A moderate out-and-back hike through old-growth forest, with water along the way. Expect about 300 m of climbing; most people take 2–2.5 hours.
Moderate · 5–6 km out-and-back · +250–300 m climb · 2–2.5 hours · Dogs: on leash
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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North Shore · ~30 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check District of West Vancouver before you go.
From the yellow gate off Westport Rd, take the service road under Hwy 1/99, then turn right at the Trans Canada Trail (East) sign onto a forest path above Nelson Canyon. At a junction by a big cedar stump, leave the TCT and drop left across Nelson Creek, then follow Whyte Creek upstream through old-growth fir and hemlock and boulder fields. A short unmarked spur reaches a dock on Whyte Lake's south shore; boardwalks continue to a junction by an A-frame outhouse before returning.
Watch for: Short unmarked spur to the dock. Boardwalks may be slick when wet.
Best season: most of the 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 | North Shore |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trailhead | Westport Rd off Highway 1 |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | None. |
| Dogs | On leash |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Forest, Old growth |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Managed by | District of West Vancouver |
Quiet lake with a dock. Trail can be muddy.
Numbers are approximate. Check District of West Vancouver for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 5–6 km (out-and-back) with roughly 250–300 m of elevation gain. Most people take 2–2.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check District of West Vancouver before you go.
Yes, on leash.
None.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Winter-friendly low-level walks · Dog-friendly hikes · Old-growth forest walks · 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 · North Shore hikes · Rainy-day hikes · Kid-friendly hikes · Dog-friendly hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Whyte Lake." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/whyte-lake/
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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