Grouse Grind Trail — Attraction in District of North Vancouver

This is an awesome experience and a must for anyone living in BC. My first climb was a crazy one, climbing in the night and under snowfall. But finally went back and did it under ideal conditions with my darling wife.

Title: A Challenging and Rewarding Adventure on the Grouse Grind

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

I recently had the opportunity to hike the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver, and it was an incredible experience that I will never forget. This challenging trail offers a unique adventure for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Here is my review of hiking the Grouse Grind:

From the moment I set foot on the trail, I was captivated by the stunning natural beauty that surrounded me. The lush greenery, towering trees, and panoramic views of the city below created a picturesque setting that made the hike even more enjoyable.

The Grouse Grind is known for its steep and relentless ascent, and let me tell you, it lives up to its reputation. The trail is a true test of endurance and physical fitness, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit is unparalleled. Each step brought me closer to the top, and the feeling of pushing my limits was exhilarating.

Throughout the hike, there are markers that indicate the progress made, which serves as both motivation and a reminder of how far you've come. The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked, ensuring that hikers can navigate their way without any confusion.

One of the highlights of the Grouse Grind is the camaraderie and support among fellow hikers. It was inspiring to see people of all ages and fitness levels pushing themselves to complete the challenging trail. Encouraging words and friendly nods from fellow hikers created a sense of community and made the experience even more enjoyable.

Reaching the summit of the Grouse Grind was an unforgettable moment. The breathtaking views of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains were worth every ounce of effort put into the hike. It was a true reward for the hard work and determination required to conquer the trail. Only negative is the fact that after climbing to the top the Grouse mountain demand that you pay $20/person to take a ride down. This should be FREE for locals!

I highly recommend hiking the Grouse Grind to anyone who is up for a challenge and wants to experience the beauty of North Vancouver's nature. However, it's important to come prepared with proper hiking gear, plenty of water, and a positive mindset. The trail can be strenuous, but the sense of accomplishment and the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile.

Overall, the Grouse Grind is a must-do hike that offers a unique and rewarding adventure. It pushes your physical limits, immerses you in nature's beauty, and provides a sense of achievement that is unmatched.

Hiking the Grouse Grind offers several highlights that make the experience truly memorable.

Breathtaking Natural Beauty: The Grouse Grind is nestled in the lush greenery of North Vancouver, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and cityscape.

Physical Challenge: The Grouse Grind is known for its steep and relentless ascent, making it a challenging hike that pushes your physical limits. Sense of Accomplishment: Reaching the summit of the Grouse Grind is a significant achievement. Community Spirit: The Grouse Grind attracts hikers of all ages and fitness levels. You'll often encounter fellow hikers who are supportive and encouraging. Milestone Markers: The trail is marked with milestones that indicate your progress. These markers serve as motivation and reminders of how far you've come. Wildlife Encounters: Along the trail, you may have the opportunity to spot various wildlife, including birds, squirrels, and sometimes even bears. Spectacular Views: As you make your way up the Grouse Grind, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. Skyride Gondola Descent: After completing the hike, you have the option to descend using the Skyride gondola at a $20 fee...

The Grouse Grind is one of the toughest trails or hikes within British Columbia. You have most likely heard about it before, especially if you are a BC resident. The synopsis is this is a great outing, but one for moderately to extremely fit individuals. Anyone CAN do the Grind, but for it to be an enjoyable experience, this is the ideal. That said, here are some points I thought might be good to share as I conquered this beast:

The markers you will see that say "GG X/40" are your distance/completion of the hike. The "1/4, 1/2, 3/4" signs are your altitude. The Grind has an altitude of 853 metres and a distance of 2.9 kilometres. What this means is at 1/2 and 20/40 you will be at 426.5 metres altitude and 1.45 KM respectively. The GG markers are better to go off of as they will give you an estimate of your completion of the trek, and are more frequent in number.

The average time according to multiple sources and Grouse itself is 1.5 to 2 hours. BRING WATER AND TAKE YOUR TIME. I did the Grind in an hour and four minutes time, with breaks every 2 GG's (every 145 metres). This may seem small, but bare in mind over the course of 2.9 km you are rising the full 853 metres, at varying elevation degrees. It will be tiring, and it is ok to go slow.

Multiple people will tell you "It is just stairs". Ladies and gentlemen: IT IS NOT JUST STAIRS. The Grouse grind is composed of under 50% formal man made stairs, with the rest being root systems, rocks (at times unsteady due to natural erosion) and other "footholds". This is why it is important to bring proper footwear and be cognizant of your body weight. There are ropes and wooden rails to help support those who lack ideal balance sporadically throughout the trek.

The 1st part (start to 1/4) is NOT the hardest, despite what some say. 1/4 onwards is an increase in altitude climbed per KM, and as such will be more taxing. You will find you are going slower, and that is ok.

If you go with others, make sure you bring a phone. If you go alone, make sure you bring a phone. Regardless, just be sure to check in in case someone wants to rest and you go on without them.

Lastly: I've attached a picture of the last portion (past 39/40 GG) where you will reach the exterior of the lodge and the button if you are tracking your time. It does not stop and this last portion will not treat you kindly. Persevere and continue and you WILL make it to the end. If you don't see this image while hiking, keep going forwards as - in addition to passage down the trail being not permitted - you should focus less on how others are doing or your time, and moreso on how YOU are doing and how you'll feel overcoming this challenge.

You can do this. Just ensure you are prepared and know what you are getting into. Godspeed, and tell me how the view is once you've...

Don’t underestimate this trail. It becomes more steep toward the top and only ascending is permitted. If you can climb 800m vertical of stairs, then you have the right fitness. Proper shoes are needed to get a grip on wet wood or stone, but there are ropes and tree roots you can grab for balance in most areas. It gets progressively wetter toward the top, depending on the season and on precipitation levels. You will have to climb on large rocks in some spots, and on tree roots. Your calves may burn. The good news is there are opportunities and spaces to take a break, although I would not suggest stopping with a large group as it would impede other hikers. In many spots it is narrow.

I would recommend poles to make it easier and one bottle of water. Bring a change of dry clothing for the top if you sweat. The trail is well shaded but as it is mostly a continuous climb, so you probably will sweat!

Time to complete the trail ranges from 30 minutes to over 3 hours, depending on your level of fitness and stops. As a guideline, you can finish this as fast as you can run or walk 10k, if you are putting maximum effort out.

Yield to faster hikers. To descend, you can use the BCMC trail or pay the $20 download ticket on the gondola, which is packed with people standing, using leather loops to hold on above, or bars along the side. There are two small benches for a handful of riders. Enter on one side of the car and exit on the opposite side. You can buy the download ticket either online or at the kiosk near the top of the stairs at the entrance from the Grind.

If you enjoyed your visit, you can consider buying into the computerized timing board.

Be prepared and have fun! The view is mostly of where to place your feet, but if you take the time, you can hear the call of the grouse and see some limited views through the trees.

I have been doing this trail since 1997 and they are continuously improving the trail, but also raising the price of the download tickets. When we started, the...