If you hike in Vancouver, chances are you’ve done the Grouse Grind or at least heard of it. It’s a super steep hike up to the top of Grouse Mountain. It’s considered a bit of a local bucket list hike or a fitness challenge. And it’s so popular that hikers are now tackling a bunch of other steep Vancouver area trails as a workout. Some of them are given getting a “grind” nickname! Here’s everything you need to know about Vancouver area alternatives to the Grouse Grind.
What is the Grouse Grind?
Hiking the Grouse Grind. Photo credit: Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism
Stats: 2.9km one way (take the gondola back down for $15), 853m elevation gain, 29.4% grade, 1.5-2.5 hours
Location: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Trail Info: The Grouse Grind starts at the Grouse Mountain Base parking lot and finishes next to the Grouse Mountain Lodge. Along the way, you’ll climb at least 2830 steps. (I say “at least” since trail maintenance adds more stairs each year to keep the slope stable.) That’s equivalent to climbing a 200 story building. It takes the average person about 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete. Fast hikers finish under an hour. The record time is 25 minutes! The Grouse Grind is also one of Vancouver’s most Instagrammed hikes.
Note: Dogs are prohibited. This is a one-way trail and you may only travel uphill. Pay to take the gondola down or hike down the BCMC trail (see info below.)
More info: Grouse Mountain Resort, Grouse Mountain Regional Park
What Makes a Trail a “Grind”?
Each hiker has their own reasons for hiking the Grouse Grind. But in general, most people want to be able to say that they completed a short and steep hike that was really difficult. A lot of Grouse Grind-ers also reward themselves with a drink or meal at the restaurant at the top. And a bonus for a lot of people is the option to save their knees with a gondola ride down.
I know not everyone will agree, but here are my criteria for what makes a hike an alternative to the Grouse Grind:
- It’s short enough to do in a few hours
- It’s steep. Like REALLY steep! At a minimum, it has a grade over 10%
- Bonus: A gondola ride down
So let’s see how some Vancouver area hikes stack up against the Grouse Grind! Here’s an overview of the trails. I’ve sorted them by grade so you can see which ones are truly steep. (If you’re new to thinking about grade on trails, here’s a primer. The grade (expressed as a percentage) is calculated by dividing the elevation gain in meters by the one-way distance in meters.)
| Trail | Distance | Elevation Gain | Grade | Time |
| Grouse Grind | 2.9km | 853m | 29.4% | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Stawamus Chief | 3-3.6km | 540-630m | 34.7-36% | 6 hours |
| Dewdney Grind | 3.8km | 575m | 35.9% | 2 hours |
| BCMC Trail | 3km | 853m | 28.4% | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Elk Mountain | 7km | 800m | 22.9% | 4 hours |
| Hope Lookout | 4.5km | 450m | 20% | 2.5 hours |
| Blackcomb Burn | 6.1km | 1150m | 18.9% | 3.5 hours |
| Harrison Grind | 7km | 620m | 17.7% | 6 hours |
| Tunnel Bluffs | 8.5km | 750m | 17.6% | 4 hours |
| Abby Grind | 4km | 330m | 16.5% | 1.5 hours |
| Lynn Peak | 9km | 720m | 16% | 4 hours |
| Velodrome Trail | 3km | 240m | 16% | 1 hour |
| Munro Lake | 10.5km | 776m | 14.8% | 4.5 hours |
| Sea to Summit Trail | 7.5km | 918m | 12.5% | 3.5 hours |
| Black Mountain | 4.8km | 280m | 11.7% | 2 hours |
| Coquitlam Crunch | 4.5km | 244m | 10.8% | 1.5 hours |
| Pump Peak | 7km | 370m | 10.6% | 2.5 hours |
BCMC Trail vs. Grouse Grind
Take the Grouse Mountain Gondola down from the top after you hike the BCMC
Stats: 3km one way (gondola back down for $15), 853m of elevation gain, 28.4% grade, 1.5-2.5 hours
Location: Grouse Mountain
Trail Info: The BCMC trail has very similar stats to the Grouse Grind. But the BCMC is what the Grind used to be: a rough, steep, relatively unmaintained route with no stairs. This makes it more rugged than the Grind. The BCMC trail is right next to the Grouse Grind. The British Columbia Mountaineering Club originally built the trail, but they are not affiliated with it anymore. The BCMC is one of many trails in Vancouver you can get to on public transit.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Bonus: Get a beer and some nachos on the patio at Grouse’s casual restaurant, Altitudes. The beer is cold, the nachos are expensive, and the view of the city can’t be beaten.
Lynn Peak vs. Grouse Grind
The view from Lynn Peak
Stats: 4.5km one way (9 km round trip), 720m of elevation gain, 16% grade, 4 hours
Location: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
Trail Info: The hike to Lynn Peak is much shorter than the Grouse Grind. For the most part, it’s also not as steep. The first kilometer of this trail is fairly flat but then it climbs uphill steadily in the forest for the remainder of the hike. At the top, it emerges on to a rocky bluff with a view. (I have to admit: Lynn Peak made my list of the worst hikes in Vancouver. Click to read why.)
More Info: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park Map
Pump Peak (Mount Seymour First Peak) vs. Grouse Grind
Pump Peak (also called First Peak) on a cloudy day
Stats: 3.5km one way (7km round trip), 370m elevation gain, 10.6% grade, 2.5 hours
Location: Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Trail Info: The quick trip up to the first peak of Mount Seymour (known as Pump Peak) is steep enough to qualify as a grind hike… just barely. It does climb pretty relentlessly, especially in the final push up to the summit plateau.
More Info: Mount Seymour Provincial Park,
Black Mountain vs Grouse Grind
Ascending the south peak of Black Mountain.
Stats: 2.4km one way (4.8km round trip), 280m of elevation gain, 11.7% grade, 2 hours
Location: Cypress Provincial Park
Trail Info: The hike up to Black Mountain may seem super steep in places, but it climbs only a third of the elevation that the Grouse Grind does. The trail leaves from the ski lodge at Cypress Mountain. It heads steeply up the hill beside the ski runs before ending up at the Black Mountain summit plateau. Once on the plateau, you can take short side trails to the north or south peaks of Black Mountain or go for a swim in Cabin Lake. If you have more time you can also continue on downhill a bit to the viewpoint at Eagle Bluffs.
More Info: Cypress Provincial Park Map
Tunnel Bluff vs. Grouse Grind
The view from Tunnel Bluff on a cloudy day
Stats: 4.25km one way (8.5km round trip), 750m of elevation gain, 17.6% grade, 4 hours
Location: Lions Bay
Trail Info: Some sections of the Trail Bluff Trail definitely rival the Grouse Grind for steepness. But overall, it’s a slightly easier climb since the last section of the trail up to the viewpoint is on a flat logging road. The hardest part of doing this hike is crossing the Sea to Sky Highway. You park at a roadside viewpoint and then have to dash across the road to get to the trailhead.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Sea to Summit Trail vs. Grouse Grind
Climbing up Wrinkle Rock on the Sea to Summit Trail. Photo Credit: Paul Bride
Stats: 7.5km one way (gondola back down for $15), 918m elevation gain, 12.2% grade, 3.5 hours
Location: Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish
Trail Info: If you believe the hype, you might think that the Sea to Summit Trail is Squamish’s answer to the Grouse Grind. But it’s actually quite a bit longer and has a somewhat gentler grade. This trail climbs up underneath the Sea to Sky gondola, which definitely makes it feel like the Grouse Grind. It starts and finishes steep with stairs and rock scrambles, but there is a long mellow section in the middle. The view at the end is incredible though. (If you can’t hike up, I recommend paying for the gondola. It’s one of the best stops on a Sea to Sky Highway roadtrip from Vancouver to Whistler.)
More Info: Sea to Sky Gondola; Vancouver Trails
Bonus: Grab a beer and some poutine and sit outside on the deck at the Summit Eatery before taking the gondola back down.
Stawamus Chief, Squamish
The view from the top of the Chief
Stats: Three peaks to choose from: First Peak 1.5km one way (3 km round trip) with 540m elevation gain, 36% grade; Second Peak 1.7km one way (3.4km round trip) with 590m elevation gain, 34.7% grade; Third Peak 1.8km one way (3.6km round trip) with 630m elevation gain, 35% grade; 6 hours for all three peaks
Location: Squamish
Trail Info: Although the Chief isn’t as high as Grouse Mountain, the trails up to the top are actually steeper! You’ll climb up stairs, ladders and even use chains to reach the top of this granite monolith. At the top, you can look down the front of the sheer cliff face to see rock climbers below you and all of Howe Sound spread out at your feet.
More Info: Stawamus Chief Provincial Park website, Vancouver Trails
Blackcomb Burn Ascent Trails vs. Grouse Grind
Hiking the Blackcomb Burn. Photo credit: Tourism Whistler
Stats: 6.1km one way (gondola down for $15/$40), 1150m elevation gain, 18.9% grade, 3.5 hours
Location: Whistler
Trail Info: In 2016 Whistler Blackcomb introduced their own version of the Grouse Grind: the Blackcomb Ascent Trails. This route actually combines three trails: Little Burn, Big Burn, and Heartburn. Although it’s not quite as steep as the Grouse Grind, it does have the highest total elevation gain on this list. You can take the Blackcomb Gondola back from the top ($40) or bail out halfway at the mid station ($15). The $40 ticket also includes the Peak to Peak Gondola.
More Info: Whistler Blackcomb; Vancouver Trails
Bonus: Grab a burger at the Rendezvous Lodge at the top.
Velodrome Trail/Burnaby Grind vs. Grouse Grind
Stairs on the Velodrome Trail. Photo credit: burnaby.ca
Stats: 1.5km one way (3 km round trip), 240m elevation gain, 16% grade, 1 hour
Location: Burnaby
Trail Info: While it’s not as steep as the Grouse Grind, this Burnaby trail does involve lots of stairs. It climbs up from Barnet Highway near the Velodrome, all the way up to a viewpoint on Burnaby Mountain near the Horizons Restaurant. Unlike most of these hikes, the Velodrome Trail is at a low elevation. That means it doesn’t get covered in snow and ice in the winter. It’s one of over 100 hikes near-Vancouver that you can hike all year.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Coquitlam Crunch vs. Grouse Grind
Under the power lines on the Coquitlam Crunch. Photo Credit: Matthew Chen on alltrails.com
Stats: 2.25km one way (4.5km round trip), 244m elevation gain, 10.8% grade, 1.5 hours
Location: Coquitlam
Trail Info: Many Coquitlam locals love to work out on this steep trail. I hate to break it to them, but it doesn’t really measure up to the Grouse Grind (Sorry… not sorry.) It’s about one third as steep as the Grind. It climbs up a steep slope underneath the power lines.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Munro Lake vs. Grouse Grind
View this post on Instagram
Stats: 5.25km one way (10.5km round trip), 776m elevation gain, 14.8% grade, 4.5 hours
Location: Coquitlam
Trail Info: The trail to Munro Lake in Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park isn’t typically known as a Grind-type hike… but it should be. It’s a little longer than the Grouse Grind, but the elevation gain is pretty similar. It’s definitely steep! The hike ends at Munro Lake, but you can extend your hike to Dennett Lake as well.
More Info: Outdoor Vancouver
Abby Grind vs. Grouse Grind
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Stats: 2km one way (4km round trip), 330m of elevation gain, 16.5% grade, 1.5 hours.
Location: Abbotsford
Trail Info: The Abby Grind is much shorter than the Grouse Grind, and doesn’t climb as high. It’s still a great workout. The Abby Grind is part of the longer Glen Ryder Trail that ascends Taggart Peak. A few years ago locals started doing workout hikes up to the first viewpoint, and that portion of the trail was renamed the Abby Grind.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Dewdney Grind vs. Grouse Grind
Dewdney Grind views. Photo credit: Joyce Sonntag on alltrails.com
Stats: 1.6km one way (3.8km round trip); 575m elevation gain, 35.9% grade, 2 hours
Location: Mission
Trail Info: This trail is shorter than the Grouse Grind, and doesn’t climb as high. But it is steeper! It climbs up to a viewpoint at a small cabin. The cabin honours Ben von Hardenburg, a helicopter pilot who died fighting a forest fire. The “grind” stops at the cabin, but you can continue a few more kilometers to the summit of Dewdney Peak. This trail isn’t as well marked as most of the others on the list so be careful.
More Info: Clubtread, Lower Mainland Hikers
Elk Mountain vs. Grouse Grind
View from the top of Elk Mountain. Photo Credit: Jonathan Sloan on Flickr. Used under CC BY 2.0.
Stats: 3.5km one way (7km round trip) 800m of elevation gain, 22.9% grade, 4 hours
Location: Chilliwack
Trail Info: The hike up Elk Mountain often gets called the Chilliwack Grind. And the name is well-deserved: this steep hike has very similar stats to the Grouse Grind. The trail switchbacks through the forest, then heads straight up a treed ridge before emerging on the open top of Elk Mountain. In early summer, the ridge is blanketed with wildflowers. It made my list as one of the top 10 best hikes in Vancouver.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Harrison Grind vs. Grouse Grind
View from the top of the Harrison Grind. Photo credit: Tourism Harrison
Stats: 3.5km one way (7km round trip), 620m elevation gain, 17.7% grade, 6 hours
Location: Harrison Hot Springs
Trail Info: In the last few years the Campbell Lake Trail has gotten the nickname “Harrison Grind”. It’s definitely a steep hike up to a great view over Harrison Lake. You can also continue on a flatter section of trail past the viewpoint to Campbell Lake. This trail is a similar length to the Grouse Grind, but not quite as steep.
More Info: Vancouver Trails
Hope Lookout/Hope Grind vs. Grouse Grind
The from Hope Lookout at the top of the Hope Grind. Photo credit: hopebc.ca
Stats: 2.25km one way (4.5km round trip), 450m elevation gain, 20% grade, 2.5 hours
Location: Hope
Trail Info: This steep trail climbs up to a rocky viewpoint above Hope. There are great views of the town and the Fraser River. It’s not quite as steep or long as the Grouse Grind, but it’s definitely challenging.
More Info: Hope Mountain Centre Map
So what is your favourite alternative to the Grouse Grind? Did I miss one of your local hikes? Tell me in the comments.
More Hikes Near Vancouver:
- Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver
- 35 Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit
- Waterfalls Near Vancouver You Can Hike To
- The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver: A Local’s Guide
- The Worst Hikes in Vancouver (And Where to Hike Instead)
- 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver
- 100+ Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: Trails You Can Hike Year Round
- 6 Easy Hikes in Vancouver for Beginners and Tourists
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30 Comments
Gary Jones
April 12, 2016 at 9:54 am2 others you can add to this:
1. The Abby Grind. Just off the #1 Highway at Whatcom Exit this 10k out and back is the Valleys version of the Grind.
2. Baden Powell up from Cleveland Dam. This has all the up of the Grind, free parking and you can work the down muscles too!
Taryn Eyton
April 12, 2016 at 8:05 pmOh thanks for the suggestions. It’s interesting how many communities in the Lower Mainland have their own “Grind”. I looked up the Abby Grind and it seems to be about 2km one way with about 400m of elevation gain for a 20% grade – not bad!
For the Baden Powell up from Cleveland Dam do you just mean the part where the BP is on Nancy Green road? It’s definitely steep but I don’t know that I’d call it a hike 😉
Gary Jones
April 13, 2016 at 8:54 amThe Abby Grind can extend out to 5k one way and then 10k total trip if you keep going. It’s definately not as steep as the Grouse Grind.
If you do the Baden Powell at Cleveland Dam towards Cypress. I would agree Nancy Green Way is a lot of up but definately not a hike.
Taryn Eyton
April 13, 2016 at 6:20 pmOh I feel silly – of course you meant heading west on the BP!
mike
April 14, 2016 at 9:38 amOne more. Mount Seymour. In my mind it has the best views of all, The highest elevation point and, the old su alpine. You can target one of the three peaks or even make a quick one up to Brockton point. Bears are a common sight. These is a nice little gem with no stairs 🙂
Taryn Eyton
April 14, 2016 at 4:55 pmThat’s a good suggestion Mike – I always think of Seymour as a full day outing but if you just go to First Peak (aka Pump Peak) it’s only 3.5km one way with about 360m of elevation gain so about 10% grade. Not as steep as some of the others on this list but definitely steepish. I also agree that the view is incredible. It’s probably my favourite peak on the North Shore.
Greg Curtiss
April 14, 2016 at 6:56 pmWest Lion from Lions Bay. My favourite local steep hike. Great views at the 3/4 mark and the top ridge .
Taryn Eyton
April 14, 2016 at 11:10 pmThat is definitely a steep one Greg – 8km one way with 1280m of elevation gain (16% grade) – I could barely walk the day after I hiked that one. For me its definitely an all-day epic rather than a quick training hike like the Grind though.
Karen g
April 15, 2016 at 8:31 amDiez vistas at buntzen lake is a great hike. It’s been a while since I hiked it, but perhaps it fits your criteria? There’s a spot for ice cream and beer on the road back out.
Taryn Eyton
April 15, 2016 at 10:20 pmOh I like that one. Except I wish it still had diez vistas… I think it’s more like tres or quattro vistas now 🙂
Andy
April 19, 2016 at 10:31 pmIn the past I’ve just done Uno Vista – it’s a pretty good workout just to get to the first viewpoint if pressed for time.
Tom
April 15, 2016 at 9:14 amHalvor Lunden (or carry on to White Rock for the better view)
Swan Falls (bike the 4 km of flat)
South half of Diez Vista (to vista 3) from either Sasamat or Buntzen.
http://www.tricitynews.com/lifestyles/take-a-hike-head-for-the-hills-here-1.2230485
Taryn Eyton
April 15, 2016 at 10:23 pmOh I also saw that article Tom! I’m less familiar with the Coquitlam area trails so there are some I definitely want to check out – Swan Falls for sure. I did Halvor Lunden last fall – we did the whole loop through the lakes but didn’t head over to White Rock. I definitely want to spend more time in that area.
Clayton
April 16, 2016 at 7:38 amCoquitlam and the tri-cities have a lot of options… and without the parking hassles and crowds of the Grind and the north shore hikes. Swan Falls is a bit more than an afterwork hike but Halvor Lunden to the ridge and back could be, that piece is also the steepest and most like the grind. There are a number of trails around the south end of Eagle Ridge between Buntzen and Westwood Plateau that make great two to three hour (8-12km) hikes with almost all of it being either up or down. There are a couple on Burke Mountain as well, the steepest is probably the Munro Lake trail which is like a much less used BCMC.
Taryn Eyton
April 16, 2016 at 7:26 pmThanks for the Coquitlam info – apparently it is an area I should spend some more time in! I’ve only done Halvor Lunden and the south of end of Eagle Ridge from your list. I definitely want to check out Swan Falls though.
Tony Weber
April 18, 2016 at 10:48 amHi Taryn, thanks for the help in weekend planning. Happy to see your spending your time so well:)
Taryn Eyton
April 18, 2016 at 6:00 pmGlad you enjoyed it Tony (although I think I still feel more comfortable calling you Mr. Weber!) Let me know which hike you picked and how it went.
Rob
April 18, 2016 at 9:02 pmMinnekhada High Knoll is a great simple hike – it’s only 180m in elevation (and 10km round trip), but you can always run it if you don’t think it’s hard enough. 🙂
https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/minnekhada-regional-park/
Rob
April 19, 2016 at 9:25 amMy family recently did Tea Pot Hill in Chilliwack. When we reviewed it on the trail guide it said 2.5k and a rating of easy. Descriptions were a quick steep incline from the trail head than levels out. As my wife is recovering from shredded ACL AND MCL in her knee. This “easy” hike was what we needed. Little did we know it was probably a 15 degree slope or woese the whole way. We made it, and found 84 tea pots but it would have nice to know what we were getting into.
I thank you for including slope grades etc in your trail reviews so that would be hikers know what they are getting into. Also whether the trails are groomed or natural because that helps determine footwear. CHEERS
Andy
April 19, 2016 at 10:34 pmElk Mountain is another good steep workout, plus it’s a good snowshoe option in winter. I read a recent Club Tread trip report that showed the snow has melted from the slopes already! Bring on the flowers 🙂
Taryn Eyton
April 20, 2016 at 6:18 pmThanks for the suggestion Andy… but Elk is on the list (although it is at the end!) I’m also looking forward to flower season up there.
Outdoor enthusiast
April 20, 2016 at 2:19 pmDewdney grind with a grade 30 % taking the south trail. Excellent views of Fraser Valley and a luxurious cabin at the top. However, you can still go farther until the bluffs. 🙂
Mariken van Nimwegen
June 14, 2016 at 10:31 pmSo far, you’ve forgotten the east side’s alternative to the Grind: it’s on Burnaby Mountain, on the Burrard Inlet side of SFU, above the Velodrome. It involves hundreds and hundreds of steps in a fairly short burst: most ‘gymnasts’ do it several times up and down. You can also do the whole Mountain loop north of SFU: start at Horizons Restaurant (or better yet, park at the eastern foot of Hastings Street in the neighbourhood and start climbing there), walk around the cliff to the east, keep going thru the forest to the powerline, take a left, descend to almost Barnet Hwy; then head back west through the beautiful forest trail, past the mountain bike playground, back into the forest, and end with this huge staircase which brings you back up just west of Horizons. Take a left at the top of the staircase and cross the lawn back to the parking lot. A nice quick hike with plenty of challenge – I often trail run it.
Taryn Eyton
June 15, 2016 at 9:14 pmOh I hadn’t heard of that one. It sounds like a local secret! I knew there were steep trails on that side of Burnaby Mountain but I’ve never hiked in the area. I just looked it up and it looks like the Velodrome Trail up to Horizons is about 1.4km with about 250m of elevation gain (so a grade of 17.8% – not bad!). What’s your apres suggestion? 😉
Rod
April 16, 2017 at 3:47 pmYou have the Dewdney Grind in Mission. 550 meters over 1.9 km In Chilliwack go for Gloria Lookout…1200 meters 5.5 km
Candice
June 12, 2017 at 9:01 amLove this post! Great suggestions for hikes other than the Grind!!
Anna
July 6, 2017 at 2:09 pmDon’t forget the Hope Lookout in Hope, BC. http://hopemountain.org/trails/hope-lookout-trail/
Taryn Eyton
July 6, 2017 at 4:41 pmOh that’s a good suggestion Anna. I haven’t done that one. I just looked up the stats. 2.4km one way with an elevation gain of 470m works out to about 19% grade – pretty steep! What’s your after hike beer/snacks suggestion? Pie at the Hope Home?
Alan Osborne
August 13, 2017 at 10:12 pmEvan’s Peak in Golden Ears Provincial Park:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/evans-peak-trail
Super steep, fairly short, great views!
Emily
June 24, 2019 at 6:45 amCool post! I almost never see grades of hikes compared like that. It was interesting to match the grade with how hard I felt each hike was haha!