An easy hike through old-growth forest, with water along the way. Most people take 2.5 hours.
Easy · 4 km round trip · climb not listed · 2.5 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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North Shore · ~45 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Parks (Cypress) before you go.
From the kiosk east of Cypress Creek Lodge, follow Yew Lake signs clockwise past the Eagle chair base, cross Cypress Creek and reach Yew Lake below Black Mountain. Wander through subalpine meadow and ponds, then into old-growth yellow cedar and amabilis fir. A minor trail between two tall hemlocks leads onto an old road and a gravelled path up to Bowen Lookout, overlooking Howe Sound and Bowen Island, before returning.
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 | North Shore |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Best July to October |
| Trailhead | Yew Lake, Cypress Provincial 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 | Lakes & water, Views, Old growth, Forest |
| Crowds | Not rated yet |
| Managed by | BC Parks (Cypress) |
Wait for snow to clear. Several junctions; follow signs.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Parks (Cypress) for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 4 km (round trip) with roughly not listed of elevation gain. Most people take 2.5 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Parks (Cypress) 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 · 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 · Flat and easy walks · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Yew Lake and Bowen Lookout." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/yew-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