DOG FRIENDLY Hikes Near Vancouver

Vancouver is a city within nature, which means there are tons of dog friendly trails, places for dogs to explore, sniff, sniff-each other, run free and claim their territory! From short walks to long alpine trails, thee is a trail for every dog, from your Chihuahua to your German Shepherd.

Below you’ll find a list of the best dog-friendly hikes near Vancouver. You’ll find a selection of trails including walks, forest trails and alpine hikes. I only tend to list hikes and adventures that I’d be willing to do again, so hopefully that gives you a gauge on whether they’re worth doing.

If you want to simply search all dog friendly hikes in BC, based on a specific criteria or location, check out the Hike Explorer.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the trail. I would recommend always having a leash with you just in case, or in case local rules have changed. Every trail on this website is marked with one of the following three dog categories:

  • Yes (On Leash)
  • Yes
  • No

With this information, I hope you can find a dog friendly trail that works for you. The following link should direct you to a pre-filtered list of all the dog friendly trails within roughly an hour of Vancouver.

If you’re hiking in nature, Google Maps probably isn’t going to cut it. I recommend and use All Trails for short and well-traveled hikes. All Trails+ offers functionality to download an offline map, which is helpful as you’ll quickly lose phone signal and data away from the city. All Trails + offers a free 7-day trial which is especially helpful if you’re just visiting for a week.

One benefit of All Trails is that they show trail maps for hikes and trails all over the world, so even when you get home, you can still use it for inspiration.

If you’re hiking in the city, you can probably get away with google maps. It’s possible to download an offline Google Map if you’re just visiting and don’t have cellular data.

  1. Check the trail map in advance, research recent conditions so that you know what to expect.
  2. Leave a plan with someone. Tell them where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
  3. Be prepared to turn around if conditions change. Don’t put your life at risk.

Summer is my favorite time to hike in Vancouver, though there really isn’t a bad time to hike here. With a variety of trails across a range of environments, it’s never hard to find a suitable trail for the time of year and the conditions. Here are the average weather conditions for Vancouver.

Average monthly minimum and maximum temperature in Vancouver, Canada
Average monthly rainfall, snow, precipitation in Vancouver, Canada
Peak Summer Season: June - September

June through September is considered the peak season for hiking, with July and August being the busiest months. Whilst July and August can be a bit hot to tackle the bigger peaks of south western BC, most of the hikes around and near Vancouver are very doable in the summer heat.

Autumn (Fall): October - November

As the summer heat fades and the autumn rains arrive, the weather becomes more changeable and pretty bleak, often for days or weeks on end. Whilst you can still enjoy a good trail, a good waterproof is absolutely essential. Trust me, a cheap waterproof is not going to keep you dry in a BC rain-shower.

Winter: December - February

Full winter in Vancouver itself is not the snowy onslaught you might expect by looking at the rest of Canada. The coastal location means that the city itself remains relatively snow free, with maybe a couple of snow dumps each winter lasting a few days. For hiking, this means Vancouver’s urban trails are accessible all year round. For trails in mountain areas, it really depends on the trail. Check the trail map and description before you go.

Spring: March - May

The spring starts to bring warmer temperatures, a welcome break from the cold and damp coastal winter air. With the warmer temperatures comes more rain, so always take a rain jacket. There may still be snow on some trails, so check individual trail descriptions to work out when each trail can be done.

Hike Explorer – Search and filter all hikes in BC.

BC Parks – BC’s official outdoors website.

BC Parks Camping Bookings – Book a campsite at any campground.

Translink – For public transport links around Metro Vancouver.

EVO Car Pooling – A car share network that allows you to pick up and drop off a rental car at the click of a button on your app.

Vancouver Hiking – Facebook group for hiking in Vancouver.

Vancouver Hiking Reddit – Reddit thread for hiking in Vancouver.

Google Map of Hikes Near Vancouver – Explore hikes in your familiar mapping tool.

Highlights of DOG WALKING Vancouver

Off Leash Trails

Sometimes it just isn’t a proper walk until they’re off-leash, smelling every nook and cranny to their heart’s content.

Due to wildlife and other trail users it can sometimes be difficult to find a good no-leash, dog friendly hike.

Below is a pre-filtered list of those I have listed on this website.

Search for off-leash dog hikes near Vancouver.

Winter Snow Fun

I’m not sure I ever met a dog that didn’t love playing in the snow. From sliding along to digging holes to no where and disappearing into clouds of white stuff, they bloody love it!

The snow is only really around for 1/3 of the year, and even then you’ll need to go looking for it in the mountains, so here’s a pre-filtered link for you below, where you’re likely to find snow in the winter.

Search for dog-friendly alpine hikes near Vancouver.

Featured Hikes Near Vancouver

Pacific Spirit North
2.5km
70m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
Pacific Spirit South
6.5km
70m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
UBC Foreshore
9.0km
200m elevation
Dogs: No
Grouse Grind
2.0km
850m elevation
Dogs: No
Lighthouse Park
4.0km
200m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
Lynn Valley Bridges
5.0km
200m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
Quarry Rock at Deep Cove
4.0km
200m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
St Mark’s Summit
11.0km
450m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)
Stanley Park Seawall
10.0km
20m elevation
Dogs: Yes (On Leash)

The Sea to Summit trail in Squamish begins near the shores of Howe Sound and leads up to stunning viewpoints and covers a variety of terrain and views. Generally done as a point to point hike with the return descent via the gondola, you’ll be rewarded with some great views down over the water below. […]

The hike to Tunnel Bluffs will reward you with insane views, for relatively little effort. With an unbroken view of the Howe Sound, the main viewpoint makes a great stop for sunset. The hike meanders up through forest service roads and is accessible for a significant portion of the year. Note: A steeper version of […]

St Mark’s Summit offers unbroken views of the Howe Sound from two spectacular viewpoints. These viewpoints are some of the best along the Sea to Sky, with the mountains of the North Shore plunging down into the waters of the Howe Sound below. St Mark’s Summit forms part of the longer Howe Sound Crest trail. […]

This easy access walk gives you a different perspective on the city of Vancouver. Starting from Ambleside Park, you’ll explore the beach front of West Vancouver, looking across the water to the Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park, and to the right, out onto English Bay. The walk is accessible for all, has lots of […]

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Pacific Spirit Park is a coastal rainforest typical of the Pacific North West. As you wander through these trails, you’ll see countless huge trees and be amazed by the variety of mosses and lichen you find hanging from the branches. If you’re lucky, you might even see a garter snake (small and harmless). In the […]

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The Quarry Rock hiking trail in Deep Cove is a great way to explore the forests and views of BC, without venturing too far from Vancouver. Combined with its proximity to Vancouver, and great views, it’s often incredibly busy. I would recommend starting early to avoid the crowds. That said, it’s still a great hike regardless […]

Mount Gardner on Bowen Island offers a trail that winds through evergreen forests, opening up to stunning views as you reach higher elevations. The path is well-signed, guiding hikers through the dense growth of the Pacific Northwest to the summit’s rewarding vistas. For the keeners among you, you can following the marked trail (on this […]

Lighthouse Park is a great viewing point to look back over English Bay and the city of Vancouver. The network of trails make it easy to walk for as little or as much as you’d like. From a 1km walk to a bigger 6km hike, make it your own. With plenty of little side paths […]

The Stanley Park Seawall forms the outer edge of Vancouver’s Stanley Park, and has become synonymous with Vancouver’s reputation for outdoor living. The park is visited by cyclists, walkers and skaters alike and is easily accessible for an afternoon stroll of all abilities. There are countless natural wonders to admire from a casual stroll around […]

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