Introduction

We all know that hiking & magic mushrooms go together like peanut butter and jelly; those Canadians who live in and around Vancouver are especially blessed with some of the most amazing, gorgeous, and secluded hikes in super close proximity to the city! We’ve selected hikes in Vancouver proper as well as in some of the surrounding cities (but still within the Lower Mainland.)

Without further adieu, here’s the list!

1. Stanley Park – Lighthouse Loop

Within minutes of leaving downtown Vancouver, head towards the sea (west) and you will find a perfect place to hike amongst the trees and pick some magic mushrooms. This trail is located in Stanley Park, which is an extremely popular location for runners, walkers, cyclists and tourists.

The loop is about nine kilometers (or five miles) and is an easy hike, with enough uphills to get your heart pumping and downhills for a fast pace. The scenery in this park is absolutely beautiful: it has a lighthouse, gorgeous trees and flowers in the summertime and even a large pond that you can fish in (if you’re of age, and have a fishing licence). You’ll be able to find many quiet spots along this trail for camping and mushroom picking.

If you’re interested in seeing wildlife, Stanley Park is the best place to be. It houses bears, coyotes, raccoons and seagulls (to name a few). Viewing these creatures can be tricky – they don’t like people too close by – but it’s possible if you’re willing to hike quietly and spend some time at the park.

For lunch, there are many nearby restaurants like The Sandbar (seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives), which has great seafood. If you don’t feel like leaving the park for some nourishment, head to one of the smaller beaches along Lighthouse Loop or Second Beach. Both offer excellent spots to eat your lunch while enjoying the view.

On average, it takes about 2-3 hours to complete this loop (longer if you’re not used to long hikes). Hike at your own pace and enjoy nature in one of Vancouver’s most beautiful locations.

2. Garden City Lands – Quarry Trail

This trail is also within minutes from downtown Vancouver. Head towards the sea (west) and go for a run. This park has a ton of forest, and if you keep going deeper into the woods, you will find more mushrooms.

The Quarry Trail is located next to the Gastown steam clock, so remember to check out that landmark on your way through!

If you are really interested in finding some mushrooms, head out here early in the morning. This park is very popular with joggers and dog-walkers, but if you get there early enough, you will be able to see some of the park’s natural inhabitants.

The trail has several sections that form loops (yellow, green, and orange). If it is your first time hiking this trail, keep in mind that you’ll need to complete at least two loops for a full run.

Afterwards, stop by one of the many cafes or restaurants nearby, and refuel.

The trail ends at a small open area with seating along the edges. This is a perfect place to read a book or have a picnic on a sunny day.

Be aware that this trail can get very muddy during wet weather, so wear appropriate footwear. Also, even though there are several water fountains along the trail, it would be wise to bring your own water bottle.

If you are looking for something a little less strenuous, or if you want to take in the greenery while stretching your legs, The Quarry Trail is perfect for that!

3. Deadman’s Island – North Bluff Trail

North Bluff Trail is one of the most beautiful hiking trails I have ever been on. It starts at Deadman’s Island in Stanley Park near Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.

The trailhead is just off Pipeline Road behind Siwash Rock not far from the totem poles. From here you will trek through forests for about half an hour until you reach the North Bluff, a large sloping rock with ocean vistas to the north and west. It is a stunning sight.

There are a few places where you can sit down and enjoy the view in complete privacy, so it is ideal for meditation or just spending some time alone contemplating life.

The trail itself is also very interesting. Huge trees tower above you, some more than a thousand years old, and there are many fallen logs that are perfect for sitting on. Wildlife too abounds here; if you keep your eyes open while hiking along you will see chipmunks darting about in the undergrowth, squirrels nimbly climbing trees, and birds of all kinds. You might even see some deer or raccoon tracks along the way.

The only downside is that the trail does not loop back to where you started when you reach the bluff, so you need to retrace your steps when you are done enjoying this phenomenal sight.

4. Burnaby Mountain – Bob’s Hill Trail Loop

Hiking in Burnaby Mountain – Bob’s Hill Trail Loop is a fantastic way to spend the day. The trailhead starts at the north end of Sprott Street, right next to Simon Fraser University. There are several trails within this hike, and it is mainly just a destination for hikers and bikers looking to get away from the city while still being within a one hour drive from Vancouver.

This trail is the least strenuous of all trails in Burnaby Mountain, but there are still some steep uphill sections, and it will take around two hours to complete the loop returning to your starting point. Almost all of this hike is surrounded by trees or shrubs, so you will hardly see any wildlife until you reach the summit. Once you do reach the top, Bob’s Hill is not a flat-top mountain, so expect to see another downhill section before your return to where you begun.

During winter months when there has been a lot of snowfall in Vancouver and surrounding areas, this hike will become covered in snow and ice. It is highly recommended that you do not attempt this trail during those months as the hike becomes very difficult and dangerous without proper equipment.

In good weather, this trail provides a large variety of wildlife including birds, rabbits, deer, chipmunks and squirrels. It is very common to see a few of these animals along your journey. There are also several ponds along the route that are home to frogs, turtles and fish. If you choose to go swimming along your hike there is a small pond just before you reach the summit of Bob’s Hill that will be very refreshing on a hot summer day.

5. Golden Ears Provincial Park – South Trails

Burnaby is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It has about 230,000 people living in the area and is part of Metro Vancouver, with 2.4 million living in that area as a whole. The total land area of Burnaby is 61 square kilometers (23 square miles).

The geography around Burnaby can make for some great hiking, including the South Trails in Golden Ears Provincial Park. The trails are very diverse, ranging from easy to difficult. There are many different ecosystems, each with their own unique wildlife and scenery. Many of the trails at Golden Ears have views over Burrard Inlet and across to the Coast Mountains.

There are more than 20 kilometers of trails across the South end of Golden Ears. The trails are all very well marked, so you can find your way around easily if you are by yourself or with a large group. You should make sure you check out Lake Lovely Water Trail before heading back to civilization.

Some of the wildlife that you can see when hiking in Burnaby Mountain – Golden Ears Provincial Park – South Trails include deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, coyotes, hawks and eagles. Birds such as loons and thrushes can be heard in the woods, and there are salmon in the river.

There are several ways to get to Burnaby Mountain and Golden Ears Park if you live well outside of Vancouver. You could drive or take public transportation, but it may be easier to just catch a ride with someone who lives closer. Keep in mind that trails are open to the public only during the daytime, so you will need to leave before sunset or risk getting locked in for the night.

The South Trails make for some good hiking and offer a range of difficulty levels. You can see many types of wildlife and beautiful scenery along these well-marked trails. Being close to Vancouver, these trails are easy to get to and can make for a great day out.

6. Deep Cove – Baden-Powell Trail Loop

One of the best places to hike in Vancouver is at Deep Cove on the Baden-Powell Trail. This trail has beautiful ocean and mountain scenery, wildlife such as eagles and chipmunks; but most importantly it’s a great opportunity for people who love outdoor adventure sports such as rock climbing, or biking (mountain or road). The best way to get there is by driving north from downtown Vancouver, crossing the Ironworkers bridge and once on the North shore follow the signs for Deep Cove.

Once you get into Deep Cove village head up hill toward Panorama Drive. Follow this main road until you see a gated dirt parking lot on your left hand side, which is the trail head. From here the trail begins with some deep, dark forest that’s beautiful any time of year. Be sure to bring a flashlight in case you get caught out on the trail after sunset; there are no lights out there.

Once you get out of the woods and into the clearing, you will come to Nancy Greene Park – Deep Cove’s main attraction. Here there is a great view of Indian Arm, colourful bluffs where many eagles nest, and even an old airplane landing strip that was once used for flying fish in from nearby Granville Island.

From Nancy Greene park, if you take the trail up the hill to your right it will lead out to a bunch of old mining equipment. Here there is lots of big boulders and rocks for climbing; both alone and as part of multi-pitch climbs. Back down at sea level there are many interconnecting trails that go in all directions, which is why this area makes for a great hike. After you’ve had your fill of exploring the park, take any one of the trails back down to Panorama Drive and make your way back to Deep Cove village.

7. Hanes Valley Trail – Grouse Mountain

Hanes Valley Trail is a popular hiking trail near Vancouver, BC. The trail leads up to Grouse Mountain passing through some forest, climbing steeply at times and offering wonderful views of surrounding mountains. Wildlife are often spotted along the way including birds, squirrels, rabbits or coyotes.

The trailhead to Hanes Valley Trail is located in a residential area of north Vancouver with nearby bus stops from where you can reach the trail. The trail starts by climbing steeply through some forest, and when it levels out after about 15 minutes it passes one of the main viewpoints along the trail. This viewpoint offers views of Vancouver’s downtown, Seymour Mountain and Grouse Mountain. It also offers a good view of Hanes Valley with its surrounding mountains like Mount Fromme, Nancy Greene Lake and others.

After this viewpoint the trail continues to climb up steeply at times, offering plenty of great views along the way. There are three more viewpoints, all about 10 minutes apart from each other. The last one offers a view of Grouse Mountain itself.

This trail is also popular with mountain bikers who often use it for biking down in summertime when there is little snow on Grouse Mountain. Though the Hanes Valley Trail is quite popular with hikers, it’s still a good idea to come early in the morning or later in the evening during summertime if you’re looking for more of a wilderness experience and want to avoid crowds.

The trail ends at Grouse Mountain where there are numerous activities to enjoy. You can ride the Grouse Mountain Skyride up, visit the grizzly bear sanctuary and even go zip lining (not free).

9. Deep Cove – Quarry Rock

Quarry rock is a gorgeous and popular hiking spot located in the Deep Cove area of North Vancouver. The hike itself is relatively easy, but be prepared for a couple steep sections and to climb over some large rocks.

The trail itself begins at the end of Panorama Drive, accessible from Lighthouse Road. When you drive up to the trailhead, you will see a small parking lot and the trail.

The first part of the trail is paved and relatively flat so it’s an excellent warm up for those who aren’t used to hiking. If you continue past this section you will reach a fork in the road with one path leading to Quarry Rock and another leading to Dog Mountain.

To get to Quarry Rock’s summit, you need to take the right path. As you hike up this section of the trail, there are a couple points that have look-out areas with benches where you can sit and enjoy the view back into Vancouver. This section is relatively steep, so if you’re not used to hiking you might want to prepare for a bit of work.

Once you reach the top, there are stairs that will take you up to the top of Quarry Rock where beautiful views of Indian Arm await you. At the very edge, you’ll find a little plaque telling what this rock used to be before it was cut down and

10. Pitt Lake – Porteau Cove Trail

Pitt Lake is located near Porteau Cove Provincial Park, which has trails for hiking and biking. It has the best views of any hike in BC, so you can’t miss it if you are in town!

The trail leads along Taylor Way, then follows a gravel road that leads to the Swift Creek Trail. Follow this trail for about 1 kilometre until you reach another junction. The left path will take you along the wooden boardwalk over Cheekeye Fan to Porteau Cove, while the right path will take you up to Oval Lake and down to Brentcliffe Road.

For the first kilometre, you will be surrounded by tall evergreens and a carpet of soft needles. The trail is well-defined and wide enough to allow two people to pass each other comfortably. As you hike higher, the trees thin out and the scenery becomes more breathtaking. You can expect to see squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and birds. If you are lucky, you might even see an eagle!

The boardwalk around Cheekeye Fan is a great place to rest, as it has many benches along the way. There is also a geocache hidden on the boardwalk that will lead you to the highest point in Brentcliffe Provincial Park.

Introduction

Hey Shroomfam!

Since Day 1, we’ve had a lot of love and support from all of you in Toronto – and we get a lot of emails with people (both locals and visitors) asking where we think the best hikes in Toronto are to enjoy a magic mushroom trip. Well, we decided to do an investigation. We consulted with senior psychonauts – magic mushroom experts from the city – and asked for their recommendations.

In our opinion, what makes for a great shroom hike are 4 things: location, length, natural beauty and privacy,

They told us, and we’re here to report to you – so without further adieu, here are our Top 10 Hikes for Magic Mushroom Lovers in Toronto!

The List

Rouge Park

is a great place to spend the day, hiking and enjoying nature. It’s located about half hour east of downtown Toronto, and there are several main entrances that lead up into the park itself. There are signs at each entrance showing you where to go next when hiking along different paths inside – however it can get confusing if you’re not paying attention! Some trails will end up leading to other ones without warning, so be sure to bring a map with you or have cell service so you can use Google Maps on your phone while exploring the area. That being said, once you find yourself deep within the forested areas of Rouge National Urban Park, getting lost is part of what makes it so fun!

The trails are all relatively short, easy to moderate hikes that take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours. There aren’t any strenuous areas or very difficult climbs – they’re mostly flat and follow along the main roads through parts of the park as well as over bridges crossing creeks and rivers. The scenery is beautiful in every season: make sure you go on a hike during spring when everything has started blooming again after winter’s dormancy, or visit Rouge Park Trails at fall time for some gorgeous foliage views (and maybe even catch an amazing view of Lake Ontario if you’re lucky). You’ll find plenty of quiet spots throughout your walk where it will almost feel like no one else exists but yourself and nature – perfect for a shroom trip!

Toronto Island

Toronto Island has several hiking trails suitable for all different levels of hikers and fitness abilities. The hikes vary from one hour to full days on the island, so it’s best to know what you’re up for before planning your visit.

The islands feature quiet areas with picnic tables or benches that can be used as a waypoint if you get lost (which is easy to do). The main trail around Centre Island runs through both forested paths and sand dunes along Lake Ontario shoreline making for fun variety throughout the hike! If any part of your route takes longer than anticipated there are public washrooms at either end of the island. To get to the island, take a ferry from the mainland at either Jack Layton Ferry Terminal or Hanlan’s Point Ferry Dock. There are several options of how you can travel, including bus and bicycle rentals on the island itself.

It’s helpful to research your route a little bit before setting out as different areas offer varying degrees of difficulty for hikers – both in distance and terrain type (sand vs forest paths). Some routes such as Gibraltar Point Beach Trail which is located near Centreville Amusement Park, require that all dogs remain leashed due to close proximity with other visitors so be sure to plan accordingly if you bringing furry friends along too!

Secluded spots on Toronto Island are definitely there for the adventurous. Beautiful clearings away form the trails and beaches await intrepid explorers – but we don’t want to spoil the fun by sharing all the details here, so we’ll let you discover it for yourself! 😉

Don Valley Trail

Don Valley Trail is a beautiful hiking trail located in Toronto, Ontario. It is part of the larger system known as ‘The Beltline Trail’ which has over 70 kilometres of trails for you to enjoy all around the city! You can find Don Valley Trail right by Finch subway station, or you could walk from Broadview Subway Station if that’s closer for you. The hike itself starts out at about 100 metres long and goes up to 500 metres making it really easy for everyone to go on whether they are younger kids enjoying their first hikes with parents or older people who want an easier but still fun experience.

There are stairs along some parts so keep this in mind when deciding what shoes would be best! Once walking through these buildings though there aren’t any more stairs, just beautiful trails with lots of trees and little squirrels you might want to feed! The trail will take about an hour to complete depending on how in shape or out of shape you are. You can stop in the middle for a break if needed since there are benches set up along the way too. There is also another great view at around kilometre marker two when looking towards downtown Toronto where all the tall buildings sit so it’s fun taking pictures here too!

If you are looking for a spot to have lunch or just take a break, there is also an area set up called the ‘Don Valley River Park’ which has picnic tables and playground equipment in case anyone wanted to bring their kids along. This park sits right on top of the river so it’s really fun going down little hills with huge jumps if one was brave enough! There’s also bridges made out of wood that sit over this part too where people can walk across and enjoy views from either side.

Bruce Trail

Bruce Trail is a scenic hiking trail that is perfect for hikers who want to explore the beauty of Ontario. This 500 kilometre long trail runs from Queenston Heights in Niagara Falls all the way up to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula at Lake Huron. In Toronto, it starts right along Highway 403 and ends after Dundas Peak escarpment through Peel Region near Orangeville . The full length of this hike takes about 12 days but if you are looking for a shorter trip there are plenty within 200 kilometres from downtown Toronto as well!

Hikes ranging between 20-40 kilometers can be done easily by people with different fitness levels, including children over 11 years old. Alongside these easy hikes there are also difficult ones where you will have to climb ladders and use ropes. The Toronto section of the Bruce Trail is full of beautiful scenery including cliffs, waterfalls, woodlands and wildlife such as beavers and deer. When you come across a quiet spot on the trail it’s easy to imagine yourself in another world far away from city noise!

Pine Point Trail

Pine Point Trail is located in Toronto at the Scarborough Bluffs . This trail is only about an hour drive from downtown and offers lots of scenic views. The hike itself is fairly easy with some steep trails, but it’s well worth it for the incredible view you’ll see up top! There are two lookout points that offer different views so make sure to do both hikes if possible. You can also continue past these for a longer walk if desired; there are no loops on this trail, however.

Pine Point Trail has become very popular recently as more people discover its beauty over time which means overcrowding during peak hours (weekends) especially in summertime when school gets out early enough. If you want to avoid crowds go earlier or later outside of these times which is possible even in the wintertime.

This trail can be done as long or short as desired by hikers with different fitness levels. It takes about 40 minutes for one loop around lookout points up top which are at each end of the trail , but there are also smaller lookouts that only take 20-30 minutes round trip from parking lot if preferred.. Scenery:  This hike offers incredible views along cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario. Wildlife such as deer and beavers are often spotted along the way.  Pine Point Trail is located right at Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto; there are lots of grassy fields and parking lot nearby to access trails. This trail offers beautiful views over Lake Ontario, cliffs overlooking water, woodlands with wildlife including beavers and deer as well as amazing rock formations throughout the hike itself .

Kortright Centre Trails

The Kortright Centre Trails are located in northern Ontario at the Kortright Centre for Conservation . There are more than 90 kilometers of trails offering a range of difficulty levels between easy and challenging. The best times to hike here would be spring until fall depending on weather conditions; winter is also doable but expect some frozen lakes and muddy ground.

Hikes ranging from 20-40 kilometres can be done easily by hikers with different fitness levels, including children over 11 years old although if not used to hiking it will take longer due to steepness in certain parts so plan accordingly. Alongside these easy hikes there are also difficult ones where you have climb ladders or use ropes which can make things interesting!

Some of the trails lead to great lookout points, like one that stands at more than 600 meters above sea level. A fantastic way to enjoy the view is by camping overnight up there, or enjoying a picnic on your hike back down (it’s not uncommon for some hikers to take longer than expected and return after dark). The scenery is beautiful and changes with the season; in spring there are vibrant blooms of wildflowers, in summer the trees provide a shade from which to appreciate them more deeply. In fall you will enjoy rich reds and oranges all around while winter offers snow-covered trails that feel like being on another planet!

Finding quiet spots can be difficult due to how busy this place gets but if you have time it’s worth exploring all possibilities until something works out. Once again depending on your fitness level getting lost happens so prepare accordingly by bringing a map or downloading one before going hiking here since cell reception isn’t always reliable. And don’t forget about bug spray for those humid days where mosquitoes seem extra hungry!

Guildwood Park Trails

Guildwood Park Trails is located right on the Scarborough Bluffs, which means its trails are absolutely stunning. The park’s many paths wind through trees and plant life, along creeks and ponds with wildlife to be seen all around you. Whether you want an invigorating hike or a quiet walk by the water, there is no wrong choice here! The trails themselves run from a couple of miles to half a dozen or more, and while they can be quite steep in some places there are plenty of flat sections as well. When you’re done exploring the park itself, head over to nearby Guildwood Village for food and drink afterwards!

Downsview Park Trails

Downsview Park Trails are located in Toronto, Ontario. There are four trails that vary from short and easy to long and strenuous. The longest of them is about 13km which takes roughly five hours with breaks. However if you take your time it will only be a couple of hours at most so they’re not very difficult either way! The shortest of the trails is only about five km long and takes around an hour to complete.

The scenery is great and the ponds are a lot of fun to see. There’s plenty of wildlife in the area too so sometimes you will hear animals or even spot them! Downsview Park has quiet areas for anyone who wants to get away from it all, be alone, relax with friends/family, or enjoy a little trip down shroomery lane with their friends!

There’s also some trails that go through this park, which is only about ten minutes down by car. It takes around an hour to complete but they’re not very difficult either way – just bring lots of water if it’s hot outside! These trails have similar views so don’t worry about missing out on anything when compared to the ones in Downsview Park itself.

Hilton Falls Trail

Hilton Falls Trail is a great place to go hiking in and around Toronto. It is located on the outskirts of town, within driving distance from Mississauga and Burlington. The hike itself can be done as an out-and-back (two cars needed) or with return transportation offered by Hilton Falls Conservation Area’s shuttle service .

The summit trail has two loops that can be combined into one longer loop, but both loops are worth hiking separately. On the east side of the summit trail is a small pond where you can often see turtles basking on logs or fish feeding in shallow water. The west side has great views looking down over Hilton Falls (one of several at this conservation area) and beyond to Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville.

Hiking into the gorge offers some great views of more waterfalls, but be careful as there are steep dropoffs on the edge of the trail. This part is best left to experienced hikers with good balance and sound judgement. The scenery along this hike changes constantly due to variations in elevation and proximity to different bodies of water at Hilton Falls Conservation Area.

Another great thing about this hike is that it rarely gets busy on the trails and finding spots for quiet reflection or enjoying a picnic lunch are easy to come by. The one downside of hiking here in autumn is that you may not be able to complete the whole trail as some sections can become inaccessible due to fallen leaves covering up parts of the

David Dunlap Observatory Hike

The Observatory was founded in 1935 by the University of Toronto as a centre for astronomical study. In its early years, it housed Canada’s largest telescope and also served as the headquarters for the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. In 1974, it became home to The David Dunlap Observatory telescope. There are a number of hikes available at this site but we opted for one that was approximately 35 minutes long with some steep parts so bring your hiking shoes! Just like all great things in life, the hike is easy enough if you start from certain spots on their property which makes it an ideal place for beginners wanting to take up hiking or who might be out-of-shape.

The hike begins with a little bit of an incline and then levels out for about 20 minutes before it goes up slightly again. It’s smooth going from there to the summit which offers great views of Toronto, including downtown skyscrapers in the distance, cottage country northwards along Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe. There are several small trails that branch off from the main one so keep your eyes peeled for those. We found a couple of secluded spots where we could eat our lunch and take in some sun.

The Observatory is open to public every day, including holidays year-round but hours vary depending on season. They offer guided tours which can be booked online or visitors are welcome to wander around the grounds on their own. Admission is free but a donation of $15/adult and $12/senior or student, as well as a suggested donation of $20 for groups larger than 20 people are appreciated.

Final Thoughts

There are so many beautiful natural hikes around Toronto for you and your loved ones to explore on a shroom trip! We couldn’t possibly list them all in one article. Did we get your favourite hike in here? Do you have others to recommend? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!