Mount Strachan Loop

Mount Strachan Loop in West Vancouver is one of those North Shore hikes that feels way more wild than its stats suggest. At 6.8 km with about 568 m of gain, it’s short on paper but hits hard in the legs, especially through Christmas Gully. Expect a challenging, hands-on hike that rewards you with big-mountain feel and way fewer people than nearby St. Mark’s Summit or Howe Sound Crest Trail.

The loop usually starts on the well-trodden St. Mark’s Summit trail from Cypress Mountain, then slips off onto a faint, easy-to-miss turnoff toward Mount Strachan. Once you’re in Christmas Gully, the trail gets steep, overgrown, and rough, with roots, loose dirt, and some light scrambling as you grind straight up to the north peak. On a clear day you get full 360-degree views over Howe Sound, the Lions, Vancouver, and the Coast Mountains, plus the option to tag both north and south peaks and pass the old plane crash site on the descent.

Recent hikers report the Mount Strachan Loop as overgrown in spots, with confusing junctions and faint markers, so a downloaded map is almost mandatory. In summer and early fall, expect brushy sections, wildflowers, and bugs, plus the chance of bear sightings; long pants and proper hiking boots help a lot. From late fall through spring, snow and ice linger, especially in Christmas Gully, where traction, gloves, and waterproof footwear become important, and beginners should avoid it in full winter conditions. Plan for around 3–6 hours depending on pace, go on a clear day if you can, and don’t underestimate how steep and committing this “short” West Vancouver loop really is.