Grouse Grind

Grouse Mountain

THE classic Vancouver hike!

Trail Running Difficult

Distance: 1.9 km
Ascent: 803 m
Descent: 0 m
Duration: 1-2 hrs

Low Point: 289 m
High Point: 1.1 km
Gradient: 28˚

If you can tackle only a single trail on a visit to Vancouver, the Grouse Grind should be it. The Grouse Grind is the most iconic Vancouver hike. It is often referred to as "Mother Nature’s Stairmaster." The trail courses 853m up Grouse Mountain in only 2.9km of trail, which is made of 2,830 stairs. The Grouse Grind is, understandably, also the most popular hike in Vancouver. The trail is relatively narrow so runners (and hikers) are expected to exercise courtesy in passing one another on route. Each quarter of the trail is marked with signage. Most runners agree that the first quarter seems the longest, but the second and third quarters are surely the steepest of the trail. Many Grouse Grinders will ascend the route a multitude of times each year.

Steps on the Grouse Grind Photo: Grouse Grind Facebook page

Photo from Grouse Grind — Photo: Kyle Pearce

Downloading from the Grouse Grind Photo: Duncan Rawlison

Description

Nearly all of those who ascend the Grouse Grind opt to take the gondola down for $15. Alternatively, runners can descend via the BCMC trail, a steep and rooty singletrack variant to the Grouse Grind. The Grouse Grind has built a sort of community by allowing runners and hikers to purchase a Grind Timer card ($25), which records each ascent and displays everyone’s times on screens at the summit chalet. The summit chalet offers food and drink and shopping. Using the Grind Timer also allows runners to have a small (3.6kg/8lbs) bag transported to the summit via the gondola to allow for a sweater, jacket, food, or drink to be accessed at the top.

There is an annual race up the Grouse Grind held each September with cash prizes for the top three men and women. It doubles as a fundraiser for the B.C. Children’s Hospital.

The estimated time to complete the Grouse Grind is 1-2 hours.