Mount Strachan South Peak via Collins Trail

Mount Strachan South Peak via Collins Trail is one of the fastest ways to get high above West Vancouver, but it makes you earn every metre. This 6.6 km out-and-back climbs about 518 m to roughly 1,427 m, and most people need close to 3 hours thanks to the steady grind. It’s challenging, a bit rough around the edges, and much quieter than the classic Cypress Mountain hiking routes.

The route follows old ski runs and sections of the original Mount Strachan trail, so expect long, open slopes, loose rock underfoot, and almost no shade. Views open up quickly over Howe Sound, the Lions, and the city, and on a clear day the panorama from the South Peak is a solid payoff, especially if you happen to have the summit to yourself. There’s also a T-33 plane wreck memorial nearby on the mountain, which adds some unexpected history to the day.

Current reports on Mount Strachan South Peak via Collins Trail say it’s steep, dusty in dry weather, and can be muddy or slushy with variable snow earlier or later in the season, with some postholing. The trail is not officially maintained or well marked, so route-finding skills help, and some hikers have gotten off track in overgrown or confusing sections; watch for “Old Strachan Trail” signs and bring a GPS map. Expect a tough workout on the cat track, occasional scrambling near the top, possible bear sightings, and strong sun exposure; many locals aim for a cooler morning start, hike up, then pay for a chairlift ride down when it’s running in summer.