Watersprite Lake has rapidly gone from obscurity to one of the most popular hikes near Vancouver. All summer it’s a busy trail. The immensely photogenic lake at the top has started to pop up everywhere, further expanding the popularity of this area. Recent trail work by the BC Mountaineering Club and Chasing Sunrise has been immensely helpful and has made what was a pretty ragged trail far more accessible.

Follow a heavily forested ridge to one of Vancouver's lesser known peaks

A short, easy, well maintained trail which loops around Sasamat lake near Port Moody

St Marks Summit is a mostly a wide and generally flat trail with numerous breathtaking views. It is also one of the most popular hikes on the North Shore. In the summer the bugs can get pretty bad on this trail. Bug nets are recommended early summer. The trail also frequently takes folks longer than they expect, so it's best to start early.

Jug Island Trail isn't one of the greatest adventures in the Lower Mainland, but it is peaceful escape from the city with beautiful old-growth forest in spite of its short length. If you're looking for a quick run, a walk for those with low mobility, or adventure for kids who love to stop and explore, this is a great option. While the route is wide for the most part, there are some stairs to negotiate. The trail follows a ridge that undulates, going up and down on several occasions.

Mt Gardener's Hiker's Trail is a pleasant hike that follows the easiest line to the summit. It mostly sticks to old logging roads, and the trail is fairly straightforward. There are numerous well signposted side shoots that pose the only navigational challenges.

The trail head is up a short road, a couple of kilometres to the Northwest of the Snug Cove, where the ferry lands. You can take the 282 Bus from Snug Cove to just near the trail base, or walk through the woods to access the trail near Kill Creek.

The route has numerous options to start, but taking the lower interpretive trail that starts south west of the Lions quad is the most pleasant. The trail links up with a gravel road, and switchback up to the Bowen Lookout. This short detour is the first of the excellent viewpoints. Shortly past this is the trail junction, and another incredible view of the Sisters (Lions) framed perfectly in the trees.

The trails winds up to the poorly named "Lynn Peak" is in fact just a lookout on Lynn Peak. This is a lovely lookout point, but is in no way a peak. Keep heading upwards. Eventually the trail gets to a small bump. The trail is tricky to find here as it is much less travelled.

The trailhead is adjacent to the Belcarra Picnic Area to the north. Look for signs beside the treeline around the road.