Scenic summer hikes you can get to from Vancouver without a car

You don’t need a car to visit some of the most incredible lakes, provincial parks, and hiking trails in British Columbia, so why not go ahead and plan an end-of-summer adventure or two?

Here are some scenic, transit-friendly hikes to check out from Vancouver this summer.

Golden Ears 

One of the largest provincial parks in BC, Golden Ears is the ideal destination for day-trippers and campers alike, with extensive hiking and horseback riding tails, swimming and boating at Alouette Lake, and beautiful forest to explore. Passengers can hop on a Parkbus that takes them directly to the park from downtown Vancouver for $64 roundtrip.

Time: Approximately one hour

Stawamus Chief Park 

Up for a challenge? This provincial park protects one of the largest granite monoliths in the world, and summer is a great time to take on one (or all) of three summits while on the famed (and very steep) hike! Starting with a stretch of stairs, the hike comes to three scenic summits, offering views of Howe Sound, Squamish downtown, and beyond.

As for August 3rd, 2024, there’s also a Parkbus route going directly to the Chief!

Sasamat Lake

A popular choice for lake days in the summer, Sasamat Lake not only offers visitors wide sandy shores to explore, but an extensive trail network if you want to work up a sweat before taking a dip into its clear waters. All in all, it’s about an hour and a half trip each way – from Commercial-Broadway station, you can hop on the Millenium Line to Port Moody, where you can hop on the 179 at Moody Centre (or Inlet Centre Station) towards Belcarra Regional Park.

Time: Approximately an hour and a half

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Alice Lake

A short bus journey via Epic Rides ($44 roundtrip) or Skylynx ($42 roundtrip) from Vancouver takes you to Squamish, where you can catch a Line 1 bus to Alice Lake Provincial Park. This picturesque spot is surrounded by towering trees, offering beachgoers plenty of shade for when they’ve had enough of the direct sun. Enjoy a dip on the scenic Four Lakes Trail the next time you’re there!

As for August 3rd, 2024, there’s also a Parkbus route going directly to the provincial park!

Time: Approximately 2 hours

Cultus Lake 

Another Parkbus destination, Cultus Lake Park is a popular outdoor destination for many reasons. For one, the provincial park is conveniently situated just an hour and half away from Vancouver, boasting crystal-clear waters and almost 300 front-country campsites to choose from.

For hikers, trails like the Seven Sisters Trail (connecting Entrance Bay and Clear Creek campgrounds) and the more challenging Teapot Hill Trail offer stunning mountain vistas.

Time: One and a half hours

Garibaldi Lake 

For $95 roundtrip, you can hop on a Parkbus to one of the most breathtaking, iconic provincial parks in the country. And for that price, you’ll get direct service from downtown Vancouver to the park entrance, as well as a day pass with access to over 90 km of trails. Parkbus will drop visitors off at the Rubble Creek parking lot, the official trailhead for Garibaldi Lake and Panorama Ridge.

Time: Approximately one and a half hours

Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

Catch a bus 210 from downtown Vancouver to Upper Lynn Valley (or the 228 from Lonsdale to Lynn Valley) to explore this hidden gem, which offers lush greenery, cascading falls under the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, and plenty of trails worth exploring.

Time: Approximately one hour and 20 minutes

Buntzen Lake

Situated in Port Moody, Buntzen Lake is easily accessible via transit and offers a beautiful spot for swimming, picnicking, hiking, and paddling. You can take the N9 from downtown Vancouver to Coquitlam Central Station, where you can easily hop on 179 to head to the lake’s entrance.

Time: Approximately two hours

So there you have it, BC! It turns out that all that’s needed for the perfect day hike is a good pair of shoes, sunblock, and a bus pass!

Happy adventuring!