An easy hike to a big view, mostly through forest. Most people take 3.5 hours.
Easy · round trip · climb not listed · 3.5 hours · Dogs: check local rules
Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page
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Further afield · ~290 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (E.C. Manning) before you go.
From the Blackwall Peak area in E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Heather Trail winds mostly downhill through lush subalpine growth and alpine fir about 5 km to the Buckhorn Camp shelter, with views of Frosty Mountain and the Hozameen Range. Optional: climb 2 km more to Big Buck Mountain for 360-degree views, or continue toward First Brother (about 11 km from the start). Return uphill the same way.
Trailhead location from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Dogs, transit, fees and closures change; check the official page.
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 | Further afield |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Best July to September |
| Trailhead | Blackwall Peak, Manning Park |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Views, Forest |
| Crowds | Not rated yet |
| Managed by | BC Parks (E.C. Manning) |
Return is uphill. Snow lingers until late June; wildflowers peak in July and August. Beyond Buckhorn is backpacking terrain.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (E.C. Manning) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About not listed (round trip) with roughly not listed of elevation gain. Most people take 3.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (E.C. Manning) before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Best hikes for beginners · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · Flat and easy walks · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Heather Trail (Manning Park)." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/heather-trail/
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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