The Lower Mainland and North Shore Mountains include a drastic variation of scenery. From the coastal waters of the Georgia Strait to the tall peaks inland, rushing rivers, or cliffs over the water, and the mix of it all with the Metro Vancouver skyline, the area has natural beauty around every highway.
A couple explores Cypress Mountain and is hiking the terrain.
There are tons of ways to enjoy this scenery year-round, with outdoor parks or attractions for the more adventurous within a short drive of the city in almost any direction. One of the closest of these to Vancouver, but also the easiest to access, is Cypress Provincial Park. The park is a gateway to the North Coastal Mountains with extensive trails all throughout the park and beyond, dining options, many amenities for hikers, and some of the best views around Vancouver.
Exploring Vancouver’s Iconic Backdrops
Much of the beauty of the Vancouver skyline comes from the backdrop of the North Coastal Mountains. Not only do the peaks tower over the city, but these mountains are also lush with old growth forests and an array of other bright green foliage. And with the trails of Cypress Provincial Park, hikers are able to get an up-close look and view of the sights which help to make the city such a natural gem.
Cypress Provincial Park is easy to access by vehicle as it is a short drive from city limits to the park boundaries. And for more adventurous hikers, there is also trail access from the residential areas of West Vancouver that lead straight into Cypress. Exploration of the area will reveal views of the city from whole new vantage points, and so much more.
The park and its trails all sit elevated above Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, as well as the Howe Sound and Georgia Strait. From up here, there are several opportunities for sweeping or complete 360-degree views around Vancouver’s iconic backdrops. Get views overlooking mountaintops, Vancouver Island, deep valleys, and the entire city!
Easy & Moderate Trails around Cypress Provincial Park
The easiest of Cypress’ hiking trails, including the barrier-free trails, depart from the Lodge Parking lot. This includes the 2km Yew Lake Loop, and the Old Growth Loop, which extends from the Yew Lake Trail. These are both trails that enable those with wheelchairs, mobility issues, or strollers to traverse the loop easily. And while the other park trails permit dogs on leashes, the two barrier-free trails are pet-free.
- The Bowen Lookout, to the north of the Yew Trail and Lake, is one of the area’s top hikes for beautiful views. The trail is about 2km out-and-back from the gravel road, or could start at Yew Lake to create a 5.4km out-and-back hike. No matter where you start, there will be about 300m of elevation to gain before you are greeted with some of the region’s best natural coastal views.
- The Four Lakes Loop creates a pleasant and moderate 7.2km trail that winds around First, West, Blue Gentian, and Lost Lakes. And while this multi-hour hike is a great way to get fresh air and exercise, the hike to any one of those lakes and back still creates a loop of 3-6km. The Four Lakes Loop also gives hikers an experience of a section of the much longer Baden-Powell Trail.
- The loop out to Blue Gentian Lake is a nice and easy 5km stroll along fairly level terrain until a final gradual climb to see the views into a lush valley. The entire trail around these lakes, including Blue Gentian, is lush with North Shore Mountain vegetation.
The Baden-Powell Trail
The Cypress section Baden-Powell Trail includes nearly 50km of trail to explore. This includes a few different challenges which begin from the main Baden-Powell Trail. Get access to the Baden-Powell Trail from Millstream Road on the far south side in West Vancouver, from the Hollyburn Lodge parking lot, the Cypress Mountain parking lot, or Horseshoe Bay at its far west end.
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- Head south from the lodge on the Baden-Powell Trail to follow the path up to Black Mountain and Cabin Lake. The climb will lead through and to a huge array of scenery from the alpine lakes and surrounding forests to wildflowers and lush foliage in full bloom.
- The Balden-Powell Trail continues east from Yew Lake but makes a sharp turn to the south. With this direction, the trail also passes by the parking lot of the Hollyburn Lodge.
- The second big challenge of the Balden-Powell Trail begins at the Hollyburn Lodge and Nordic Ski Parking area and leads up under the power lines to reach the Balden-Powell Trail. From here, it is 8km out-and-back to Heather Lake and the peak of Hollyburn Mountain. The views from the top elevations will include mountain peaks for as far as the eye can see, and a sea of alpine forests.
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Among the more difficult and challenging of the trails at Cypress Provincial Park is the Howe Sound Crest Trail, which runs from north to south and traverses a few different summits and peaks. The Howe Sound Crest Trail is 29km in total. It is easy, still, to split the trip into two or three days with backcountry camping spots along the path. The trail’s southern terminus is at the parking lot for the Alpine Ski Area in Cypress, and as the route extends north, it bends to the west a bit and has hikers at the southern terminus of Porteau on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
- There will be a great deal of elevation gain as the trail crosses various mountains. And while these add the main challenge to the HSCT, they also provide the most incredible 360-degree views. This includes sweeping vistas around the Howe Sound with its backdrop of tall mountains and islands, or all the remaining peaks to the east.
Cypress Mountain Summer Attractions
Credit: Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout
There is as much to do at Cypress Mountain located in the southern part of the Park, in the spring and summer as the ski area has to offer in the winter. During the winter, Cypress Mountain is an alpine ski destination. But during the summers, these slopes are used for other adventures.
- The park’s Eagle Coaster starts up on Black Mountain and descends along 1700m of track as riders also head down 279m of mountain elevation.
- Use the summer chairlift at Cypress Mountain for scenic rides up to the top where you’ll get to enjoy 360-degree views that include metro Vancouver, the North Shore Mountains, and Vancouver Island. The chairlift is also a great way to cut some of the park’s more challenging hikes in half.
- Cypress Mountain has three different dining options to offer spring and summer visitors: the more casual Gold Medal Café for coffee and snacks, the Aguila Cantina for lunch or dinner, or the Crazy Raven Bar & Grill for dinner or drinks.
Planning Your Trip – Cypress Provincial Park
What: Cypress is a Provincial Park in the North Coastal Mountains, which nearly borders the north side of West and North Vancouver. The park has multiple notable mountain peaks, including Cypress Mountain, which operates as a year-round attraction. Cypress Mountain offers winter recreation for skiers, snowboarders, winter hikers, and snowshoers, and summer recreation with the chairlift or other attractions. There is no formal campground in Cypress Provincial Park, but there are dozens of kilometres of trails, including backcountry trails with camping sites. The Cypress trails include all difficulty levels from simple half-hour nature walks to multi-day backcountry routes.
Location and how to get there: 25km north of downtown Vancouver via BC-99 and Cypress Bowl Road
Best time to go: trails open year-round (hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing)
Cost: general admission free; Cypress Mountain attractions $21-$53 per person
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