Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

Situated in North Vancouver in Lynn Valley Park, Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is the largest of twenty-two regional parks in Metro Vancouver. The park, which protects over 9,200 acres, sits between two imposing Canadian Coastal mountains, Mount Fromme and Mount Seymour, and is a particularly popular destination for hiking.

The tallest summit in Lynn Headwaters is Mount Burwell, a 5,000-foot massif that sits on the Seymour-Lynn divide. This rounded, granitic peak is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in North Vancouver. In total, the park contains fourteen named peaks, most of which, exceed 4,000 feet in elevation. The park's most impressive peaks include The Camel, Coliseum Mountain, Crown N1, Goat Mountain, and Dam Mountain.

Like neighboring Lynn Canyon Park, Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is covered in dense temperate rainforest. Unfortunately, the majority of the original vegetation was logged, and sizable stumps can be found scattered amidst stands of second-growth forest.

The park’s climate is relatively mild and large coniferous trees, including western red cedar, Douglas fir, and western hemlock, are bolstered by a healthy amount of rainfall. The weather in this narrow valley, however, can be unpredictable and hikers are asked to self-register at a kiosk before setting off on an adventure in the park.

Lynn Headwaters encompasses over 25 miles of trails and these footpaths vary from gentle strolls to strenuous ascents. Though the landscape is largely considered rugged, the park is highly accessible. There are two main access points to the park: The main entrance sits at the end of Lynn Valley Road and a second access point can be found behind Grouse Mountain. Accessing the park via Grouse Mountain requires hiking or taking a gondola to the summit of Grouse Mountain.

Major Trails and Hiking Areas

Lynn Loop

Lynn Loop is arguably the most popular trail in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. This easy footpath follows Lynn Creek into the park’s lush rainforest. Along the loop, hikers can opt to take a short 10-minute spur trail to a scenic overlook and soak in views of big rock, Vancouver Island, and a handful of the San Juan and Gulf Islands. The entire loop takes about 2 hours.

Crown Mountain

Sitting at just under 5,000 feet, the craggy summit of Crown Mountain offers adventurous hikers one of the most spectacular views of Vancouver and the city’s surrounding North Shore summits. There are three ways to ascend Crown Mountain. The first and easiest option is to take the Grouse Mountain gondola and begin the climb from the Grouse Mountain chalet. The most notorious option, however, is the Grouse Grind, which climbs over 2,800 wooden and stone steps over the course of 1.5 miles.

Lynn Peak

Like the Grouse Grind, Lynn Peak is a natural Stairmaster that features sweeping views of North Vancouver. However, to reach this incredible vantage point, hikers will have to climb over 2,300 feet in just over 2.5 miles. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with views of Seymour Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and the Georgia Strait.

Little Goat Mountain

For hikers looking to escape the crowds, Little Goat Mountain is the perfect backcountry getaway. Little Goat Mountain sits behind Grouse Mountain and features stunning vistas of Crown Mountain and Goat Mountain. Though a somewhat technical trail, reaching the summit of Little Goat isn’t particularly challenging. The trail climbs about 780 feet in elevation over 2.7 miles. Little Goat can also be combined with treks to Dam Mountain, Goat Mountain, or Crown Mountain to make for a longer backcountry adventure.

Major Cities and Resorts

North Vancouver

Situated at the foot of the North Shore Mountains, North Vancouver is a beautiful mountain destination packed with tranquil hiking trails, incredible natural attractions, stunning summits, and a variety of delicious dining options. Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is just 15 minutes from North Vancouver, so visitors to the city can easily appreciate the park for the day.