Get more info on the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park website.

Buntzen Lake

The trail circling around Buntzen Lake is a great option for spring since it doesn’t have any snow and you’ll beat the summer crowds. This hike weaves through a mossy forest, crosses both a suspension bridge and a floating bridge and has lots of pretty viewpoints. Find out more about this 4-hour hike in our trail guide.