Vancouver Area

  • St. Mark’s Summit Hike in West Vancouver

    St. Mark’s Summit Hike in West Vancouver

    With incredible panoramic views of the waters of Howe Sound dotted with small islands, the St. Mark’s Summit trail is one of Vancouver’s best hikes. I also love the gorgeous forest on the way to the peak. I’ve hiked this trail countless times and the view at the end always…

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  • Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver for 2024

    Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver for 2024

    Update March 2025: With changes to the Instagram algorithm and the rise of Tiktok, the metrics I used to create this list in the past are no longer relevant so I won’t be updating this list going forward. This list of the most Instagrammed hikes in Vancouver was first published…

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  • Tunnel Bluffs Hike in Lions Bay

    Tunnel Bluffs Hike in Lions Bay

    The view from Tunnel Bluffs in Lions Bay is spectacular. The hike takes you to an open bluff with an incredible view of Howe Sound. As a Squamish local, I’ve hiked all over the Sea to Sky area, and I think the Tunnel Bluffs hike has one of the best…

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  • Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds

    Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds

    I grew up in Vancouver and went on my first camping trip at age five. Since then, I’ve been camping more times than I can remember. In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to find the best camping near Vancouver, BC. Sometimes you want to go on…

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  • Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler

    Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler

    As a local, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve driven the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. When I lived in Vancouver, I drove it at least twice a year, and now that I live in Squamish, I drive it about twice a month. The Sea…

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  • 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver

    15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver

    Most hikes go to a mountain top, a lake or a viewpoint. Those hikes are great, but sometimes you want something different. Something a little unusual. Something off-the-beaten path. Or even something even a little bit weird. Well don’t worry: I got you! I’ve got a list of 15 unusual…

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  • The Best Vancouver Hiking Books

    The Best Vancouver Hiking Books

    Even in the age of the internet and social media, books are still one of my favourite ways to get info about hiking trails. I’m a bit of a hiking guidebook conoisseur. I own over 100 hiking guide books, most of them for British Columbia. In this post, I’ll give…

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  • How to Hike the Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls Trail in Vancouver

    How to Hike the Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls Trail in Vancouver

    The hike to the Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls in North Vancouver is one of my favourite local hikes. Since it’s at a fairly low elevation, it’s a great hike almost all year since it doesn’t get much snow. And it’s entirely in the trees, making it a great hike…

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  • Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver

    Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver

    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…

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  • Active Vancouver: Book Review

    Active Vancouver: Book Review

    If you want an introduction to outdoor activities in Vancouver, pick up a copy of Active Vancouver by Roy Jantzen.  It’s got local recommendations for hiking, trail running, paddling, snowshoeing, cycling and more. Each adventure has a really cool “Eco-Insight” section with fun info about some of the plants, animals,…

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