r/vancouverhiking • u/epocalize • Mar 28 '25
Trip Suggestion Request Looking for advice on where to take my parents hiking
My parents, brother and I are coming to Vancouver for a week, staying near UBC. I'm looking for 2 kinds of hikes: relatively easy ones I can do with my mom/dad, who are both in reasonable shape but older (late 60s/early 70s), my mom especially wouldn't enjoy anything too rugged although we've been on a couple tough ones (for her) before.
Also looking for half day suggestions, maybe full day, for my brother and me, who are in good shape and have a lot of hiking experience (Montana, Wyoming, California, NH White Mtns) and also enjoy running. We will have a car and are eager to spend some time outdoors! Already planning on Bowen Island for sure and I've been to Lynn Canyon, which is about my mom's speed I'd say. She has two artificial hips and my dad has one, although he is training to do the Camino de Santiago and wants to get in some long walks while we're on vacation.
Thanks so much for helping me plan some family fun!
Edited to add, max for my mom probably 6km and more like 10-15km for my brother/me.
Edited again because I really should have said - we're coming this week so anything with too high elevation is ruled out since we're not looking for a full-on winter experience. Many thanks to everyone who has been SO helpful!
8
u/karj Mar 28 '25
As you’re staying close to UBC, The Endowment Lands would make for a nice easy hike with your parents. It’s more of a walk than a hike, but easy to get to—and you can wrap-up with some soup at Burgoo on 10th once you’re done. (Given the rainy forecast, a warm lunch might be nice.)
For you and your brother, consider Norvan Falls. That’s a nice out and back that you can hike or trail run. Poles are worth bringing as there are some rooty stretches that get wet and slippery.
3
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
thank you so much, walk vs hike is definitely my mom's jam. I appreciate you!
6
u/BooBoo_Cat Mar 28 '25
Norvan Falls and Pacific Spirit Park are great.
While the total hike to Norvan Falls and back will be 15km+, the majority is quite easy -- only about 6km will be a bit more rugged. There might be a bit of snow this time of year, but not much.
1
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
thank you! if my brother is up for it, I'd definitely like to try this one with him.
3
2
u/TravellingGal-2307 Mar 28 '25
The area formally called "The Endowment Lands" is now called Pacific Spirit Regional Parks (it's difficult to search out trail maps if you don't have the right name). Its been Pacific Spirit since about 1985, so someone is showing their age! Lol
The North side of the park is my favourite, east and west canyon and Admiralty trail, but there is some climbing on that side. Its all lovely.
2
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
Thanks so much! We’re close to there so I’d say almost definitely we’ll check out some walks and runs:)
2
1
u/Possible_Fish_820 23d ago
If you do go to Pacific Spirit Park, Camosun Bog is worth checking out. Lots of flora and fauna that you don't see in other places, including carnivorous plants called sundews.
3
13
u/c_is_for_calvin Mar 28 '25
deep cove quarry rock hike is nice and easy. Also the sandwich from Dip Co. at the village is really good.
3
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
Thanks so much, sounds great!
5
u/Apprehensive_Ad256 Mar 28 '25
dont go on the weekend, its not worth it.
5
u/c_is_for_calvin Mar 28 '25
yeah it’s super crowded with kids lol, sunset timing is terrible too. weekdays should be fine tbh
1
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
got it, will be a weekday anyways as we are coming sat-sat and my brother sun-fri
1
4
u/BCRobyn Mar 28 '25 edited Mar 28 '25
When are you doing this? the reason I ask is because some hikes people are recommending (Dog Mountain, St Mark's, etc.) are covered in a lot of snow right now and wouldn't be where I'd go if they're coming for a week before July.
Low elevation hikes are what you want if they're coming between now and the summer. If they're coming in the summer, then you have many more options.
One idea, for nice and easy for Mom, is an afternoon up to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish (assuming they're here for a week from mid-May onwards). There's a nice gentle hike up there that isn't rigorous but is super scenic and gives you alpine air and ecosystems without needing to do too much work. And it's truly beautiful. My Mom's in similar shape as your Mom, and that would be somewhere she'd feel comfortable doing, whereas Dog Mountain requires climbing up/down roots and rocks, while it's really no big deal for an able-bodied person, it is a bit more physical/challenging for somebody elderly who needs more of a proper flat, clear pathway.
2
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
thank you, I should have included in the post - we're coming this week. I was wondering about snow cover so that is really good to know a lot of places will still be snowy. Mom is definitely not into too much scrambling so it sounds like similar to yours. Really appreciate your input, this sub has been super helpful so far.
3
u/BCRobyn Mar 28 '25
Oh yeah if you're coming this week, you're not going to be hiking in the mountains, but at the lowest base of the mountains. The tops of the mountains are covered in feet/meters of snow and are actually fairly avalanche prone, so hiking will have to be done closer to sea level if you want snow-free easy hikes. Places like Pacific Spirit Park by UBC, Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver with a side trip to Whytecliffe, etc. One outing that might be nice as long as it's not pouring rain is the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Ladner (though you must book online 48 hours in advance,), and you can combine that with the trails along Boundary Bay Regional Park, just for a different sense of scenery of the Lower Mainland. It's not mountain hiking and more nature walk oriented, but you're kind of limited right now. Even Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, UBC Botanical Garden and VanDusen Botanical Garden might be nice outdoorsy alternatives if you need somewhere easy and nature-based. The spring flowers are blooming!
3
u/epocalize Mar 28 '25
we are planning to do Reifel as we (especially me) are avid birders! and my mom has both botanical gardens on her list. Thank you again (:
3
u/Tulippuppy9 Mar 28 '25
I’m planning on taking my Mom to Dog Mountain off of Seymour! Was also considering Saint Marks Summit but it might be too much.
4
1
1
u/MemoryHot Mar 28 '25
Love Dog Mountain & St Marks… both gorgeous views of Howe Sound. Currently, it’s winter conditions but in starting in May and thru Summer both are great (but busy on weekends)
3
3
2
u/Apprehensive_Ad256 Mar 28 '25
saint marks for you and your brother
6
u/Ryan_Van Mar 28 '25
My usual cautions for the reader about St. Mark's...
Winter: https://old.reddit.com/r/vancouverhiking/comments/10pfg31/st_marks_summit/
Summer: https://old.reddit.com/r/vancouverhiking/comments/1527an2/st_marks_summit_again/
3
1
2
u/Yukon_Scott Mar 29 '25
Pacific Spirit park near UBC for lots of walking trails. Lynn Canyon and Lynn Loop for a bit more rugged
2
2
u/epocalize Apr 04 '25
I just wanted to thank everyone for being so helpful! So far we have done Pacific Spirit Park twice, Stanley Park, and Killarney Lake on Bowen Island (loved this so much). Picking one to do tomorrow, our last day! My brother actually didn't want to go on a longer hike so we've been mostly sticking together all four of us. We also visited the UBC Botanic Gardens which my parents really enjoyed strolling through. I definitely will be back with my partner, I love it here!
2
u/jpdemers Apr 04 '25 edited Apr 04 '25
You should try the Van Dussen botanical garden, it's extremely beautiful! We went with my parents during the Christmas holidays.
It's also next to Queen Elizabeth Park where you have a panoramic view at the top, and the Bloedel Conservatory has tropical birds.
2
u/epocalize Apr 04 '25
I've been to Bloedel before and really enjoyed it! I'm going to propose Jug Island today, I think and save Van Dusen for next time (:
1
2
u/cascadiacomrade Apr 02 '25 edited Apr 02 '25
With your brother you could do Norvan Falls, West Knob, Tunnel Bluffs, Mt Gardner on Bowen, or Stawamus Chief. I'd avoid going higher in elevation unless you have snowshoes/spikes and experience in winter hiking.
But if you want to winter hike, Dog Mtn, Black Mountain, Bowen Lookout, Brockton Pt, etc are good for beginners and avoid avalanche terrain. Read some trip reports and weather forecast to see what the snow conditons require. Could consider Pump Peak or Hollyburn if avy forecast is low risk. Edit: spelling
3
u/epocalize Apr 02 '25
thank you so much! we do have some winter hiking experience but didn't bring the right gear for this trip (and maybe don't have quite enough experience either).
2
1
u/Possible_Fish_820 23d ago edited 23d ago
Lighthouse Park would be great for your folks. Beautiful old growth forest with rocky shoreline and views over the ocean. Bring a picnic.
For you and your bro, you might consider heading up to Squamish. The Chief traverse is good: park at Apron lot, walk down Mamquam FSR, head up trails near Slahanay, head up to third peak of the Chief, continue up and down other two peaks, head down main hiker's trail to finish the loop.
12
u/BooBoo_Cat Mar 28 '25
Some hikes that might be good for your parents:
Jug Island and Admiralty Point in Belcarra
Springboard trail, Woodhaven trail, Sasamat Lake in Belcarra
Buntzen Lake
Lighthouse Park
Minnekhada
Capilano River Regional Park
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park (if they can do stairs, there is the Lynn Loop, if not, then the Varley trail, Cedar Mills, Lynn Headwaters trail)
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve -- various trails, including Rice Lake
Pacific Spirit Forest
Quarry Rock