Crown Mountain

Crown Mountain in North Vancouver is one of those hikes that absolutely earns its reputation. It’s only about 9.2 km out and back, but with roughly 866 m of gain and constant ups and downs, it feels much bigger. Expect a solid full-day effort from the Grouse Mountain area, not the 1.5 hours the stats might suggest, and know up front this is a difficult, technical route for experienced hikers only.

The route usually starts from the Grouse Mountain chalet after taking the Skyride or grinding up via the Grouse Grind or BCMC. From there you roll over Dam Mountain, drop steeply into a forested valley, then climb hard toward Crown on a rugged trail with roots, rock, and a lot of hands-on scrambling. The final push to the 1500 m summit is steep and exposed in spots, with chains and rock ledges, but the payoff is huge: wide-open views over Vancouver, the North Shore peaks, and on a clear day a full 360-degree mountain panorama.

Recent hikers report the Crown Mountain trail is snow free in summer, well maintained but easy to lose briefly if you’re not watching for markers, and very dry with no water sources past the chalet, so bring more water than you think you’ll need. Expect bugs on warm days, loose rock kicked down by hikers above, and some sections that feel airy if you’re not great with heights, though most people find the scrambling manageable with good boots and patience. Bear activity around the Ridge and backcountry access has caused intermittent closures, so always check Grouse Mountain or Metro Vancouver updates before heading up and aim for stable, clear weather for this one.