Loop of the Siwash Rock and Merilees Trails

Loop of the Siwash Rock and Merilees Trails is actually in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, not North Vancouver, and it’s a quick little coastal loop that feels like a mini escape from the city. At 2.9 km with about 78 m of gain, it’s rated very easy on paper, but recent hikers keep flagging one thing: there’s a short section that feels steeeeeeep on the way back up.

The loop usually starts on the gravel Merilees Trail through tall trees before dropping you down toward the seawall and Siwash Rock, one of Stanley Park’s most famous landmarks. You get that mix of shaded forest path and wide-open ocean views, with the North Shore mountains, freighters in the harbour, and the Lions Gate Bridge all in sight on a clear day. It’s short, but there’s enough variety that it doesn’t feel like a throwaway walk.

Expect a well-groomed gravel path, clear signage, and a paved section along the water, but be ready for that one steep climb back up from the seawall that can surprise people who saw “very easy” and expected flat. Most walkers finish the Loop of the Siwash Rock and Merilees Trails in under an hour, even with photo stops. The route is open year-round, dogs are allowed on leash, and in wet weather the gravel holds up well, though the steeper bits can feel slick, so casual shoes with some grip make it a more relaxed outing.