Your Complete Hiking Trail Guide to Bowen Island

🥾 Hiking Bowen Island: A Wild and Wonderful West Coast Escape

Just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, Bowen Island is a lush, mountainous oasis where mossy forests, rocky bluffs, and sweeping ocean vistas beckon adventurous souls. While the island is beloved for its artsy charm and laid-back pace, it’s the network of hiking trails that truly captures the heart of explorers. Whether you're chasing summit views or strolling through serene lakeside paths, Bowen offers hikes for every type of wanderer.

Here’s your ultimate trail guide to hiking Bowen Island, with detailed insights into its top routes. Lace up those boots—your next island adventure starts here.

⛰️ Mount Gardner – The Island's Iconic Summit Climb

Mount Gardner is Bowen Island’s highest point at 727 meters (2,385 ft), and it's a rite of passage for serious hikers. With multiple trailheads leading to the summit, this roughly 6–7 hour round-trip hike is a rewarding challenge.

From the get-go, the trail leads you deep into the temperate rainforest, where sword ferns brush your boots and tall cedars whisper in the breeze. As you ascend, the trail becomes rockier and steeper, culminating at a summit dotted with radio towers. But here’s the secret: climb the wooden viewing platform next to the towers for a jaw-dropping 360-degree view over Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast, and the Vancouver skyline shimmering in the distance.

What makes it special: This is the trail for those who want to earn their views. It’s Bowen’s most demanding hike—but also its most iconic.

Local Tip: Start early and pack a lunch. The summit is the perfect place for a scenic picnic (and a well-earned rest).

Trail Details:

• Trail Type: Out and back or loop via alternate routes
• Length: ~10–17 km depending on route
• Elevation Gain: ~700 m
• Duration: 6–7 hours
• Difficulty: Hard
• Starting Point: Multiple (access via Hiker’s Road or Bluewater area)

🌲 Killarney Lake Loop – A Gentle Forest Walk

Located in Crippen Regional Park, the Killarney Lake Trail is the epitome of a peaceful nature stroll. The trail forms a 4 km loop around the lake, where reflections of evergreens shimmer in the still water, and bird calls echo through the forest canopy.

In spring, bright yellow skunk cabbage blooms along the boardwalk. In autumn, the maples and alders transform the trail into a painter’s palette of fiery reds and golds. The mostly flat terrain and well-maintained paths make this trail ideal for families, kids, and beginner hikers.

What makes it special: A serene lakeside loop that offers seasonal beauty and a meditative forest experience.

Local Tip: Bring binoculars—this is a great spot for birdwatching, especially in the early morning.

Trail Details:

• Trail Type: Loop
• Length: 4 km
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Crippen Regional Park, near Snug Cove

🌊 Dorman Point – A Short Climb to Coastal Views

Only have an hour or so? Dorman Point is the perfect short-and-sweet hike that rewards minimal effort with maximum scenery. Starting right near the Snug Cove ferry terminal, the trail climbs gently for about 1.2 km through a quiet forest before reaching a rocky bluff.

From the top, you’re treated to striking views across Howe Sound, with ferries slicing through the water and the mainland mountains rising behind. It’s a peaceful perch—ideal for a quick escape if you’re island-hopping or just visiting for the day.

What makes it special: Fast, easy access to one of the best viewpoints on the island.

Local Tip: Catch sunset here if you’re taking an evening ferry back—golden hour over the water is magical.

Trail Details:

• Trail Type: Out and back
• Length: ~2.5 km round trip
• Elevation Gain: ~100 m
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Starting Point: Snug Cove, near the ferry terminal

🌅 Cape Roger Curtis – Sunset on the Wild Coast

At the island’s southwestern tip lies Cape Roger Curtis, a lesser-known gem with a raw, untamed feel. Here, you’ll find coastal trails winding through salal, arbutus, and moss-covered rocks, with dramatic ocean cliffs that feel worlds away from the bustle of the ferry landing.

The sunsets here are absolutely next level, casting fiery hues across the sky as waves crash below. The lighthouse is a quiet sentinel, offering a photogenic focal point for your hike. These trails are mostly flat and easy but can feel remote—perfect for solitude seekers.

What makes it special: Oceanfront hikes with soul-stirring sunset views and an end-of-the-world atmosphere.

Local Tip: Bring a flashlight if you're staying past sundown—there’s little light pollution out here (which also makes for excellent stargazing).

Trail Details:

• Trail Type: Out and back or short loops
• Length: Varies (~3–5 km)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Duration: 1–2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Starting Point: Cape Roger Curtis Road (vehicle or bike access recommended)

🌄 Apodaca Lookout – A Hidden Clifftop Vista

Apodaca Park itself is only accessible by water, but adventurous hikers can reach a lookout point above it via forest trails from the north side of the island. The trail isn’t as well-marked as others, and the hike is a bit more rugged, but those who find their way are rewarded with sweeping views across the marine park and down to the rocky shores below.

The Handloge Trail network nearby also offers more rugged forest exploration for those craving solitude and wilderness.

What makes it special: A quiet, off-the-beaten-path reward for intrepid hikers.

Local Tip: Ask for a Bowen Island trail map at the Visitor Centre—it’s essential for navigating this part of the island.

Trail Details:

• Trail Type: Out and back
• Length: ~5 km
• Elevation Gain: ~200 m
• Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Starting Point: North side trailheads (Handloge area)

🌿 Trail's End: Where Bowen Island's Paths Lead the Soul

Hiking on Bowen Island is more than just a walk in the woods—it’s a journey through old-growth forests, sun-drenched bluffs, and island legends. Whether you're summiting Mount Gardner or just taking a sunset stroll at Cape Roger Curtis, each trail offers a slice of the island’s wild magic. So next time you're near Vancouver, skip the city crowds and find your path on Bowen.