Update February 2022: Quarry Rock remains closed due to significant infrastructure projects taking place.

There are a lot of awesome trails to choose from in North Vancouver but the Deep Cove hike to Quarry Rock is always an excellent choice. This is a relatively easy hike, with stunning views over Deep Cove, BC, which is accessible by public transit. This makes it a popular choice for locals and tourists as they search for beautiful views close to downtown Vancouver.

The Deep Cove trail to Quarry Rock is an ideal choice for people who are just starting out hiking, for families with younger kids and even for experienced hikers who want an easy trail with great scenery. Once you make it to the viewpoint of the Quarry Rock Trail, you’ll see why this is one of the most popular hikes in Vancouver.

While the Quarry Rock hike in Deep Cove is the highlight of this area, this is also an awesome place to spend the day. You can walk along the shoreline, enjoy some delicious treats from Honey Doughnuts or rent a paddleboard to explore from the water. Quarry Rock in Deep Cove makes for an epic short hike and it is definitely a hike that should make it onto your bucket list.

Deep Cove, Quarry Rock Trail Overview

How to Get to Deep Cove

By Car

The driving directions to Deep Cove in North Vancouver, BC, are really easy to follow. From downtown, head east and cross the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge to reach North Vancouver. On the other side of the bridge, take exit 23B on Dollarton Highway. You can follow this road, which eventually turns into Deep Cove Road, all the way into Deep Cove.

Alternatively, you can turn left off of Dollarton Highway onto Riverside Drive and then right onto Mt Seymour Parkway, which eventually joins back up to Dollarton Highway but can be a bit quicker, although not as scenic as taking Dollarton highway.

Deep Cove parking can be a bit of a nightmare, especially on the weekends. There is a small parking lot at Panorama Park, which is right next to the trailhead but this tends to be very busy. Be prepared to park further away and walk an extra 10 or 15 minutes to reach the trailhead.

Bus to Deep Cove

As mentioned earlier, it is quite easy to get here via public transit and there are a couple of different routes that you can take. The easiest route from downtown Vancouver is to take #211, the Deep Cove bus, from Burrard Station all the way here. There are no transfers necessary for this route.

Alternatively, you can take the Seabus over to Lonsdale Quay and take #239 to Phibbs Exchange. From here you can take either bus #211 or #212 to Deep Cove.

This is definitely a much slower option but it is a scenic crossing on the Seabus, and Lonsdale Quay is a great place to explore. This is a good option if you want to make a full day out of your Deep Cove hiking adventure.

Deep Cove Hike to Quarry Rock

This Deep Cove hiking trail is actually a small section of the Baden Powell Trail and you can encompass this into a longer hike along this trail if you want. To reach the trailhead for this hike you need to walk along Panorama Drive.

Shortly after passing the end of the park which sits right on the water, you will see a sign marking the trailhead at the base of a set of wooden stairs. The trailhead is easy to find and it is marked on Google Maps if you just search for the Quarry Rock Hike.

The first section of the Deep Cove lookout trail climbs up through the forest along a set of stairs before turning into a beaten earth path. It is quite a well-maintained trail, although you will have to navigate around some tree roots on the path.

You won’t get much of a view as you hike along this trail but the forest, like most of the trails in North Vancouver, is extremely pretty. After climbing for a few minutes the trail levels off and is relatively flat until you reach the main viewpoint.

After around 30 minutes of hiking, you will cross a wooden bridge and then climb a short set of stairs. Follow the trail for a few minutes more and you will reach a fork in the trail. The left trail climbs steeply and the trail on the right is the one that will take you to Quarry Rock.

We do recommend checking out the view by following the left trail for a few minutes though. It takes you to a small clearing with almost no other people. The view isn’t quite as special as the main viewpoint at the end of the hike but we like that it is much quieter.

Quarry Rock Viewpoint

Follow the trail to the right and you will shortly come out of the forest onto the giant chunk of rock that overlooks Deep Cove, Indian Arm and over to the mountains around Belcarra. The views really are spectacular and it’s always nice to get scenery this good without having to put in too much work.

Take in the magnificent views and then find an empty patch of rock to sit and enjoy some lunch or some snacks before you make the return journey.

As mentioned, this is a busy hike so don’t expect to get this viewpoint to yourself, and it tends to be busy right until sunset. Don’t let that put you off though as this is still a fantastic hike and one that is worth doing whether you are a long-time local or just visiting Vancouver for a few days.

This is easily the best of the hikes in Deep Cove and it is one of our favourite easy hikes around Vancouver, especially as it is so accessible via public transit. After admiring the view and refuelling on some snacks you can make your way back along the same path.

The Deep Cove Quarry Rock hike should take around 1.5 hours, including some time to relax at the top. It is quite easy and don’t be surprised to see people hiking with kids, in jeans or with a Starbucks cup in their hands. If you want to try and avoid some of the crowds then try and come during the week or get up early for a weekend sunrise.

Final Thoughts

The Deep Cove hike to Quarry Rock is an awesome easy hike that you don’t need much time to complete. Plus you can grab Deep Cove’s infamous Honey Doughnuts once you are finished. There are a few good Deep Cove hiking trails, but this is the pick of the bunch.

We also love that the Deep Cove hike in Vancouver can be done year-round so it is ideal if you are on the lookout for some great winter hikes in Vancouver.

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Looking for more things to do around Vancouver? Check out some other awesome activities here:

• 21 BEST HIKES AROUND VANCOUVER, BC
• BOWEN LOOKOUT TRAIL | Cypress Mountain
• ST MARKS SUMMIT | Cypress Mountain
• NORVAN FALLS HIKE IN NORTH VANCOUVER
• EAGLE BLUFFS TRAIL | Cypress Mountain
• LOWER FALLS TRAIL IN GOLDEN EARS