Get outside! Spring is sprung, which makes the longer days and warmer weather the perfect excuse to hit the trails.
Before hiking, be prepared. Check the conditions before you go to have a safe and fun experience.
Here are 12 hikes that make us want to dust off our boots and hit the trails:
Iona Jetty
The ultimate warmup hike this spring is Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond. You can walk along the over-water trail, have expansive ocean views, and do an 8 km loop to the end of the jetty and back again.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 33-minute drive
Length: 8 km loop
Alexandra Bridge
If you want an easy, road-trip-worthy hike, head to the Alexandra Bridge in the Fraser Canyon. Catch incredible views of mountain peaks and the Fraser River across the walkable bridge. The trail is typically open to the public between May and October.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 2.5-hour drive
Length: 1.6 km
Teapot Hill
Be sure to pack a teapot to leave on this unique trail. This easy hike in Chilliwack has actual teapots on the trail, making it one of the most fun and unusual spots on this list.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5-hour drive
Length: 5 km
Bowen Lookout
This Cypress Mountain trail gives you the biggest payoff without much effort. You won’t believe the views at the top!
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 30-minute drive
Length: 4 km
Lighthouse Park
There are a ton of trails to explore inside this West Vancouver park, and Vancouverites love to come here on clear, sunny weekends to snap pics of the lighthouse.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 30-minute drive
Length: up to 6 km
Sasamat Lake
This lovely Port Moody hike inside təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park is a convenient 3.2 km loop trail. Perfect for picnics and a dip in the lake on sunny days!
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: One-hour drive
Length: 3.2 km
Bridal Veil Falls
This straightforward hike at Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park brings you to a sparkling, effervescent waterfall that will make you feel truly outdoorsy with minimal effort.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5-hour drive
Length: 0.8 km
Maplewood Flats
This hidden corner of North Vancouver is one of the cutest places for a lazy weekend hike. Plus, you’ll likely encounter beautiful birds on your trek since it’s a conservation area.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy
Distance from Vancouver: 25-minute drive
Length: 2.5 km
Lynn Headwaters
This hike’s payoff is all the rushing, fresh, pure water you can breathe in at the headwaters. Whether you want an easy-peasy walk with a friend or you want to challenge yourself, you can find the perfect trail at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.
Difficulty level: Easy-peasy to Intermediate
Distance from Vancouver: 30-minute drive
Length: 5.1 km
Mount Seymour
Locals love the trails at Mount Seymour because they’re versatile. You can camp overnight and make a weekend of it or hike a bit and turn back around in time to get Honey’s Doughnuts.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Distance from Vancouver: 40-minute drive
Length: 9 km
Tunnel Bluffs
Before you attempt this hike, you should know your stuff, such as where to park and how to access the trail safely, but for the experienced looking for a challenge, this is one of the most-loved local trails.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Distance from Vancouver: 40-minute drive
Length: 11 km
Eagle Bluffs
When you’re ready to step up your hiking game, Eagle Buffs is one of the region’s most-loved hikes, partly because you get unreal views of Vancouver from the top.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Distance from Vancouver: 30-minute drive
Length: 9 km
This piece was originally published in 2023 and has been updated.