Baden Powell Trail and Powerline Loop

Baden Powell Trail and Powerline Loop in North Vancouver is a short but punchy outing that feels like a real North Shore hike without swallowing your whole day. At 4.7 km with about 254 m of gain and a high point around 505 m, it’s solidly moderate and usually takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on how often you stop to catch your breath or check the map. Expect a mix of classic forest singletrack on the Baden Powell and open, sunny stretches along the Powerline trail.

The Baden Powell section under Grouse Mountain is the “real hike” part of the loop, with steady elevation, rocky bits, roots, and some steeper ups and downs that will get your legs working. Trail runners and stronger hikers will find it straightforward, but it can feel technical for casual hikers, especially where it’s rocky or slick and where you have to cross creeks without bridges. The Powerline Trail is the cool-down: wide, mostly gravel, easier grades, with a few peek-a-boo views south toward the city and lots of sky compared to the dense forest below.

Recent hikers report the trail as generally in good shape, though some of the eastern descents are dry and loose, and the rocky sections can be slippery when wet, so good footwear matters. The Baden Powell Trail and Powerline Loop can be easy to wander off if you’re chatting and not watching for markers, so keep an eye on your map at junctions and powerline crossings. Creek levels are manageable in drier months, but once the fall rains hit, expect higher water and trickier crossings; this route is better for adults and confident teens than small kids or nervous dogs.