hikes in East of Vancouver

Hiking East of Vancouver is arguably one of the best ways to explore some of the hidden gems of British Columbia’s mountain ranges. Tucked away to the east, you’ll find stunning mountain scenery, a huge selection of hiking trails amongst national parks, pristine lakes and verdant forests to explore. Better yet? You’ll also find little to no crowds.

East of Vancouver encompasses the Coquitlam and Maple Ridge areas, which are often overshadowed by Garibaldi and Whistler. But just a quick drive or train ride from Vancouver will take you east of the city and into an outdoor playground. Home to Golden Ears, Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, Minnekhada Regional Park, Westwood Plateau, Belcarra Regional Park and more—there is no shortage of epic hikes East of Vancouver.

After a full day of hiking, weary travellers can kick up their feet in the city of Coquitlam where trendy bars, cozy restaurants and stylish boutiques are abound. Or if you’re not done exploring yet, set out to explore some of the local city parks in the area to get up close and personal to the unique flora and fauna that can be found East of Vancouver.

Ready to head for the hills (er, mountains!) East of Vancouver? We’ve rounded up the best 10 hikes in the region, so pack your bags and hit the trails in one of Canada’s fastest growing areas.

The 10 Greatest Hikes East of Vancouver

From easy, gentle trails to challenging, heart-pounding summits, East of Vancouver has it all when it comes to hiking. Regardless of which trail you choose, you’ll likely enjoy stunning mountain views and depending on the time of year, trails in full bloom, bursting with colourful wildflowers. For an epic day-hike or multi-day hike, check out the Golden Ears Summit hike, with arguably the best views in all of Vancouver. Or, if you’re in search of a child-friendly outing, the Crystal Falls hike has flat trail that lead to a magnificent waterfall that is sure to delight.

• Crystal Falls: Crystal Falls hike is a terrific family outing. This easy and flat trail follows the Coquitlam River and ends at a small, magical waterfall.
• Sendero Diez Vistas: The Sendero Diez Vistas hike is a popular loop. There are ten unique viewpoints (hence, ‘Diez Vistas’), which can be seen on the loop that navigates all the way around Buntzen Lake.
• Gold Creek Falls: Gold Creek Falls hike an easy trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Follow this relatively flat path along Gold Creek, until you reach a beautiful waterfall.
• Golden Ears: Golden Ears Summit hike is an extremely challenging day hike, where the peak is hard to summit. But those make it will be rewarded with some of the best views anywhere around Vancouver.
• High Knoll: High Knoll hike is a popular trail in Minnekhada Regional Park. A short hike will take you to a nice bluff overlooking the Pitt River.
• Jug Island: The Jug Island hike is a fun trail that starts at one beach and leads to another. Jug Island Beach is small, but scenic and you can swim on hot, summer days.
• Munro Lake & Dennett Lake: The Munro Land & Dennet Lake hike is a perfect trail for those looking for a challenge and avoid the crowds, with two glistening lakes and a stunning scenic lookout.
• Sawblade Falls: Sawblade Falls hike leads to a small, but scenic waterfall in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.
• Steelhead Falls: Steelhead Falls hike is a gentle trail at Hayward Lake that leads to a large waterfall. The hike is easy, but those who want to hike further can make a loop around the entire lake.
• Widgeon Falls: The Widgeon Falls hike makes for a fun outing, as you have to find a way across the Pitt River to reach the trailhead. The trail itself is mostly flat and easy, and leads to a small, but scenic waterfall.

When Is The Best Time To Hike East of Vancouver

Like most of the trail within British Columbia, peak season for hiking East of Vancouver is between late June to mid-September. The weather is pretty much unbeatable, especially once up in the mountains and the wildflowers are often in full bloom during this period.

However, this is also when the trails are at their peak busy season. Meaning you might find crowded trails and be vying for camping sites and hotel accommodations. If you wish to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting in either the spring or fall shoulder season, though you may run into some snow!

Some of the trails can also be done all-season, but we recommend checking trail conditions beforehand and ensure you dress warmly.

If you’d like to make a trip East of Vancouver your next getaway, we’ve got all the information you need! Find our comprehensive guide to planning a trip East of Vancouver, with an insider’s tips on the best restaurants, accommodations, cafes and experiences. We’ve taken all the guess work out, so you don’t have to. Now just lace up those hiking boots and hit the trails.

How To Plan A Trip East of Vancouver

If you’d like to make a trip East of Vancouver your next getaway, we’ve got all the information you need! Find our comprehensive guide to planning a trip East of Vancouver, with an insider’s tips on the best restaurants, accommodations, cafes and experiences. We’ve taken all the guess work out, so you don’t have to. Now just lace up those hiking boots and hit the trails.

Frequently-Asked-Questions About East of Vancouver

Are there a lot of bears in Coquitlam?

Yes. Coquitlam is the bear-sighting capital of B.C., so if you are heading into the mountains or even local parks, it’s important to have bear spray on you. Be sure to be bear aware and if you see one, don’t run or turn your back on the bear.

What is the easiest hike East of Vancouver?

If you’re looking for a quick, relatively easy hike, we recommend the Steelhead Falls hike. The path is gentle, with little change in elevation and it leads to a pretty waterfall that makes for a great photo-op.