North Shore · Moderate · one-way

capilano pacific trail

A moderate one-way route along the water, mostly through forest. Expect about 200 m of climbing; most people take 2–3 hours.

Moderate · 7–8 km one-way · +150–200 m climb · 2–3 hours · Dogs: on leash

Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page

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MODERATE
Difficulty 2 of 4
JFMAMJJASONDALL YEARSEASON
Year-round

quick facts

Distance
7–8 km
Elevation gain
150–200 m
Typical time
2–3 hours
Route
one-way
Dogs
On leash
Drive from downtown
~20 min
Trail ticket

your trail ticket

Hike Vancouver · Trail ticketNo. 084

capilano pacific trail

North Shore · ~20 min from downtown · reachable by transit

Trailhead
Ambleside Park (south) or Cleveland Dam (north)
Difficulty
Moderate
Hiking time
2–3 hours
Suggested start
Before 11 am
Distance
7–8 km
Climb
+150–200 m
Season
Year-round

Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Capilano River Regional Park) and District of West Vancouver before you go.

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elevation profile schematic

+200 m0 km8 km

Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.

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trail facts

RegionNorth Shore
DifficultyModerate
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadAmbleside Park (south) or Cleveland Dam (north)
Parking & transitTransit reaches the trailhead or close to it (check TransLink).
Permits & passesNone.
DogsOn leash
Kid-friendlyBetter for older, fit kids or adults
HighlightsForest, Lakes & water
CrowdsModerate
Managed byMetro Vancouver Regional Parks (Capilano River Regional Park) and District of West Vancouver

safety notes

Distance is one way along the Capilano River between Ambleside and Cleveland Dam. Steep, rooty sections near the canyon.

Numbers are approximate. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Capilano River Regional Park) and District of West Vancouver for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.

questions

How long is Capilano Pacific Trail?

About 7–8 km (one-way) with roughly 150–200 m of elevation gain. Most people take 2–3 hours. Figures are approximate; check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Capilano River Regional Park) and District of West Vancouver before you go.

Are dogs allowed on Capilano Pacific Trail?

Yes, on leash.

Do I need a pass or permit for Capilano Pacific Trail?

None.

Can I get to Capilano Pacific Trail by transit?

Yes, transit reaches this trailhead or very close to it. Check TransLink for current routes.

sources

See also: Hikes you can reach by transit · Winter-friendly low-level walks · Dog-friendly hikes · Lake hikes · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · North Shore hikes · Rainy-day hikes · Dog-friendly hikes · Hikes you can reach by transit · Guides

Cite this page

Hike Vancouver. "Capilano Pacific Trail." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/capilano-pacific-trail/

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nearby in north shore

NSGrouse GrindVery hard · 2.5 km · +800 m · 1–2 hoursNSQuarry RockEasy · 3.8–4 km · +100–150 m · 1–1.5 hoursNSLynn LoopEasy · 5–5.5 km · +100–150 m · 1.5–2 hours
Cam Appleton, Vancouver real estate agent, climbing the side of a downtown tower at sunset with the North Shore mountains behind
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good to know cam

Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.

My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.

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Commercial & Residential Real Estate · Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty