Skyline Trail: Cypress Bowl Road to Lower Brewis Trail

Skyline Trail: Cypress Bowl Road to Lower Brewis Trail is a low-key, under-the-radar hike in West Vancouver that feels a bit wilder than its “easy” rating suggests. At 7.9 km out-and-back with about 211 m of gain and a high point around 676 m, it’s more of a steady wander than a grind, usually taking just over two hours. You get a mix of open powerline corridor and forested singletrack, with fewer crowds than the better-known Cypress Provincial Park routes.

The Skyline Trail section under the powerlines is part of the Trans Canada Trail, so it’s wide, open, and straightforward, with long sightlines and a more exposed feel. Once you move into the narrower Skyline singletrack toward the Lower Brewis Trail junction, things tighten up quickly, with a faint path pushing through bushes and light brush. Stay on the main hiking route and skip the Jersey Shore MTB trail on descent, as that section is built for bikes and can feel awkward and rough on foot.

Recent reports say Skyline is overgrown in spots, which is pretty normal here, so expect some brushing against wet foliage and a “narrow through the bushes” vibe in sections. Long pants or gaiters are a good idea, and having the route downloaded helps where the trail fades. The best season for this West Vancouver hike is generally April through November, when snow is off the higher sections and the Lawson Creek closure further east doesn’t affect this Cypress Bowl Road to Lower Brewis Trail segment.