Hiking and Exploring Golden Ears ⛰️ A Vancouver Day Trip Itinerary
- Megan Brillos
- May 12
- 5 min read
Updated: May 13
Keen to escape Vancouver's bustling cityscape as tourist season kicks off? I have the perfect spot for you.
This weekend we ventured to Golden Ears Provincial Park, less than two hours away from downtown Vancouver, but far enough to feel like you're in a different province as you watch the mountainscape morph along your drive. Eventually, you'll find yourself coming upon the iconic "Golden Ears" peaks, believed to be named after the way the sunset hits them during golden hour, illuminating them in a way that looks like... well, ears!
Getting There
We went by car and think it's definitely the easiest way, as free parking is abundant throughout the park. Great car rental options in Vancouver are Modo and Evo, and both are used frequently.
For public transit, there are two main options. ParkBus goes there directly and takes just about an hour to the drop off at Gold Creek Parking. You'll depart from 1025 Dunsmuir Street (near Burrard Station downtown) at 9:30am and arrive back in town around 5:30pm. It only operates on Saturdays in the summer and costs about $64 roundtrip.
The more flexible and budget-friendly (about $10 each way) public transit option is TransLink's system, though it involves multiple transfers and a walk:
SkyTrain: Take the Millennium Line to Lafarge Lake–Douglas Station.
Bus 701: From there, catch the 701 bus towards Maple Ridge.
Bus 733: Transfer to the 733 bus, which runs along 132 Avenue.
Disembark: Get off at 239B Street and 132 Avenue.
Walk: From this stop, it's about a 30-minute walk to the park entrance, followed by several kilometers to reach the main trailheads like Gold Creek Parking.
Note: the walk to the park's interior on this option is significant and not easy.
Trails (from easiest to hardest):
Lower Falls: This is the trail we did and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It's more of a casual walk than a hike of any sorts, but the views are gorgeous and spice up your socials for sure. The path is gravel and runs parallel to Gold Creek (which is so clear and pure it's actually known to be safe drinking water). You'll find many people just hanging out on creekside, and there's stunning views of the "Ears" most of the way. The waterfall is the end-point, but walk up another 100 meters to get a view of the pool before the waterfall. Note: a local told us around 3 people die yearly trying to climb closer to the waterfall so stay smart and stay alive!
Dog-friendly: Yes, leashed
Length: 5.5 km, 2 hrs at a leisurely pace
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Out-back
North Beach Trail: A pretty trail with many spots to swim (the "beach" is rocky) and beautiful views along the way. The trail is relatively flat so its an accessible trail for the entire family. There's a large parking lot at the trailhead with plenty of space.
Dog-friendly: Yes, off-leash under command
Length: 2.6 km, 45 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Out-back
Upper Falls: This is the trail for the more experienced hikers who want a more challenging version of Lower Falls. The trail is rugged and naturally bump with many roots and rocks. A great option for dogs who want plenty of creek access. Note: Lower Falls is currently not accessible from the east side of the creek.
Dog-friendly: Yes, leashed
Length: 10 km, 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Alder Flats via East Canyon Trail: A well-maintained trail that dances with the surrounding creek. There's ample canopy coverage with a big payout of a viewpoint at the very end. There are some challenges with terrain including muddy areas, rocky terrain, and steep sections.
Dog-friendly: Yes, off-leash under command
Length: 11.4 km, 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out-back
Evans Peak Trail: This infamous trail beings with beautiful forestry, but turns into an expert's challenge quickly with even very experienced hikers famously having trouble with swinging ropes and slippery ascents. If you can make it up, the summit gives you an eagle’s view over Alouette Lake, and the climb itself is thrilling for scramblers. It's a very technical trail with ropes and scrambles leading to a stunning summit panorama, but be super careful the entire way down as conditions are described as "treacherous."
Dog-friendly: Yes, on-leash for highly experienced dogs only (to be honest, I don't understand how any dogs would be able to do this but they're technically allowed)
Length: 8.9 km, 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out-back
Golden Ears Summit Trail: This trail is described as one of British Columbia's provincial park gems. The first third of the trail is relatively easy through forested terrain, but evelation spikes after the wooded walk. There's a ridge up to Golden Ears that's in great condition, but has steep and gnarly sections. This is another stunning endpoint with panoramic views for the brave, skilled hikers that take on this summit. Note: expect significant snow accumulation.
Dog-friendly: Yes, on-leash for highly experienced dogs
Length: 22.5 km, 10 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out-back
Post-hike exploration
Not ready to leave? I wasn't either. Here's how to extend your time in and around Golden Ears to make the most of the day!
The Patch Brewery - We stumbled across the gorgeous, brand-new brewery and had a pizza and some beers! They're dog-friendy outside and had some awesome live music. Perfect weekend vibes.
Billy Miner Alehouse - Another great option for brews and hearty food, located in downtown Maple Ridge. Temporarily closed for fire damage repairs.
Kanaka Creek Coffee - Not in the mood for beer? Try coffee and fresh-bakes here.
Hopcott Farms - A gorgeous market, bistro and butcher shop to parouse on your way back into the city.
Outpost Mini Donuts or Bella Vita Gelato - For some post-hike sweet treat rewards
Explore Alouette Lake
Picnic at Alouette Lake (South Beach) - note this is not a dog-friendly area sadly
Picnic at Alouette Lake (North Beach) - dog friendly (they can even go for a swim) and peaceful
Kayak or paddle-board the lake with Alouette Lake Boat Rentals
Wanna make it a weekend?
Camp overnight at Alouette Lake (bookable via https://camping.bcparks.ca)
Book a cozy AirBnb in Maple Ridge or Mission
Go horseback riding or stargazing overnight
In a nutshell
Honestly, I think it's the perfect daytrip, and can't wait to try it soon for a weekend trip. Get up early, drive to Golden Ears for a trail or two, followed by some sweet treats and a brewery--works for me!
Note: Like most places in Canada, locals told us to expect Golden Ears Provincial Park to get busier and busier as summer crescendoes and more tourists come in for the great weather and the good life. Get oot & aboot now!
Have you explored Golden Ears? Share your experience in the comments below!
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