Below are 3 great hikes to do in the winter that are free and easily accessible from Vancouver! Located in Mount Seymour & Cypress Mountain.
Dog Mountain, Mount Seymour
- Distance: 4.5 KM
- Elevation Gain: 34 m
- Time Needed: 2 hours
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Parking: Yes, at Mt Seymour Resort (Parking pass required)
An easy trail with an amazing view of Metro Vancouver. You will find the sign for Dog Mountain as you approach the left side of the base of the ski slope. The path turns left whereas for Pump Peak, you would continue straight ahead (there is a map at the trailhead, you can’t go wrong!) The trail is relatively flat, no major climbs involved but there are a couple of water crossings and large tree roots to be avoided so snowshoes can be a hindrance. Honestly, micro-spikes would do for this trail as the snow is very compacted.
This hike requires a parking pass for Mt. Seymour which you can get two days in advance at 7:00 AM. You have the option of a morning or afternoon pass, both free of charge but needed to park at the resort.
Pump Peak, Mount Seymour
- Distance: 7.1 KM
- Elevation: 474m
- Time Needed: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Parking: Yes, at Mt Seymour Resort (Parking pass required)
If you’re looking for a little more of a challenge, Pump Peak is a great option. We arrived at Mt Seymour as they opened at 7:00 AM and saw an amazing sunrise from the base of the slopes. This also guaranteed us a great parking spot!
As mentioned above, the trail begins on the left-hand side of the slopes and continues straight. There is a significant uphill pull on this trail, and we met quite a lot of crosscountry skiers on our way back down so it’s a popular one. Around 1.5 KM into the trail, there is a descent as you are side by side with a ski run. The views start to appear as you begin to climb higher up the mountain, eventually reaching Brockton Point which is a great viewpoint and is worth the climb!
The trail was a bit hard to follow at times, we more than likely went off route for a bit but we found our way back! We did this hike in mid-January and just wore micro-spikes which were ideal. The view from the top is even better than Doug Mountain because you can see all the surrounding peaks as well as the cities below.
This is one of my favourite hikes to date! It is a perfect option for winter-hiking, as with all hikes listed in this post, their proximity to Vancouver make them the ideal way to spend a weekend morning in the winter.
Hollyburn Peak, Cypress Mountain
- Distance: 7.5km
- Elevation gain: 450m
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Parking: Yes, in the Nordic Ski Area
While Cypress Mountain has a variety of snowshoeing options, Hollyburn Peak is not part of the paid snowshoeing area so it is free to use. You should park in the Nordic Ski area to access the trailhead that is not so obviously marked. The trail begins past the coffee shed, back the direction you would have driven. The first 2 KM are nice and easy through a forested route, eventually opening up allowing for some great views.
From here, the trail gets steeper and steeper. The views get better the higher you get, giving you an excellent reason to stop and catch your breath! There was a very clear path that was formed by people sliding down on their bums, but this was often too slippery to get our footing so we just climbed up as best we could. Getting up was strenuous, and getting down was hilarious. I think all of us fell at one point or another. A lot of people opted for the sliding on your bum option, I’d recommend bringing spare trousers if it seems like something you’d like to try!
There are 360 degree views at the summit showcasing Bowen Island, Grouse Mountain, the Lions, and of course the city below. This one is really fun, and what it lacked in length it certainly made up for in steepness.
