Grouse Grind Peak — Attraction in District of North Vancouver

You gotta be super fit to do this.

Explore this 2.6-km point-to-point trail near North Vancouver, British Columbia. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 48 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and trail running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

The Grouse Grind is one of Vancouver’s most iconic trails which takes users up the face of Grouse Mountain, sometimes referred to as Mother Nature's Stairmaster. This trail is very challenging, and users should come prepared to struggle. On average, it takes up to an hour and a half to complete the ascent. For novice hikers, more than two hours is recommended.

The trail begins just east to the right of the Grouse Mountain Gondola in an area with posts set up for hikers to use for stretching their arms and legs before the hike. Walk past the gate and over the small bridge and immediately begin the uphill ascent. The trail levels out until users reach a sign at a fork in the trail. Go left at the fork and continue your uphill climb making the way over rocks, roots, and wooden steps. After 15 minutes or so, users cross a small bridge over a dried-up creek. It's only another ten minutes to the first quarter mark.

Each quarter mark is clearly shown with large signs and can be a relief or an indication on whether to continue or not. If users are struggling at the first quarter mark or have run out of water, it's probably a better idea to walk back down as there is still a long, grueling way to go and users could potentially run into some serious problems if they choose to continue. For those continuing, the trail weaves its way uphill over more wooden steps. The third quarter is the steepest with the trail traversing over rock in some sections. The fourth quarter is also quite steep with some sections containing very large steps. Remember to keep going - the summit is getting close!

Once at the top, users have earned bragging rights by saying they have completed 'The Grind'. Here, users will enjoy plenty of spaces to take in the views, relaxing or walking around the area. During the summer, this area is very busy, so expect to have crowds and wait for views at times. One of the main reasons users love the ascent challenge for this route is because users can, at the summit, walk towards the Grouse Mountain Chalet and up the stairs to the entrance. Just inside, users can buy their ticket for the Gondola ride before heading back down, have a beer at the bar, or wander around the top of Grouse Mountain to check out the events or scenery. This is truly a unique hiking experience to Vancouver, so those first-time hikers should definitely come here during good...

The Grouse Grind is a popular hiking trail located on the North Shore of Vancouver, Canada. It is known for its steep climb and is often referred to as the "Mother Nature's Stairmaster". The trail is 2.9 kilometers long, and it gains an elevation of 853 meters. The trail starts at the base of Grouse Mountain and ends at the mountain's peak.

The trail is well-maintained and is open for hiking from May to October. During the hiking season, the trail is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. The trail is marked with poles and plaques at each kilometer, which assists hikers to track their progress.

The hike itself is very challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Hikers should come prepared with sturdy shoes, water, and light layers of clothing, as the temperature can vary from the base of the mountain to the peak. Many hikers, both seasoned and first-timers, find the hike very rewarding as the stunning views from the top of the mountain are breathtaking. It provides an excellent opportunity to test one's physical endurance and ability to push themselves outside of their comfort zone.

It is essential to check weather conditions before starting the hike, as rain or low-visibility conditions can make the trail significantly more challenging and potentially hazardous. It is also important to follow the rules and regulations of the hike, including staying on the trail, carrying out all trash, and avoiding trail-running during peak periods.

Overall, while the Grouse Grind is not for the faint of heart, it offers a great challenge and a rewarding sense of achievement for hikers who complete it. The incredible views at the top, as well as the sense of accomplishment, make it a must-do hike for anyone...

As my visa is about to expire and I was working before when the grind was open, pluss covid, I didn't have a chance to try it out before. So we had to do it today(26.02.21)! ☀️ It is still closed actually and I'd say for a good reason. But people who have experience with living/hiking/climbing in snow and/or mountains can totally easily do it! Yeah there was slippery places, about 2/3 of the trail was snow and on a sunny day like it was today you do get slippery buildup of snow on steps.. pluss people walk it all the time.. I wouldn't say it was crowded, no, we saw like 5-6 people, but even that traffic makes a path.. There was not too much visible snow on trees on the path, but there was some occasional snow splatters around and it was quite snowy at the top(over ankle deep).. to be expected❄️.. nice quiet trail.. some good views.. I was hoping even for more.. but that's completely personal.. it's a beautiful thing.. some of you will sweat, but some will have a walk in the park.. last ones would be like my partner who is a tall legged vegan athlete 🙈.. where's I have short legs and I guess not an athlete.. I did sweat my shirt a bit ☔ .. all and all, not a hard klimb, but you rather should have some experience if you want to risk it this time of the year.. I'm estonian❄️🤍 and I've climbed over 6000m mountains, but I was lazy enough to take the 15$ ride down with the gondola(didn't book it ahead; also it was very crowded).. if you are a newby in mountain trekking and snow don't even.. 😅 but your choice obviously.. with a slow careful tempo(no spikes)we did it in 1hr15min.. the Grouse Grind still remains...