Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Photo: Pranav Prashar/Unsplash
On a hot summer day take a hike that ends with a splash. These trails take you to creeks, lakes, and ocean beaches where you can cool off.
Summer Hiking Tips: Hiking is a fun and rejuvenating activity. But you need to be prepared. 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. In hot temperatures, bring lots of water to stay hydrated. And don’t forget the sunscreen. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back. Check out our tips for safe summer hiking in Vancouver for more advice.
Swim Safely: Most of the swimming spots in this post do not have lifeguards on duty, so use your common sense. Never swim alone. Look before you dive in – there can be underwater hazards. Even in the summer, the water can be chilly and hypothermia is possible. If you start to feel cold, get out of the water and back into dry clothing to warm up.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Vancouver
The network of forested trails at Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC is a great option for a hot day. Use the park map to plan your route. With 55 km of trails, tons of loops are possible. Be sure to include a stop at the beach. You can follow the Salish, Spanish, West Canyon, or East Canyon Trails downhill through the forest to Spanish Banks Beach. Or leave the trails and walk through the UBC Campus to Trail 6 access Wreck Beach (clothing-optional).
Spanish Banks Beach. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang
Quarry Rock, Deep Cove
The Quarry Rock Trail in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove neighbourhood leads through gorgeous coastal rainforest to a beautiful viewpoint on a bluff. From the top, you can look down to the waters of Deep Cove and Indian Arm. Finish your hike with a dip in the ocean near the trailead at Panorama Park. If you need a snack, visit nearby Honey’s Doughnuts, a favourite of locals and celebrities like Kate Winslet, Harry Styles, and Shay Mitchell. Heads up: Parking in Deep Cove is limited, so it’s best to arrive by bus. Translink buses 211 and 212 will get you there.
View from Quarry Rock. Photo: San/Unsplash
Jug Island Beach, təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park
Hike to a secluded wilderness beach on the Jug Island Trail in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. The trail follows the spine of a ridge up through the forest. Get a view through the trees of Bedwell Bay far below you before descending to tiny Jug Island Beach. Have a lunch and go for a swim in the waters of Indian Arm before retracing your steps back to the trailhead. Pro tip: Arrive early or take Translink bus 182 from Moody Centre Skytrain Station because parking fills fast here.
Kayakers at Jug Island Beach: Photo: təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park.
Cabin Lake, Cypress Provincial Park
Reward yourself for the steep hike up Black Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park with a dip in Cabin Lake. The trail works its way uphill alongside the ski runs before topping out at a plateau speckled with tiny lakes. Cabin Lake is the first one you reach and is perfect for taking a dip. However, tiny salamanders and newts live in the lake, so be respectful of their habitat by wiping off sunscreen and bug spray before you jump in. After your hike, grab beer and tacos on the patio at Aguila Cantina at the Cypress Creek Lodge.
Cabin Lake at Cypress Provincial Park. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Norvan Falls, Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
The hike to Norvan Falls in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is great on a hot day since it is in the shade of the forest. The trail parallels Lynn Creek so there are a few places to take a break on gravel bars and stick your feet in the creek. The highlight is the 30-meter-tall Norvan Falls at the end of the trail. The small pool at the base of the falls is great for cooling off under the spray. Be sure to stop at End of the Line General Store on your way out of the park for an iced coffee.
Norvan Falls in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Photo: Pete Nuij/Unsplash
Whyte Lake, West Vancouver
The short hike to Whyte Lake in West Vancouver is gorgeous as it climbs gently uphill through old-growth forest beside a creek. The trail ends at the small lake, nestled in a forested bowl. You can jump into the lake off the floating dock or ease into the water at the tiny beach on the north side of the lake. Head to Horseshoe Bay after your hike for fish and chips on the patio at Troll’s. The same family has been frying up fish here since 1946!
Whyte Lake. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Provincial Park
If you’re up for an epic trek, make the long hike to Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park in Squamish. The hike takes all day, but the mountain views and alpine swimming are worth it. The trail winds uphill through the forest for the first half of the hike before breaking out of the trees on a ridge top. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains as you ramble through lots of small ups and downs. The trail ends at Elfin Lakes, two tiny lakes cradled by hollows in the ridge. The first lake you reach (South Elfin Lake) is the designated swimming lake, while the second one (North Elfin Lake) is for drinking water. Jump in to cool off and take a break before the long hike back to the trailhead.
Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Photo: Pranav Prashar/Unsplash