Mount Strachan

Mount Strachan in West Vancouver is a short, sharp grind that feels bigger than its 7.2 km distance suggests. With about 590 m of gain to roughly 1,439 m, it’s rated challenging for a reason: steep, rooty, and often muddy, but with big payoff at the top. Expect to spend most of a day out here; many hikers are closer to 5–7 hours round trip depending on route-finding and how long you linger on the peaks.

The Mount Strachan trail starts from Cypress Mountain and quickly leaves the ski area vibe behind as you climb beside creeks and through dense forest. Roots, rocks, and a few downed logs keep things interesting before the trees thin out and the terrain turns scrambly on the upper slopes and between the south and north peaks. On a clear day you’re looking at Howe Sound, the Lions, and the North Shore mountains, with a real “high alpine” feel despite being so close to Vancouver; many hikers hit the south summit then tag the true north summit for the best 360-degree views.

Recent reports say the route is overgrown and poorly marked once you leave the Baden-Powell, with unmaintained sections, confusing intersections, and plenty of chances to wander off-trail, so keep a GPS map handy and watch for flagging. Expect mud, lingering snow and ice well into early summer, and swarms of bugs in warm weather; waterproof, grippy footwear, bug spray, and microspikes in shoulder season make a big difference. Bears are active around Mount Strachan, especially on the old Strachan Trail, so carry bear spray, make noise, and give wildlife space. Most people tackle this West Vancouver hike from late June to October, using ski runs or even a summer lift download to ease the descent when conditions allow.