Pauline's Rock Loop

Pauline’s Rock Loop in North Vancouver is one of those short Old Buck area rambles you do when you want some quiet forest time without a big climb. At 2.9 km with about 150 m of gain, it’s an easy loop that most people finish in around an hour, starting from the Old Buck parking lot on Mount Seymour Road. Don’t come expecting a big viewpoint though; the name oversells it a bit.

The route winds through classic North Vancouver second-growth forest, bouncing between hiking trails and mixed-use bike routes like Empress Bypass and the Bridle Trail. You’ll follow soft singletrack, some loose rock, and a couple of rougher access paths up to Pauline’s Rock itself, which is really just a rounded rock bluff buried in trees with only a tiny glimpse of a mountain to the east. The walking is never very steep or technical, so it’s more of a relaxed wander than a workout, and strong hikers often tack on extra loops like the NSHA Loop or Smoke’s Loam to make it feel like a fuller outing.

Recent reports say parts of Pauline’s Rock Loop are overgrown and sections have turned into a loose rock creek bed, so it can feel a bit scrappy and underused. The access trails in and out of Pauline’s Rock are faint in spots and not well marked, so download a map and keep your phone handy to avoid wandering off route. The loop is generally accessible most of the year, but conditions change quickly with rain and winter weather in North Vancouver, so expect mud, slick roots, and slower travel after storms and during the colder months.