Fifth Horseman Trail

Fifth Horseman Trail in West Vancouver is a short but serious ride, famous in the North Shore mountain biking scene. At 3.9 km with only 39 m of total gain and a max altitude around 658 m, it sounds tame on paper, but this is a point-to-point downhill line built for riders who know what they’re doing. Hikers do use it, but the trail is really designed as a very advanced mountain bike descent.

The riding experience on Fifth Horseman is all about steep, technical features, tight corners, and committing moves that come one after another. The grade trends downhill, so you’re mostly managing speed, line choice, and obstacles rather than grinding climbs. Views are mostly forested North Shore style: dense trees, roots, rock slabs, and that classic West Vancouver coastal rainforest feel rather than big open vistas.

Recent reports say the Fifth Horseman Trail is in great shape, but “great” here still means dangerous if you’re not an expert rider. Expect slippery roots, rock rolls, and man-made features that demand modern gear, a full-face helmet, and solid bike handling. It’s best in late spring through fall when things dry out a bit; in winter and after heavy rain it gets slick and punishing. If you’re hiking, stay alert for fast riders and treat this as a shared-use, bike-priority trail rather than an easy walking path.