Five Hikes North Shore Locals Don't Want You to Know About

Posted by: Matthew Inouye
Posted on: July 22nd, 2018

The North Shore isn't just the Grouse Grind, Lynn Peak and Quarry Rock. Say farewell to the over popularized trails crowded with jean-pants-wearing tourists, and experience the lush North Shore forests, mountains and viewpoints in peace, calm and serenity by trying these five lesser know hikes that North Shore locals don't want you to know about.

North Shore locals don't want you to know about these hiking trails:

1. Juniper Point Trail

One of the few trails on the North Shore that faithfully takes a first-time hiker by surprise. As you walk beneath a thick canopy of tall coastal evergreens, there's no foreshadowing what to expect when you finally reach the view at Juniper Point. Prepare to pick your jaw up from the floor.

2. Cypress Falls

You don't have to go too far off the beaten path to experience waterfalls on the North Shore. In fact, in less than a two minute drive off of Highway 1 at the Caulfeild exit and your steps away from a dog friendly, lush coastal forest featuring not just one but two waterfalls: The Upper and Lower Cypress Falls. Keep your eyes out for the abandoned car wreck.

Wooden Bridge Wooden bridge just north of the Lower Falls crossing Cypress Creek

3. The Flint and Feather Trail

Hiked the Grouse Grind and thought you've experienced the most challenging trail that Vancouver has to offer? Think again..

The only trail on this list that tests your endurance and mental game like no other. The Flint and Feather trail is the top-secret alternative to the Grouse Grind and BCMC trails that scale the side of Grouse Mountain up to the summit. The trail parallels those routes, however it is less than two thirds the distance and more than an 18% increase in average grade compared to the Grouse Grind. That means the Flint and Feather trail is incredibly more steep and challenging.

4. Bowen Lookout Trail

The setting for bird-feeding-from-your-hand photos on Instragram, the Bowen Lookout trail is a popular backdrop but has only a fraction of the hiker traffic as other viewpoint trails on the North Shore. Perhaps, it's just not commonly spoken about -- or it could be the long haul up to Cypress Mountain and the Backcountry Pass required during the winter are deterrents.

The Bowen Lookout trail is fantastic year round and the viewpoint can easily be reached within 45 minutes. Most of the route is exposed and offers great views of Cypress Bowl, the Garibaldi mountain range and the Howe Sound. The first half is mostly flat, while the final third creeps up the west side of Mount Strachan on manageable switchbacks before marrying up with the Howe Sound Crest Trail and finally reaching the viewpoint.

Sunset at Bowen Lookout A hiker taking a picture of the sun setting over Howe Sound as seen from Bowen Lookout at Cypress Mountian

5. Rice Lake Loop Trail

Often Weekend Warriors and tourists congregate en masse to the Lynn Headwaters Park. If you're driving and arrive after 9:30 AM, good luck trying to find a parking spot! Meanwhile, only a half kilometer away on the opposite bank of Lynn Creek local hikers are basking in the peace and serenity of the more secluded and lesser known Rice Lake Loop Trail.

Access the trail by travelling north on Lilloett Road until you reach the gate to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. The area also connects to a network of several other trails.

During cold winters, Rice Lake freezes over and makes for the perfect locale for amateur ice hockey enthusiasts.