Hikes Near Vancouver: Quarry Rock to Deep Cove

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It’s no secret that Vancouver is a playground for the outdoor enthusiast. There are limitless trails around the city and hikes near Vancouver that will keep you entertained forever. These range from a casual stroll through Stanley Park to the grueling Grouse Grind (nicknamed Mother Nature’s Stairmaster if that’s any indication how that’s going to get you). While I like being outdoors and can happily walk for hours and hours, hiking is a different matter. I’m not the person who needs to run full pelt up a mountain to feel like I accomplished that day. But I do want more of a challenge sometimes. Enter Quarry Rock. It’s the perfect starter hike. Relatively short, good workout and an incredible view at the end of it.

Please be sure to check current conditions of the trail before visiting including closures and weather warnings as the trail has been closed during some of the COVID-19 outbreak

Where is Quarry Rock?

Quarry Rock is next to Deep Cove, a quiet little community in North Vancouver. The main street has some nice little restaurants and shops, and it reminds me a lot of Steveston, the fishing village I like to visit in Richmond. Local artisans sell their crafts in boutique stores and in the summer everyone has a cool, fresh gelato as they walk down the street to the water, usually with a dog. It’s idyllic. But that also means it gets busy. So plan ahead. The trail to Quarry Rock starts just along a residential street, the never-more-aptly-named Panorama Drive. Seriously the houses along this street have an incredible view!

What is the Quarry Rock trail?

If you have ever been in the Brownies, Girl guides or Boy Scouts, you will no doubt have heard of someone called Lord Baden-Powell. He founded the Scouts and was an decorated army officer. Why is this important? Well the trail is named after him since it was the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of British Columbia started and built the trail that stretches for almost 50 km (that’s almost 28 miles for those who don’t do metric). That is one of those hikes near Vancouver that could be an impressive challenge to take on one day. But I was more interested in the Quarry Rock to Deep Cove part for now, which is where the trail ends.

How long is the Quarry Rock trail?

Technically the trail from Quarry Rock to Deep Cove Trail head involves already being on the Baden-Powell Trail. But if you’re just in it for the shorter hike up to the rock and back, you’ll be starting in Deep Cove, working up to Quarry Rock, then heading back down the same way. So here’s what you need to know:

Where can I park?

If you start the trail in Deep Cove you will need to first find parking. As with any hikes near Vancouver that can be a task in itself. There is a parking lot next to Panorama Park just before the Trailhead, however it can get busy with a number of people here to enjoy Deep Cove. Try along the main road leading into Deep Cove as there is some free, no-limit parking along there. That’s what we did, and walked into Deep Cove. Probably a 10 minute walk from the Trail head. Hey, if you’re already here for a hike, what’s an extra 10 minutes?

Know before you go

First of all, this is an easy-ish hike, therefore it is popular. If you are going in the summer on a weekend and a sunny day, you might as well stay at home. Because if you are lucky enough to find a parking spot, the trail won’t be worth the hassle with the volume of people. Not to mention all the Instagram shots you’ll have to wait to be taken before you can enjoy the view. My advice, go on a nice clear day out of season. Early Spring, late fall are perfect.

If you do go during the busy season there are a couple of things you could do. Go early in the day (early to mid morning start which lands you back in Deep Cove conveniently for lunch). Or go during the week which will likely be quieter than the weekend. Last tip: use the bathrooms in Panorama Park before you head out, as there aren’t any toilets on the trail or at the top.

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

The Quarry Rock Trail

So you have all the practical info, and I still have your attention. Here goes. Let’s start the trail, one of the most beautiful hikes near Vancouver. Well the good news is that if you manage, like I did, to get there on a nice day that didn’t have a lot of people there, then you’ll have a great hike. It’s a lovely trail that starts in between a couple of houses on Panorama Drive (there are signs pointing to the Trail head). It’s mostly covered because you’re surrounded by fantastically tall trees all around. Small patches of sunlight leak through to highlight some of the hundreds of thousands of shades of green that make up the forest.

The trail has some roots and uneven surfaces that you need to watch out for. Don’t want you twisting your ankle on an easy hike. What will you tell your friends? But a lot of the trail is made up of a constructed wooden pathway, a series of steps and bridges over slow running streams that seem to come out of nowhere. There’s a faint murmur of traffic for a while, but you’ll soon be listening to the dozens of bird calls from the forest and forget all about the busy village of Deep Cove. The trail has a series of inclines and descents so isn’t all uphill one way and downhill the other. Although, I will say that coming back from Quarry Rock was a bit easier and a higher percentage of downhill.

Views from Quarry Rock

You’ve made it to the top. You’ll know when you have as you’ll see the beginnings of a clearing and the trail naturally curves towards the rock. If you’re lucky you’ll have the rock to yourself, or have to share with very few people. Take your photos while you can, breathe in the fresh air and admire the amazing view of the harbor below and the beautiful Indian Arm fjord. The incredibly expensive looking, envy inducing houses along the water will have you wondering what job you need to afford a house with boat access.

But cast your eyes further out to some of the lovely small islands and the faint hint of a Vancouver skyline on the horizon. Deep Cove is a special place, and this is a very special viewpoint of it. Unless you were only able to nab the 2 hour parking spot and you have to rush back, I suggest spending some time at the top admiring the views. Bring a snack, lay down on the rock and escape from reality just a little bit longer.

Safety on the trail

As with any hikes near Vancouver, preparation is key no matter how easy you think it might be. You might end up out there longer than you expect, you might not be as fit as you thought you were (guilty) and you are on a wild trail so be smart.

• Take plenty of water with you and some healthy snacks like dried fruit, nuts or a granola bar
• Go at a pace that’s right for you. Don’t feel like you need to rush because other people are trying to get by you. Move off the trail and let them pass, take a breather if you need and carry on when ready
• This is North Vancouver so although it is rare to see them, be aware that there are wild animals in the area. Bears and cougars could be around so make noise occasionally to make your presence known
• Quarry Rock is near a cliff edge, and it’s a long way down. Be smart. stay away from the edge, remain alert and don’t try anything stupid for the “perfect shot”

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