Cedars Mill Trail

Cedars Mill Trail in North Vancouver is the kind of route you pick when you just want easy forest time without having to grind up a mountain. This 8.2 km out-and-back follows Lynn Creek with only about 104 m of gain, topping out around 295 m, so it feels more like a long walk than a serious hike. Expect about 1 hour 45 minutes at a casual pace, with plenty of spots to pause, breathe, and even throw down a picnic blanket.

The trail is wide, mostly flat, and well marked, making it popular with trail runners, dog walkers, and anyone easing into hiking. You get steady creek noise, tall trees, and the odd mushroom sighting, including yellow amanitas in season. The final viewpoint is decent, but locals often use Cedars Mill as an easier alternative approach toward Norvan Falls, or as an out-and-back leg-stretcher when they just want forest and fresh air.

Recent reports say Cedars Mill Trail stays very easy overall, though the first couple of kilometres can feel a bit tougher before it settles into a smooth cruise. After rain, expect some mud and a few slick, rocky patches, and in winter it can turn snowy and slippery, so traction helps. It’s usually quieter on rainy days and evenings, busier on weekends with off-leash dogs in designated sections, and if the Norvan Falls road access is closed, people often start from Rice Lake parking and tack on a bit of extra distance.