Cleveland Dam to West Lake via Baden Powell Trail

Cleveland Dam to West Lake via Baden Powell Trail is a solid North Shore grind that strings together city-edge paths, classic West Vancouver forest, and a quiet alpine lake. At 13.7 km with about 800 m of elevation gain and a top elevation around 900 m, it’s a challenging out-and-back that usually takes just over 5 hours. You start right from Cleveland Dam, so you get big views and easy transit access before you even hit the real climb.

The Baden Powell section from Cleveland Dam toward Ballantree Park feels urban at first, weaving past houses and crossing a few streets with limited shade. Once you’re into the woods, the trail steepens and turns into classic North Shore hiking: roots, rocks, creek crossings, and steady elevation. West Lake itself is calm and clear, a great payoff after the climb, but expect a bit of bushwhacking around the shoreline if you want to explore.

Recent hikers report lots of snow lingering around West Lake and the upper sections, so microspikes are strongly recommended until it truly warms up. The Brothers Creek bridge is down, and both forks near the top lack proper crossings, but you can rock-hop across without getting soaked or use the Crossover Trail as a safer workaround. Plan extra time, bring poles for the snow and creek crossings, and aim for late spring through fall for the best experience on the Cleveland Dam to West Lake via Baden Powell Trail in West Vancouver.