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Oakwyn Realty
101 - 3151 Woodbine Drive North Vancouver, BC V7R 2S4
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Living in North Vancouver / Hiking
There are cities with a good trail nearby. And then there is the North Shore, where an alpine summit, an old-growth canyon and a seaside lookout are all a short drive from the front door — and the trailhead is sometimes the end of your street. This is a place where a hike is a weeknight, not an expedition.
A Hiking Capital
The North Shore mountains rise straight out of the neighbourhoods, which means the range of hiking packed into a small area is extraordinary. In a single weekend you could wander a gentle canyon with the kids on Saturday and stand on an alpine ridge above the clouds on Sunday, without ever leaving North Vancouver.
From the famous to the family-friendly, the trails here are woven right into daily life. The catch — and it is a real one — is that this terrain earns its reputation and turns serious quickly, so knowing where to go for your level matters. That is local knowledge, and it is exactly what we bring.
The Classics
A handful of trails that define hiking here, from a punishing climb to a stroll the whole family can do.
The climb
Nicknamed Mother Nature’s Stairmaster, this steep climb up the face of Grouse Mountain is a local rite of passage. You hike up and ride the gondola down. The neighbouring BCMC Trail is the quieter alternative. Seasonal, and not for the faint of legs.
Canyon & falls
A free suspension bridge high over a rushing canyon, with trails to Twin Falls and the swimming holes of the Thirty Foot Pool. Step up to Lynn Headwaters next door for bigger loops out to Norvan Falls.
Deep Cove
The postcard hike — a manageable walk through the forest from Deep Cove village to a granite bluff with a sweeping view over Indian Arm. Hugely popular, and the perfect reward is a doughnut back in the Cove.
Mount Seymour
A short, mostly gentle trail at the top of Mount Seymour to a lookout straight across the city skyline. One of the most rewarding views-per-effort hikes anywhere on the Shore, with Mystery Lake nearby.
Alpine
The First, Second and Third Pump Peaks deliver a proper alpine day with ridge-top views over the inlet and beyond. A real climb that rewards preparation and the right conditions.
The traverse
The roughly 48-kilometre trail that runs the length of the North Shore from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, stringing together many of these areas. Tackle it in sections, or chase the whole thing.
For Every Hiker
The same mountains that hold serious alpine objectives also hold gentle walks anyone can enjoy. The trick is matching the trail to the day and the group.
These mountains are beautiful and they are unforgiving. The North Shore has the busiest search-and-rescue team in the country for a reason — trails that feel mellow at the bottom can become serious in poor weather or fading light. Before any hike, check current conditions, carry the essentials, leave a trip plan, and turn back when in doubt.
For trip planning and safety, AdventureSmart and the regional park authorities are the local authorities, and worth a look before you head out.
Where to Live for It
If stepping onto a trail without a long drive is part of the dream, these areas put you closest. Distinctions, not a ranking.
Quarry Rock & the Baden Powell
A seaside village with the Quarry Rock trailhead and the Baden Powell at the edge of town, plus the water for paddling when the legs need a rest.
Explore Deep Cove →Lynn Canyon & Lynn Headwaters
Home to the canyon, the suspension bridge and the gateway to the Headwaters, with a revived village to refuel in afterward.
Explore Lynn Valley →Mount Seymour & Dog Mountain
The quickest route up to the Seymour trails and the alpine, on quiet, leafy east-side streets made for people who live outdoors.
Explore the East Side →Take the Neighbourhood Match quiz and we will shortlist the North Vancouver regions that fit your life, trail access included.
Hiking Questions
The classics include the Grouse Grind, Lynn Canyon and Lynn Headwaters, Quarry Rock in Deep Cove, and Dog Mountain on Mount Seymour, with serious alpine options like the Seymour peaks and Crown Mountain. They range from gentle family walks to demanding mountain days.
The Grouse Grind is a steep climb up the face of Grouse Mountain, often called Mother Nature’s Stairmaster. Hikers go up only and ride the gondola down, and the trail is seasonal, generally open in the warmer months.
Yes. Lynn Canyon, the lower Deep Cove trails, Dog Mountain on Mount Seymour and the waterfront parks all offer big scenery for modest effort, making them great with children.
Yes. The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free to visit, a local alternative to the paid Capilano Suspension Bridge, and sits within a park full of trails, falls and swimming holes.
Deep Cove sits at the Quarry Rock and Baden Powell trailheads, Lynn Valley is home to Lynn Canyon and Lynn Headwaters, and Blueridge and Seymour are quickest to the Mount Seymour trails and the alpine.
Lower-elevation trails are hikeable through much of the year, though winters are wet. The alpine becomes serious winter terrain and requires proper experience and equipment, so checking conditions before heading out is essential.
North Shore terrain can turn serious quickly, and the area has the busiest search-and-rescue team in Canada. Check current conditions, carry the essentials, leave a trip plan and turn back when in doubt. AdventureSmart and the regional park authorities are good planning resources.
The Baden Powell Trail is a roughly 48-kilometre route that traverses the North Shore from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, linking many of the area’s parks and trailheads. Most people hike it in sections.
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Where To From Here
Moving to the area
New to the North Shore? Our relocation guide covers the neighbourhoods, the lifestyle and the daily-life details in one place.
Read the guide →Already here
Thinking of moving closer to the trailheads? Start with a clear, no-pressure valuation of where you stand today.
Get your home value →Ready to talk
Tell us the hiking you want at your door and we will tell you, honestly, which neighbourhoods deliver it within your budget.
Schedule a consultation →Scott Wallace and Carson Green have helped 500+ buyers and sellers across North Vancouver, with both partners earning Greater Vancouver REALTORS® Medallion Club recognition — an annual award given to the top 10 percent of REALTORS® by units sold across Greater Vancouver. Oakwyn Realty ranked #1 brokerage on the North Shore by total units sold in 2025, and has ranked as the #1 Oakwyn Realty office in Greater Vancouver by gross dollar volume for seven consecutive years.
The 500+ figure reflects buyers and sellers assisted by members of Wallace Green Real Estate Group since 2015. North Shore brokerage ranking based on GVR MLS® statistics, January to December 2025. Seven-year Oakwyn ranking covers 2019 to 2025, per GVR MLS® statistics.
Oakwyn Realty
101 - 3151 Woodbine Drive North Vancouver, BC V7R 2S4