An easy out-and-back walk along the water, mostly through forest. Little climbing, so it suits a slow morning or an evening walk. Most people take 1.5–2 hours.
Easy · 5–5.5 km out-and-back · +150–200 m climb · 1.5–2 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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Metro Vancouver · ~45 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Belcarra) before you go.
From the Belcarra picnic area, cross the road onto Jug Island Trail, an old logging grade that climbs gently, passes a mossy rock wall and a wooden stair, then rolls along a rocky ridge past a hydro right-of-way to an east-facing view over Bedwell Bay. A steep descent ends at a pebbly beach facing Jug Island and Indian Arm. Return the same way, or via the hydro line and Belcarra Bay Rd.
Watch for: Rocky, rooty footing with some steep pitches; not a stroller trail.
Best season: all year
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 | Metro Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trailhead | Belcarra Regional Park, Bedwell Bay Rd |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | None. Lot fills on summer weekends. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Forest |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Managed by | Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Belcarra) |
Rolling forest trail to a small beach. Check park dog rules.
Numbers are approximate. Check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Belcarra) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 5–5.5 km (out-and-back) with roughly 150–200 m of elevation gain. Most people take 1.5–2 hours. Figures are approximate; check Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Belcarra) before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
None. Lot fills on summer weekends.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Best hikes for beginners · Winter-friendly low-level walks · Hikes under 2 hours · Lake hikes · 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 · Metro Vancouver hikes · Rainy-day hikes · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Jug Island Beach." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/jug-island/
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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