Don’t let the rain stop you from hiking in Vancouver! Surrounded by spectacular natural scenery, Vancouver has plenty of amazing walking and hiking trails — but it’s also one of the rainiest cities in Canada. The Vancouver locals don’t let rainy days stop them from exploring the best hiking trails — and you shouldn’t either!

With everything from coastal hiking trails to rainforest treks, there are plenty of top rainy day hikes to choose from in Vancouver. And, surprisingly, many of the hiking trails around the city are even better in the rain. Much less busy in the wet weather, you’ll be able to walk the trails without feeling crowded.

From hikes with trees for protection to trails with limited mud, these Vancouver hiking trails are some of the best places to go for a walk on a rainy day. Why not make the best of it and take a trip to one of these incredible hikes on your next rainy day in Vancouver!

Best Rainy Day Hikes Around Vancouver

Lynn Canyon Park

One of the best rainy day places to hike in North Vancouver is Lynn Canyon Park. Home to the spectacular Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge which crosses 50-meters over Lynn Creek, this park is a popular hiking destination. On nice days, the bridge gets pretty busy — you’ll be able to enjoy this feature better on a rainy day with fewer people!

Other incredible natural features in Lynn Canyon Park include the 30-Foot Pool, a pool of crystal clear turquoise water, and Twin Falls, a beautiful multi-level waterfall. The Baden Powell Trail, which crosses the entire North Shore, also passes through Lynn Canyon.

With trails through temperate rainforest, you’ll have plenty of protection from the rain. Tired of the wet weather? Retreat into the Lynn Canyon Ecology Center to learn about the park’s natural history or warm up with a hot drink at the Lynn Canyon Café!

Don’t want to miss anything or need transportation to the park? Try this 4-hour guided tour of Lynn Canyon Park which takes you to all of the best spots and includes transportation to/from your hotel.

Stanley Park

The most famous park in Vancouver, Stanley Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the city — no matter the weather. With a paved seawall around the park and forested trails with large trees that’ll shelter you from the rain, this is an excellent spot to go for a walk in wet weather.

Stanley Park features 400 hectares of West Coast rainforest surrounded by a seawall and some of the best sandy beaches in Vancouver. There are 27 km (17 miles) of trails to explore, with a variety of natural, historical and cultural landmarks to see.

From the impressive view of the Lions Gate Bridge at Prospect Point to the iconic Siwash Rock by the seawall, there’s lots to see and do around Stanley Park — rain or shine!

When you tire of the rain, visit the Vancouver Aquarium or head to one of the restaurants, like The Teahouse or Prospect Point Bar and Grill. If you want to continue exploring the park while also staying out of the rain, try a Stanley Park horse-drawn tour — the carriages are covered!

Want to see some of the best and quirkiest bits of Stanley Park? Join a Secrets of Stanley Park walking tour to learn the weird stories of the park and see sights like Deadman Island and the Brockton Point totem poles.

Capilano River Regional Park

Another great spot to explore on a rainy day is the Capilano River Regional Park. The park has 17-km of hiking and cycling trails that’ll take you through the park’s forests and alongside the Capilano River. It’s also nearby the incredibly popular Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, one of the must-do things in Vancouver.

You’ll want to have your camera ready when you visit Capilano River Regional Park. The views of the river canyon are spectacular. Sometimes you’ll even spot kayakers playing in the whitewater! You’ll also be able to peer over the 91-meter high Cleveland Dam on Capilano Lake.

In the rain, you’re almost guaranteed to have most of the park to yourself. For those who want to explore the trails, a popular walk is the Coho Loop. This hike takes you past the Capilano River Hatchery — a free interpretive center where you’ll learn about the lifecycle of salmon.

If you want to get a better look at the rushing waters at the base of the dam, we recommend hiking the Second Canyon Trail. And, for those who want to spot a gigantic old-growth tree, walk the Giant Fir Trail to see Grandpa Capilano — an ancient 800-year old Douglas fir.

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver features 75 hectares of old-growth forest, gorgeous seascapes, and the iconic red-and-white lighthouse on Point Atkinson. Situated between Burrard Inlet and the Howe Sound, the park is very scenic and perfect for photography… just remember to bring an umbrella!

One of the most recognizable spots in the city, Lighthouse Park is one of the best places to go in Vancouver for incredible views, even on a rainy day. The grey clouds and ocean fog create a unique atmosphere, and the rain decreases the crowds at this popular park.

Great for hikers and nature lovers, Lighthouse Park is well worth a place on your rainy day Vancouver itinerary. Hike the trails to viewpoints like Eagle, Juniper or Shore Pine Points, or beautiful spots like West Beach or Starboat Cove. The park is also a great spot to go tide pooling, so bring a seashore field guides!

Want to amazing views of the iconic lighthouse? Try this scenic 90-minute boat tour that’ll take you to Lighthouse Park and other impressive sights like the Siwash Rock, False Creek, Lions Gate Bridge and English Bay Beach, as well as a seal colony! They also provide full-length waterproof cruiser suits to help keep you dry in the rain.

Norvan Falls

For awesome waterfall views (even in the rain), hike to Norvan Falls in North Vancouver. This hike is located in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, Metro Vancouver’s largest regional park at 9216.5 acres.

On rainy days, Norvan Falls fills with water and gets so much more epic. Watch the water rushing down in torrents. Surrounded by lush forest, this waterfall makes for some excellent photos!

The hike to Norvan Falls is a 14-km out-and-back trail. The first half of the trail follows Lynn Creek, before heading more into the forest.

Later in the trail, as you near Norvan Creek, you might hit some muddy sections of trail, if it’s the rainy season. You’ll need waterproof hiking boots to comfortably complete this hike!

Lynn Loop Trail

The Lynn Loop Trail is another popular rainy day hike in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. About 5.5 km long, this loop trail takes you through the mossy rainforest and alongside the gorgeous Lynn Creek.

The Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is quite beautiful. The loop trail offers incredible views of Lynn Creek with Mount Fromme in the background. You’ll walk through the lush rainforest, under towering trees and past moss-covered stumps — and after it rains, the forest becomes even more green!

While this hiking trail doesn’t have the expansive vistas offered by other hikes in Vancouver, the trees will help protect you from the rain. Also, the gravel trails on the lower section prevent mud.

The Lynn Loop Trail shares a trailhead with a couple of other hiking trails that’re fun to do in the rain, including Norvan Falls and the Cedar Mill Trail. The Coliseum Mountain, Hanes Valley, and Lynn Peak Trails also start from this trailhead, but these hikes are too high elevation to be good for a rainy day.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Pacific Spirit Regional Park on Point Grey is an excellent spot to head on a rainy day for a walk. Located on the University Endowment Lands, just adjacent to the University of British Columbia campus, this 874 hectare park has plenty to explore with over 55 km of forested trails.

Choose from a variety of trails taking you throughout the park’s green space. From the Camosun Bog trail to massive trees on Sword Fern Trail, the paths around the park are quite scenic and sheltered from the rain by the trees.

Along the edges of the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, there are a few beaches to check out, like Wreck and Acadia Beach. While you might not want to hang out on the beach in the rain, it’s worth heading back to this area to visit Wreck Beach (a top Vancouver beach — but also clothing optional)!

Jug Island Beach Trail

The Jug Island Beach Trail is a 5-km hiking trail in Belcarra Regional Park, just to the northwest of Port Moody. With low elevation and fewer people in wet weather, this is one of the best hikes for a rainy day in Metro Vancouver.

The hiking trail follows the peninsula beside Bedwell Bay, heading through the forest and ending at a rocky beach. Here, you’ll get scenic views of the small but beautiful Jug Island and waters of the Indian Arm fjord, a northern offshoot of Burrard Inlet.