Vancouver Hiking: Grouse Grind & Gondola with Stanley Park

The Grouse Grind is 2.5 kilometers of stairs through the forest, and the view from the top is why locals do it

You hike the Grouse Grind trail to the summit of Grouse Mountain, explore the park's grizzly bears and live shows, then descend by gondola; visit the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and Twin Falls in a temperate rainforest; ride in a guided van through Stanley Park and across the Lion's Gate Bridge; return to downtown Vancouver by evening. The tour includes all entry fees, transportation, and a certified guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Vancouver hiking and mountain exploration

• Tour Stanley Park by mini-coach
• Cross Lion's Gate Bridge
• Hike the Grouse Grind Trail
• Explore Grouse Mountain attractions
• Take gondola skyride down
• Visit Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
• Walk to Twin Falls

The experience

The 9 o'clock gun fires across Stanley Park as your day starts, a sound that echoes off the water and reminds you you're in a city that still has wild edges. You'll spend the first 15 minutes rolling through Stanley Park in a van with your guide, passing the Brockton Point Totem Poles and the causeway that leads north, but the real work begins once you cross the Lion's Gate Bridge and arrive at the base of Grouse Mountain. The Grouse Grind is what locals call Vancouver's stairmaster: 2.5 kilometers of relentless uphill trail through towering evergreens, gaining 800 meters in elevation. It takes most people 90 minutes to two hours, and yeah, it's steep, but when you reach the top and the city spreads out below you on a clear day, you understand why people come back to do it again.

Once you're up there, the mountain itself becomes the tour. Two rescued grizzly bears, Coola and Grinder, live in the park year-round, and if you time it right you'll catch the lumberjack show or the birds of prey demonstration: both run multiple times during the day depending on how fast hikers finish the Grind. There's free time to wander, grab coffee at the Grind Coffee Bar or sit at Lupins Cafe, and just breathe at 1,231 meters above sea level. The gondola down is included, so you don't have to reverse the hike. You ride the Skyride back down through the Douglas firs while the city and the Pacific Ocean spread out below you.

After Grouse, the tour moves to Lynn Canyon, where the suspension bridge hangs 50 meters above Lynn Creek in the middle of a 616-acre temperate rainforest. On a warm day, there's time for a short walk down to Twin Falls, where the water pools clear and cold. It's a full day (the kind where you feel the rain on the evergreens and the burn in your legs and the salt air all at once), and by the time you're back in downtown Vancouver, you've seen the North Shore the way people who live here actually experience it.

What’s included

• Hotel or downtown Vancouver pickup and drop-off at Canada Place.
• transportation by mini-coach van with a professional, First Aid certified guide.
• 15-minute guided tour of Stanley Park including Brockton Point Totem Poles.
• crossing the Lion's Gate Bridge.
• the Grouse Grind trail hike to Grouse Mountain summit.
• access to Grouse Mountain attractions including the resident grizzly bears, lumberjack show, and birds of prey demonstrations.
• the Gondola Skyride descent ticket.
• visit to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Twin Falls in the temperate rainforest.
• all entry fees and park access.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (19 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 21

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Way Out West Tours

Is this one for you?Right for active travelers who want to experience the North Shore mountains in one day without arranging transport, park tickets, or timing the hikes themselves: the van pickup and fixed itinerary handle all of that, leaving you to focus on the climb and the view.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Grouse Grind hike?

The trail is 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) uphill with an 800-meter elevation gain. Most people take 90 minutes to two hours to reach the summit.

What's included in the tour price?

Pickup and drop-off in downtown Vancouver, van transportation, a professional guide, entry to Grouse Mountain, the gondola descent ticket, and access to all attractions on the mountain and at Lynn Canyon.

Do I have to hike the Grouse Grind?

The tour is designed around the hike, but if you prefer not to hike, your guide can arrange a discounted gondola ticket so you can ride to the top instead.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs for over 8 hours, starting with Stanley Park and ending at Lynn Canyon.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup is in downtown Vancouver at Canada Place. Specific start times are available when you book.

Can I swim at Twin Falls?

Twin Falls has a 30-foot pool where visitors can cool off. A short walk from the suspension bridge leads to the water, and it's an option on hot summer days.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The Grouse Grind is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, so it's best for active travelers.

What should I bring?

Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and snacks (or plan to buy food on Grouse Mountain), and dress in layers since weather can change on the mountain.