A very demanding out-and-back hike to a big view. Long and demanding, with about 1500 m of climbing. Start early, and go only with experience. Usually quiet.
Very hard · 24 km out-and-back · +1500 m climb · 12–14 hours · Dogs: check local rules
Verified on October 24, 2026 against the official park page: distance, gain, time, passes. Other figures are approximate. · Sources · Cite this page
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Fraser Valley · ~70 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks before you go.
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | Fraser Valley |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Very hard |
| Season | Mid-summer to early fall |
| Trailhead | West Canyon parking lot, Golden Ears Park |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | BC Parks summer day-use vehicle pass in peak season. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Better for older, fit kids or adults |
| Highlights | Views |
| Crowds | Usually quiet |
| Managed by | BC Parks |
BC Parks: 12 km one way with 1,500 m of elevation change, about seven hours one way. The round trip is an overnight expedition for all but the fittest. Experienced hikers only.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 24 km (out-and-back) with roughly 1500 m of elevation gain. Most people take 12–14 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
BC Parks summer day-use vehicle pass in peak season.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Hikes with the best views · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Fraser Valley hikes · Quieter trails · Big climbs · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Golden Ears Summit." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/golden-ears-summit/
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Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.
My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.
Cam Appleton