Quarry Rock Lookout via Old Buck Trail

Quarry Rock Lookout via Old Buck Trail is a solid North Vancouver grind if you want a quieter approach to this famous viewpoint. At about 9.3 km return with 465 m of gain and a top elevation around 349 m, it’s a steady moderate effort that usually takes just over 3 hours. You’re mostly in the trees, working your way up from the Mount Seymour side instead of the busy Deep Cove route, so it feels more like a workout than a sightseeing stroll.

The Old Buck Trail itself is mostly wide gravel and dirt, with a few rougher, rooty stretches as you get closer to the Baden Powell and the final push to Quarry Rock. The forest is classic North Shore: tall evergreens, damp ground, and enough incline to get your legs burning without any truly brutal sections. The payoff is the Quarry Rock lookout over Deep Cove and Indian Arm, which can be surprisingly busy even when the approach from Old Buck has felt calm and spacious.

Right now, expect it to be wet and a bit muddy in spots, with some slick roots and a few damaged bridges and boardwalks you’ll need to step around carefully. Bugs can be annoying in warmer, still weather, so bring spray, and plan for a lot of shade and cool, damp conditions even in summer. The trail is generally well marked and in good shape, but always check current notices, as there have been occasional closures near bridge sections after storms; shoulder seasons and weekday evenings tend to be the best for fewer crowds at Quarry Rock.