A moderate out-and-back hike through old-growth forest, with a view at the end. Expect about 450 m of climbing; most people take 3–4 hours.
Moderate · 7–8 km out-and-back · +400–450 m climb · 3–4 hours · Dogs: on leash
Verified on October 24, 2026 against the official park page: dogs, parking. Other figures are approximate. · Sources · Cite this page
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North Shore · ~30 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Cypress Provincial Park) before you go.
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | North Shore |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Year-round; snowshoe trail fees apply in winter |
| Trailhead | Cypress Nordic area lot |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | No pass. Free parking year-round in Lot 3B and signed road shoulders; Cypress Resort may charge for other lots Nov 1 to May 31. |
| Dogs | On leash |
| Kid-friendly | Better for older, fit kids or adults |
| Highlights | Views, Old growth |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Cypress Provincial Park) |
Passes old-growth yellow cedar. Final pitch is steep.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Cypress Provincial Park) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 7–8 km (out-and-back) with roughly 400–450 m of elevation gain. Most people take 3–4 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Cypress Provincial Park) before you go.
Yes, on leash.
No pass. Free parking year-round in Lot 3B and signed road shoulders; Cypress Resort may charge for other lots Nov 1 to May 31.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Dog-friendly hikes · Hikes with the best views · Old-growth forest walks · 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 · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Hollyburn Mountain." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/hollyburn/
From the Cypress cross-country kiosk, walk north past the patrol building to the Baden-Powell heading east into forest. Climb steadily across many small creeks for about 50 minutes past the old Mount Strachan Trail to the Hollyburn Mountain Trail, then turn north and zigzag up through blueberry meadow and forest, past a bench viewpoint over the Capilano Valley, to the summit with views of the Lions, Howe Sound and the city. Return the same way.
Watch for: Bridges can be slippery. Wait for snowmelt.
Best season: Best July to October
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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.
Cam Appleton