Huckleberry - Hemlock - Salish - Imperial

Huckleberry - Hemlock - Salish - Imperial is a mellow loop in Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit Regional Park, wrapping together some of the park’s best forest walking in one easy 9.5 km package. With only about 121 m of gain and a high point under 100 m, it’s more of a relaxed wander than a workout, usually taking around two hours at a steady pace. It’s a solid choice if you want a real-forest feel without leaving the city or dealing with big hills.

The trail rolls through tall, shaded coastal forest with mostly smooth, wide paths and the odd bumpy or rooty stretch to keep it interesting. In autumn, the mushrooms along Huckleberry and Hemlock steal the show, and you’ll likely hear plenty of birds and see happy dogs trotting by. Parts of the loop get close to Marine Drive, so expect some traffic noise in sections, but you’re quickly back into quiet woods, and side trips can link you down toward Spanish Banks, Tower Beach, or the UBC area if you want to extend the day.

Recent hikers report the Huckleberry - Hemlock - Salish - Imperial loop as easy and well-marked, but you should be ready for mud after rain, especially near the start and in low spots. Good waterproof or at least grippy shoes help, and keep an eye out for bikes, since this is a shared path and popular for casual rides and trail runs. The route is enjoyable year-round, but in winter and on stormy days expect wetter, slicker sections, washed-up kelp and seaweed if you drop to Acadia Beach, and the odd surprise on the shoreline, from driftwood to the occasional dead seal washed up with the tide.