Trudi's Trail

Trudi’s Trail is a short, sharp grind above Lions Bay in West Vancouver, not the mellow village stroll some maps make it look like. The official loop is about 2.7 km with 233 m of gain to roughly 450 m, rated challenging and usually logged around 1 hour 20 minutes, but most hikers now push higher toward Sleepless Nights lookout for the real payoff. Expect a quiet, forested route with a leg-burning climb and a surprisingly big-mountain feel for such a compact trail.

The loop itself is mostly in the trees, with rooty, sometimes rough footing and a steady grade that barely lets up. Views on Trudi’s Trail are limited unless you extend up toward Sleepless Nights lookout, where the forest opens to big ocean and Howe Sound views that turn the effort into a proper “wow, that was worth it” moment. Many locals turn this into a 5.5–6 km outing with close to 500 m of elevation by including that lookout spur.

Recent hikers report some very steep sections, so bring decent footwear and be ready to use your hands in spots, especially when it’s wet. The Sleepless Nights extension can turn a quick loop into a 4–5 hour adventure if you take long breaks at the lookout rock, so plan water and snacks accordingly. The trail above Lions Bay is hikeable most of the year, but roots and rocks get slick in the rain, and parking in the village can be tough on weekends, with pay parking apps not always matching what locals actually use, so give yourself extra time to sort out the car before you start climbing.