Coliseum Mountain

Coliseum Mountain in North Vancouver is a classic North Shore grind: long, steep, and way more committing than it looks on a map. The out-and-back route from Lynn Headwaters is about 22–26 km depending on your start point, with roughly 1,300 m of gain and most hikers taking 8–10 hours. It’s a big day, but locals keep coming back for the summit views and the little tarn just below the top.

The approach along Lynn Creek is easy going, then the real work starts after Norvan Falls as the Coliseum Mountain trail kicks up hard through roots, rocks, and old boardwalks. The grade is sustained, with some short sections of light scrambling and a few false summits, but no ropes or true exposure. Higher up, the forest thins, blueberries appear in late summer, and you pop out onto open rock with wide views over Vancouver, the Coast Range, and nearby Mount Burwell, plus a small lake that’s cold but amazing for a quick swim on a hot day.

Recent hikers report the trail as well flagged and freshly brushed out, but still classic North Shore: muddy after rain, slick logs, and some overgrown stretches and minor landslide crossings. Plan for a full-day effort, start early to avoid hiking out in the dark, and bring plenty of food plus at least 2–3 L of water, or a filter to use at the creeks between Norvan Falls and Coliseum. Snow can linger above 1,100–1,200 m in spring and early summer, and conditions change fast, so check the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park website for openings and be ready to turn back if weather or visibility shuts things down.