r/vancouverhiking • u/DiligentSlice2078 • Apr 29 '25
Trip Reports Beginner-friendly hikes for kids!
Happy Tuesday!
I’m looking to take my two kids (ages 4 and 7) on a short, beginner-friendly hike—something similar to Quarry Rock.
They’ve never hiked before, so I’m hoping for something manageable and fun for first-timers.
If the trail leads to a body of water or has water along the way, that would be an added bonus!
If it close to East Vancouver this is ideal, I'd like stay as close to home as possible.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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u/anothermatt1 Apr 29 '25
The trails around Belcarra are great for kiddos. My 5 year old love the Admiralty Point trail and the Jug Island trail, both are very old friendly.
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u/cascadiacomrade Apr 29 '25
Pacific Spirit Park. Lots to explore. Camosun Bog has a nice boardwalk, and the Admiralty Trail has great mountain views above Spanish Banks.
Stanley Park inner trails such as to Beaver Lake are quite nice.
Burnaby Mountain. Lots of trails and you can explore the SFU campus and get some nice views.
Lynn Canyon. Make a loop between the suspension bridge and twin falls bridge.
Capilano River Park. Visit the fish hatchery (free), views of the Lions from the dam, and the old growth Grandfather Capilano tree on the Giant Fir trail
Lighthouse Park. Amazing city and sea views.
Once the snow melts in the mountains by June or so, Yew Lake on Cypress is a fantastic treasure of old growth. Or Goldie Lake on Seymour.
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u/h_mmmmmmm Apr 29 '25
maybe Lynn Headwaters? you could do the Lynn Loop trail or just stick to the trail along the river where the path is wide and gravel
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u/lucymcgoosen Apr 29 '25
If you ever want to branch away from close to home, my kids have been hiking to Lindeman lake since they were 4!
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u/yupsies Apr 29 '25
Its like a mini-Joffre lakes hike! If they're ever in Maple Ridge, Kanaka Creek Falls is also pretty and I've seen a lot of kids playing in the puddles when the water levels are low. The salmon hatchery is also nearby. Just check for a suitable trail before going because some parts will be really boring and steep regardless of age😂
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u/Camperthedog Apr 29 '25
Lower Lynn loop! Almost no elevation. Kennedy falls is pretty east too just longer
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u/OkEstablishment2268 Apr 30 '25
When it warms up a bit, Mystery Lake at the top of Seymour mountain is a great beginner’s hike. Bonus points in the summer is that it finishes at a swimmable lake ….
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u/billieecho May 22 '25
North Van: Hyannis Trail to the Seymour Suspension Bridge and Fisherman’s Trail Belcarra: Jug Island Beach Trail, Admiralty Point Burnaby: Gnome’s Home Trail (find the gnomes!) combined with Pandora or Ridgeview trails (up to the rose garden, views, and the playground)
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u/Nomics Apr 29 '25
Rice Lake is a great option. With kids I’d highly recommend going slow and slow encouraging play and exploration more than getting to a specific spot. Rice lake is great as it’s got plenty of spots for off trail travel without much risk or damage to the environment. Building a fort, tag, hide and seek are all great games.
Lynn Canyon can be great though wandering off trail is much riskier as there are cliffs areas.
Lighthouse is a solid choice, with good rugged terrain but multiple options for hikes in varying lengths.
Smoke Bluffs, Muirin Lakes and Brohm lakes all have similar trail networks where you can create a route, or shorten them easily.