Baden Powell Trail: Grouse Mountain Park to Lynn Valley

The Baden Powell Trail: Grouse Mountain Park to Lynn Valley is classic North Vancouver hiking: long, rugged, and way more technical than the stats suggest. It’s listed at 14.6 km with about 864 m of gain and a top elevation around 506 m, but many people record closer to 15 km or more depending on turnarounds and detours. Expect a solid 5–6 hours on your feet, with the effort really stacking up in the final couple of kilometres toward Grouse.

The hike runs along the North Shore slopes between Grouse Mountain and Lynn Valley, weaving through huge trees, mossy singletrack, and a steady mix of roots, rocks, and short punchy climbs. There are waterfalls, creeks to rock-hop, and a few exposed, sloping sections near Grouse that feel dicey when wet, plus some shared stretches with mountain bikers around Mount Fromme. The trail is generally well marked with Baden Powell posts and orange markers, but there are a few spots near Skyline Drive, water tanks, and trailheads where it’s easy to follow the “wrong” obvious path downhill if you’re not paying attention.

Recent hikers report wet, muddy, and slippery conditions in the rain, with some construction detours near the Baden Powell and Powerline junction and partial closures around Skyline and the Grouse Grind area; follow the posted detours and markers and expect a bit of extra distance. This route is doable year-round, but it’s far more enjoyable on a dry day when the roots and sloping sections have grip. Dogs are allowed on leash, transit access at both ends makes one-way hikes easier, and if you’re not confident with navigation, download an offline map and keep an eye out for those spaced-out markers so you don’t drift off trail.