Baden Powell Trail: Deep Cove to Lynn Canyon

The Baden Powell Trail: Deep Cove to Lynn Canyon is one of North Vancouver’s classic point-to-point hikes, and it earns its “challenging” label. At about 11.9 km with around 656 m of gain, it’s a solid half-day that most people finish in just over 4 hours, with enough ups and downs to leave your legs talking. It links two busy trail hubs but gives you a long, quiet middle section where it’s just you, the forest, and the sound of water.

From Deep Cove you climb past the always-busy Quarry Rock area, then the crowds thin and the Baden Powell settles into classic North Shore terrain: rooty singletrack, short steep grinds, and shaded forest that’s great on a hot day. There are water views early on, some narrow cliffy bits, creek crossings, and a rocky descent closer to Lynn Canyon that many people feel in their knees. Views are more about canyons, rivers, and the big rock at Deep Cove than big mountain panoramas, but the variety keeps it interesting the whole way.

Right now, the big thing to know is bridge and closure issues near the Seymour River: the Pipeline Bridge is closed until at least December 2025, and sections around the Seymour River Bridge and Fisherman’s Trail have periodic construction and detours. Hikers have been using Fisherman’s Trail, Grantham Place, or the Powerline area to reroute, and sometimes even grabbing a bus or rideshare to skip the long road workaround, so check current notices before you go. The trail itself is well marked with orange blazes and usually in good shape, but it gets slick and muddy after rain, and the loose rock on the steeper downs can be slippery, so hiking poles help. Bring more water than you think you need, expect limited cell service and no taps, and try for a dry day if you’re not used to wet roots and boulders.