the grouse grind

As others have said this hike is challenging and can be quite difficult especially if you are not the fittest. Though the hike is long, tiresome and challenging it is rewarding and pleasing to say you conquered it. The hike is divided into quarters which are based on altitude of the hill not by the length which is misleading on how far you are on the trail. My friend and I took around two and a half hours to complete it. We are not the fittest people and we did not do any training in advance. Recommendations would be to pace yourself. It is not a race, you will get to the top when you want to or you do. We took lots of breaks even at the beginning. Things to bring: lots of water, snacks, hiking shoes or good runners, a backpack and a change of clothes- you will get really sweaty. At the top of the top there is an awesome view, a restaurant and souvenir shops. There is a trolley that will bring you down to the bottom. It is recommended that you don't go back down the trail. For more information and details here is the website https://www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind

BE PREPARED for this walk. This is no walk in park or stroll along the seawall. It is a vertical workout. Make sure you wear appropriate shoes, take lots of water and snacks. This hike attracts serious climbers and can be very very busy at certain times of the year. I enjoying doing this hike and rewarding myself at the top with a burger and beer. For the sight seers there is a lot to see at the top, trails to walk, things to do. Remember if you do not have a yearly pass you will need to pay to get down. I highly recommend you try this.

First off, you need to prepare for this experience. This is not a walk in the park on a Sunday afternoon. This is a hike. A long, steep one with many, many stairs. Let's start with a list of do's and don'ts. Do bring water, lots of water and a snack Don't wear flip flops, keds, or some other stupid shoe not appropriate for CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN. Do wear a good pair of running shoes or hiking boots. (I personally wear a pair of trail runners) Don't walk in the middle of the trail, blocking the faster, fitter people charging up behind you Do be courteous and move to the side Do carry your garbage out with youYou get the idea. It's a challenging, but rewarding experience. Be sure to bring some extra money for the trip down on the gondola and to buy an "I survived the Grind" t-shirt in the gift shop. You don't have to be in awesome shape to try it, but if you're not leave lots of time. When my family does it we have times all across the map. My husband and son do it in about 48 mins. My daughters do it in around an hour fifteen and I bring up the rear at about an hour and 45 mins. A couple of tips, bring a really strong bug spray. The Mosquitos lick off the milder stuff. And bar prepared to take a long time on the first 1/4. The first quarter can easily take me 40 mins which can lead you to believe you'll be there forever. It's not measured in distance between the markers, it's measured in altitude. Therefore, the first 1/4 takes the longest because it's the least steep. I find the first and the third quarters to suck the worst. The second quarter and the last quarter are my favourite parts. Your mileage may vary. If you time your climb well there is a lot of stuff to do at the top. I'm always too sweaty and exhausted, but I want to go to the lumberjack show some time. Have fun!

It's a tough workout, but there's definitely satisfaction in making it to the top. For that reason, I keep going back and curse under my breath each time that I subject myself to the steep hike up the mountain. I don't find the process fun, but I like the challenge. Definitely a great workout. Dress appropriately, bring water and snacks and don't look back. As for views, It's a tree filled mountain. I'm ok with it, I like it, but keep in mind that I live in a concrete jungle in America's Midwest, so I may be easily impressed when it comes to nature. There's really no place to stop to enjoy the view anyhow as it's more of an outdoor stair master, so if you're looking for a relaxing hike, go elsewhere. Locals have suggested other mountains (Seymour), but I actually prefer Grouse for both workout and view.

A great, challenging hike. Very tough but not that long. Make sure you bring water, snacks, and wear appropriate clothes and footwear! It's a tough trail and you need good sneakers or hiking boots.

What a great workout! With a nice view at the top too. The trail starts a little east of the bottom of the gondola and heads up to the top of the gondola... very steeply. I had fun tracking my time and then comparing it to the online statisics when I was done. Note that traffic is one-way only, you have to take the gondola (or another trail) back down, but the gondola ride afterwards added to the fun. I wish Seattle had something like this!

2.9 km's straight up the side of Grouse Mountain - Rewarded by the best view of the Prettiest City in Canada - hey - North America. The Grind attracts thousands every year and our Saturday was typical - a steady stream of hikers climbing their way to the top. All ages, all skill levels - this is a challenging climb but with plenty of areas to stop and grab a breathe it can be done by just about everyone. Located in North Vancouver across the Lions Gate bridge and straight up Capilano Rd - the drive itself is a breathtaker and the Capilano Dam and Fish Hatchery are worth a stop as well. The parking area at Grouse is large and cheap and adjacent to the Grind. Well sheltered - light clothes, good shoes and plenty of water are all you need. The Trail starts out wide and relatively flat and you are sheltered by trees all the way up and the first 1/4 is the longest. As the trail steepens and winds it's way through the canopy of trees with the sunlight filtering through - you have plenty of cause to stop and drink it all in. It is amazingly peaceful considering the amount of people tramping by. As you near the top the trail becomes steeper, the burn a little deeper and you can just glimpse the blue sky on the horizon. The top of Grouse Mountain is unique unto itself - plenty of areas to explore, nice chalet with food and drink and observation area - but it's the Gondola ride down that completes the experience. You can see forever and it's a view you will remember forever. It's all laid out for you - from Mount Baker in Washington State to the east to Vancouver Island in the west to Tsawwassen in the south. Vancouver dazzles from above witth Stanley Park and English Bay and Burrard Inlet with it's fleet of freighters and seaplanes coming and going. The beach at Kits, the Science Centre, False Creek - you see it all. The Lower Mainland is home to many..many beautiful places to hike, bike and just chill but the Grouse Grind is a unique experience unto itself and well worth the time to make the climb. As always I shot video of the climb @ http://youtu.be/HX1WZCbudnkLocation ay Googlemap @ www.yolotraveller.com

Extremely difficult. You'll definitely have to be in decent shape to get to the top hiking. You can opt to take the gondola up. Great views when youre at the top

I am in fairly good shape and finally decided to tackle the Grouse Grind. My sister moved to BC 8 years ago and every year I visited, I never took the opportunity to climb this mountain. Even when I wasn't in great shape, I should have done it! I wish I did climb it every year to see my progress. This mountain is a challenge but there are stairs to help you through the steep areas. There are benches to take breaks if needed. Take water with you but don't wear heavy clothing. I ended up taking off my rain jacket and my hoodie and carried them all the way up. At the top you can grab a coffee, buy your grouse grind t-shirt and visit the grizzles. Heck, have a beer like I did. Don't hesitate, just go do it! It will make you feel good!

Great local fitness experience!! Do not underestimate this - once you are into it, there is basically no way out except to complete it or turn back. Read the warning signs and pay attention to the warnings. This reminds me of racing up the fire stairwells in tall office buildings, but much longer. Given that you are outside also greatly improves the experience and fun factor. Lots of gnarly, irregular, rocky, uneven steps - you must wear decent sturdy shoes. One disappointment is that there is essentially no view - you are in tall trees, staring at the steep rocky grade in front of you. But you are usually sweating so much and puffing so hard that you don't much care about the view. I would not recommend this for young children (under age about 6-8 Years) or anyone with health issues (e.g. heart, lung, or arthritic knees. If you get into trouble, it is hard to get help to you. Having said all that, it is a great way to test your fitness level against other posted times - still not sure how some of these times are even possible. I love it, my wife hates it. At the top, enjoy spectacular views - hence best to choose clear visibility days. Very nice to have a spare tee shirt (or more) to change into at the top. Bring some money along for refreshments and food and the ride down in the gondola - unless you are super fit and you want to walk/run back down - which is even harder and more dangerous when you are so thrashed from the trip up. If you fall it will likely be bad . Great fun, but do not underestimate this experience!!

Having heard about the Grouse Grind....I encouraged my friend to accompany me when I was in Vancouver to visit. At the last minute, her 10 year old twins decided they would join us. It is a long way up...and we didn't come close to setting any speed records! The boys were always way ahead of us and we were passed by everyone from women with babies, and 75 year old men with knee replacements to young athletic types.....but "slow and steady wins the race" and we completed it in just over 2 hours. I hike quite a bit, but have slacked a little since having surgery. It wasn't as difficult as Bright Angel in the Grand Canyon or as scary as Angels Landing in Zion....but definitely a hike you can be proud of in the end.

You have to do this if you have an excessive exercise habit. THis is how to measure how fit you are. WARNING- pace yourself for a better time, don't burn out too soon, it gets worse, steeper. Lots of places to reward yourself up top.

I'm always up for a challenge but sometimes creaky knees and bad ankles tell me not to. This is one super steep hike and very tough. I do a fair amount of hiking, and this was insane! If you like a challenge I say go for it, but I will try the more gradual trail that forks off at the bottom as my way to the top next time. Only made it a 1/4 way up before the knees and ankles told me to head back down. This was yesterday and my legs are still super tight today. I heard the view at the top is great. However, on the way up there is not much to see.No fees to climb it, but paid parking is in effect.

Such a touch hike but what an amazing experience! Saw people of all ages and abilities hiking up with vigor, great sense of camaraderie on the way.The steps are uneven and some are natural - so can be slippery / hard-going!At the top, lots of services and anxieties and a nice cable car ride down.

When I first did the Grind two years ago my friends just told me it was a hike, but honestly it's not a hike, it's just stairs. Lots and lots and LOTS of stairs up a mountain. There's no break in the trail from the stairs, it's just up and up and up! The first time I did it I was unprepared for the climb, but the second time I knew what I was getting into and definitely enjoyed it more. I brought more water and and iPod and before I knew it I was at the top! It's definitely gruelling but worth it for the gorgeous views! It's also a good prep hike for other more advanced mountain hikes in the area. I would recommend it to anyone at any fitness level honestly, I've seen football players hack it along with the beergutted, you just gotta take it at your own pace and know what your getting into. Good luck!