Walking across the new suspension bridge at Twin Bridges on the Seymour River Loop. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Vancouver in spring is gorgeous. Melting snow and rain makes the forest glow with new life and the waterfalls are gushing. But it is still winter in the mountains, so for spring hikes you’ll need to stick closer to sea level. A few years ago we published our list of the best spring hikes in Vancouver. And now we’re back with ten more great spring hikes.
Safety First: AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back. Check out our tips for safe spring hiking in Vancouver for more advice.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
You don’t need to leave the city to go for a hike. Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood has dozens of trails. Spring is a great time to explore the mossy forest and watch for the bright pink blooms of salmon berries. Our Pacific Spirit Regional Park trail guide has directions for a scenic 9 km loop.
Hiking in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Rice Lake
Serene Rice Lake in North Vancouver makes a perfect hike for spring. The flat and easy 3 km loop is great for easing back into hiking shape. Bring a fishing rod and license to cast your line for trout. Our Rice Lake trail guide has all the info you need.
Rice Lake in North Vancouver Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Seymour River and Lynn Creek Loop
The lower slopes of the North Shore mountains have an incredible network of interconnected trails that are perfect for exploring in spring. Use our trail guide to make an 8.5 km loop hike that includes the canyons of the Seymour River and Lynn Creek along with some spectacular bridges.
The suspension bridge at Twin Bridges in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Photo Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Norvan Falls
The hike to Norvan Falls in North Vancouver is a great choice for spring. It’s great on a cloudy or rainy day since the entire trail is in the forest. The highlight is 30-metre-tall Norvan Falls, which is gushing at this time of year thanks to spring rains and snowmelt. The moderate trail is 14 kilometres round-trip. Use our Norvan Falls trail guide to find your way.
A view of Norvan Falls from the stream bed. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Deas Island
The short and easy six-kilometre-long trail around Delta’s Deas Island Regional Park passes right over the top of the George Massey Tunnel. The trail follows the banks of the Fraser River and is a great place to watch for migrating birds and resident eagles. Our Deas Island trail guide has more info.
Wildlife viewing platform at Deas Island Regional Park. Photo: Metro Vancouver Regional Parks
Velodrome Trail
The steep Velodrome is also known as Burnaby’s version of the Grouse Grind. It’s a great place to go for a workout hike when there is still snow covering the mountains. The trail climbs the steep north side of Burnaby Mountain via sets of stairs. The views of downtown Vancouver from the top are incredible. Our Velodrome Trail guide has more details on the 5.5 km round trip hike.
Stairs on the Velodrome Trail. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Diez Vistas
If you’re looking for a hike that feels like you’re high up in the mountains, but avoids snow in spring, check out Diez Vistas near Buntzen Lake in Port Moody. The moderate 15 km loop has lots of incredible viewpoints. Check out our Diez Vistas trail guide for more info.
View of Indian Arm and Deep Cove. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Minnekhada Loop
Coquitlam’s Minnekhada Regional Park is a great spring hiking destination since you can watch for migrating birds. Hike a 6 km loop that passes marshes and climbs up to a beautiful viewpoint. See our Minnekhada Trail guide for directions.
Minnekhada Regional Park. Photo: Tourism Coquitlam
Gold Creek Canyon Loop
This loop route in Golden Ears Provincial Park passes a waterfall and is a great hike for a wet or cloudy day. And it’s even better in spring when the creek swells with run-off and the mossy forest is extra green. Use our Gold Creek Canyon Loop trail guide for directions for a 12-kilometre-long loop.
Gold Creek from the bridge. Photo: Taryn Eyton, HappiestOutdoors.ca
Four Lakes Trail
In summer, Squamish’s Alice Lake Provincial Park can be so busy that it’s hard to find parking, but in spring, you can have the trails to yourself. The Four Lakes Trail loops past four picturesque lakes and travels through a beautiful mossy forest. Our Four Lakes trail guide has more details for the 6 km loop.
Alice Lake. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
