North Shore · Very hard · one-way up

grouse grind

Steep, relentless steps straight up the face of Grouse Mountain, with almost no views until you top out at the chalet. People come for the workout and the time on the clock, then ride the gondola down.

Very hard · 2.5 km one-way up · +800 m climb · 1–2 hours · Dogs: no dogs

Verified on October 24, 2026 against the official park page: distance, gain, dogs, route, closure. Other figures are approximate. · Sources · Cite this page

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Difficulty 4 of 4

Late spring to fall (seasonal opening)

quick facts

Distance: 2.5 km
Elevation gain: 800 m
Typical time: 1–2 hours
Route: one-way up
Dogs: No dogs
Drive from downtown: ~20 min

Trail ticket

your trail ticket

Hike Vancouver · Trail ticketNo. 001

grouse grind

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

Trailhead: Base of Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way
Difficulty: Very hard
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Suggested start: Any daylight hour
Distance: 2.5 km
Climb: +800 m
Season: Late spring to fall

Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Grouse Mountain Regional Park) before you go.

Scan to openhikevancouver.ca/trails/grouse-grind/

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elevation profile schematic

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

Region	North Shore
Difficulty	Very hard
Season	Late spring to fall (seasonal opening)
Trailhead	Base of Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way
Parking & transit	Transit reaches the trailhead or close to it (check TransLink).
Permits & passes	None. Downhill hiking is not allowed; the gondola down is a paid ticket.
Dogs	No dogs
Kid-friendly	Better for older, fit kids or adults
Highlights	Views
Crowds	Busy, especially weekends
Managed by	Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Grouse Mountain Regional Park)

safety notes

Metro Vancouver lists about 2.5 km and 800 m of gain, uphill only. Dogs are not allowed. The trail closed for maintenance October 13 to November 10, 2026; the BCMC Route (2.9 km, about 750 m) is the posted alternative.

Numbers are approximate. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Grouse Mountain Regional Park) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.

questions

How long is Grouse Grind?

About 2.5 km (one-way up) with roughly 800 m of elevation gain. Most people take 1–2 hours. Figures are approximate; check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Grouse Mountain Regional Park) before you go.

Are dogs allowed on Grouse Grind?

No. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Do I need a pass or permit for Grouse Grind?

None. Downhill hiking is not allowed; the gondola down is a paid ticket.

Can I get to Grouse Grind by transit?

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

sources

https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/grouse-grind (checked October 24, 2026)
https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/Documents/grouse-mountain-regional-park-brochure.pdf (checked October 24, 2026)
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Grouse Mountain Regional Park)
AdventureSmart
TransLink

Cite this page

Hike Vancouver. "Grouse Grind." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/grouse-grind/

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nearby in north shore

NSQuarry RockEasy · 3.8–4 km · +100–150 m · 1–1.5 hours NSLynn LoopEasy · 5–5.5 km · +100–150 m · 1.5–2 hours NSLynn PeakChallenging · 9 km · +700–720 m · 3–4 hours

grouse grind

quick facts

your trail ticket

grouse grind

elevation profile schematic

trail facts

safety notes

questions

sources

nearby in north shore

good to know cam