Quarry Rock Lookout via Cove Runner / Rain Dancer Trail

Quarry Rock Lookout via Cove Runner / Rain Dancer Trail is a mellow North Vancouver forest hike with a huge payoff at the end. At 6.4 km with about 258 m of gain and a low high point around 179 m, it’s an easy out-and-back that most people wrap up in about two hours. The surprise is how quiet it feels compared to the classic Quarry Rock trail, right up until you pop out at the shared lookout and hit the crowds and cameras.

The route itself is classic North Shore: roots, rocks, rolling ups and downs, and big trees all around. The Cove Runner / Rain Dancer approach to Quarry Rock Lookout feels more like a soft forest run than a grind, with a few little creeks, log bridges, and short, punchy climbs to keep it interesting. Views explode open at the lookout over Deep Cove and Indian Arm, and a lot of locals like to combine this route with the main Quarry Rock trail to drop into Deep Cove for a snack or coffee.

Recent hikers say the trail is almost completely unmarked, so download the AllTrails map and expect to check it at junctions, especially near the start and around any big log bridges or side paths toward neighbourhoods. Conditions swing between very dry, dusty, and slippery roots to higher water levels that make minor creek crossings a bit more awkward, so hiking shoes or boots are smart. Quarry Rock Lookout via Cove Runner / Rain Dancer Trail stays hikeable year-round, but it’s busiest at the viewpoint on sunny evenings and weekends; go early or on a weekday morning for easy parking on nearby streets and a surprisingly quiet walk through the woods.