Quarry Rock Lookout from Deep Cove

Quarry Rock Lookout from Deep Cove in North Vancouver is one of those short hikes that still makes you feel like you earned your view. The trail is about 3.9 km return with around 206 m of gain, and most people take just over an hour if they’re not rushing. It’s rated moderate for a reason: the distance is friendly, but the stairs and constant ups and downs add up.

The route starts right from Deep Cove and quickly pulls you into classic North Shore forest, almost fully shaded on the way in. Expect lots of wooden stairs, roots, and bridges as you follow the Baden Powell-style singletrack toward the lookout. The payoff is Quarry Rock itself, a big exposed slab with wide views over Deep Cove, Indian Arm, and the North Shore mountains, amazing at sunset but very hot and bright on sunny days with almost no shade.

Right now the Quarry Rock Lookout from Deep Cove is well maintained and easy to follow, but it’s not ideal for anyone with mobility issues due to the uneven terrain and heavy stair sections. It gets very busy, especially weekends and nice evenings, so expect crowds, off-leash dogs, and “traffic jams” on narrow sections; go early, later in the day, or in fall and winter for easier parking and a quieter trail. The rock can be crowded with limited sitting space, the forest gets dark fast after sunset, and the trail can be wet and muddy after rain, so bring a light, wear decent footwear, and give yourself a bit of extra time to get back to Deep Cove.