Cypress Falls Trail

Cypress Falls Park is a quick adventure away from Vancouver, only about 30 minutes for you and your canine companion, and features a reasonably short yet highly rewarding hike. At just 3 kilometers, this out-and-back trail includes two main waterfalls, 200-year-old red cedar and Douglas fir, one car wreck, and plenty of blue pools and fern rock walls.

You will be able to guide yourself on this trail by watching for the orange markers along the way. When you come to the railed wooden bridge, you will want to stay on the side you are on to make your way to the upper falls. If you choose to cross the bridge, you can explore the old-growth forest on the other side. Continuing along, you'll be rewarded with different views down into the canyon and of the blue water below. You will meet a chain-link fence with a large warning sign as you are about reach the upper falls for a hike time of about 30 minutes. The sign (pictured in the slideshow) warns you that you are leaving park boundaries and to use at your own risk. Read the warnings and assess for yourself. Trail conditions are about the same past this point; continue to exercise caution at the edges, which drop off steeply throughout the park and should not be stood on.

Explore the upper falls for a second look to see the car wreck. Stand with the waterfall in line of sight and look to your left for more orange markers. Continue to make your way ahead to the right and slightly up for just a few minutes until you reach a road. At the road, head up to the right until you see the blue posts (pictured in the slideshow). Head down, and a second view awaits you!

Take your time and enjoy meandering through this old-growth forest along a dazzling creek. Plenty of little surprises await you if you look around on this rugged trail. To get back to the trailhead, go back exactly the way you came.

This trail is low in elevation, which keeps it from being covered in snow during the winter. This should generally make it accessible all year, but conditions can still be very hazardous in freezing weather. Other features of this park include tennis courts and a playing field by the parking area. Even though this park feels like a residential area, it is still very much a wilderness area, and large animal encounters could be possible, such as bears.