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 1–1.5 hours.
Easy · 3.5–4 km out-and-back · +30–60 m climb · 1–1.5 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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Sunshine Coast · ~150 min from downtown incl. ferry
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Smuggler Cove Marine Park) 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 | Sunshine Coast |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trailhead | Brooks Road trailhead off Highway 101, Halfmoon Bay |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | None. BC Ferries fare to Langdale. BC Ferries sailing from Horseshoe Bay; drive time shown includes an approximate crossing. Check the BC Ferries schedule. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Forest |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Smuggler Cove Marine Park) |
Easy forest and boardwalk to sheltered coves. Wet roots and short rocky sections at the viewpoints.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Smuggler Cove Marine Park) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 3.5–4 km (out-and-back) with roughly 30–60 m of elevation gain. Most people take 1–1.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Smuggler Cove Marine Park) before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
None. BC Ferries fare to Langdale. BC Ferries sailing from Horseshoe Bay; drive time shown includes an approximate crossing. Check the BC Ferries schedule.
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 · Ferry day hikes · Rainy-day hikes · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Smuggler Cove." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/smuggler-cove/
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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