Doggin’ Vancouver: Where to Hike Your Dog When You’re in Terminal City

Frederick Arthur Stanley was the sixth Governor General of Canada, presiding over

a completely uneventful five-year term beginning in 1888. He had the good fortune,

however, to be immortalized by two tangential occurrences during his service. A,

authorized the equivalent of $48 to buy a trophy for a hockey game

tournament that became the Stanley Cup of the National Hockey League and two, was

in office when one of the most spectacular urban parks in North America opened in

Vancouver.

More than 50 miles of paths and trails wind under majestic cedar, fir and

Fir trees in Stanley Park, located on West Georgia Street, Route 99/1A, on a peninsula

north of the city on English Bay. The dogwalk along the 5.5-mile levee around the

The entire peninsula is one of the most popular activities in Vancouver. started in the

1920 to stop erosion, the stone wall took six decades to fully finish. Almost

three dozen Vancouver parks, including Stanley Park, allow off-leash dogs

from 6:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 22:00

Just northeast of the city is the dog-friendly Cypress Provincial Park. the lure of

North Shore Mountains looking towards Vancouver attracted hikers and skiers by

boat until the opening of the Lions Gate Bridge in 1939. This new easy access

threatened primary forests when clearcutting began under the guise of

cutting ski slopes. Conservation forces lined up to save the trees, including the namesake

stands of yellow cypress trees, and the park was created in 1975.

Alpine dog hiking is convenient to the Cypress Parkway on three mountains: Black

Mountain, Mount Strachan and Hollywood Mountain. The Hollywood Mountain Trail is

a rugged ascent of about four miles round trip to the summit and Black Mountain

The Loop Trail visits subalpine grasslands and glacial lakes, perfect for a dog-friendly dip. Tea

the complete circuit will take about two hours.

Less strenuous meals can be found around the bases of mountains. The Yew Lake Trail is

a 30-minute dog walk from the main Cypress Mountain visitor center, in the heart of

terrain accessible through wetlands and meadows.

Experienced hikers can tackle the Howe Crest Sound Trail, but maybe not with their

dog. The small cliffs are negotiated with ropes and you will find a narrow path.

falls. The rugged 18-mile trail reaches the top of several mountains and is best given a try

canine hikers in small, well-researched bites.

To get to Cypress Provincial Park, take Exit #8 of the Upper Levels Highway on West

Vancouver, and follow the path up the mountain.

copyright 2006