Archie MontroseWe HATE hiking. Every time we hit a new trail, our legs turn to jelly, and we sweat enough to fill a small pond. Oh, and before we know it, We’ve hiked miles that could impress a seasoned mountaineer!
Yeah, that’s the manifestation of hate right there. But jokes aside, we’re actually Vancouver’s biggest hiking enthusiast (that’s probably not true). And we also have the city’s most dedicated hiking crew in our circle (also probably not true).
Still, we know Vancouver’s trails like the back of our hand. Today, we’ll show you how to conquer St. Mark’s Summit, one of the most breathtaking spots around. Here’s your ultimate guide for 2024!
- Best Time to Go to St. Mark's Summit
- Things to Know about St. Mark's Summit
- How high is St Mark's Summit Vancouver?
- Getting to the Trailhead
- How to Get to St. Mark's Summit
- Where to Stay near St. Mark's Summit
- Where to Eat near St. Mark's Summit
- What to Do in St. Mark's Summit
- Apps to Download for a Trip to St. Mark's Summit
Best Time to Go to St. Mark’s Summit
The best time to go to St. Mark’s Summit is late spring (May) or early summer (June), as well as late summer (August) and early fall (September) as this is when St. Mark’s is not blanketed with snow.
For the quietest experience, consider planning your trek in June or October/early November when the trails are less crowded.
Things to Know about St. Mark’s Summit
Difficulty
St. Mark’s Summit is a moderately difficult hike with a 10.5 kilometer distance and a 580m elevation gain. It’s not too difficult, but it’s not a walk in the park either.
While it starts off nice and easy as you’ll walk along well-maintained gravel paths, the trail will soon turn challenging. There will be muddy sections, slippery rocks, and tree roots along the way.
If you’re hiking in spring or early summer, be prepared for plenty of mud due to snowmelt and heavy foot traffic, often turning the trail into a bit of a swamp well into the summer months.
Despite the challenges, the hike itself is technically straightforward. The trail is well-marked and you’ll mostly be trekking through dense forest, with no exposure to anything more than a steep uphill climb towards the last section of the hike.
Parking
Cypress Mountain Resort offers free parking in its spacious lots, but do note that the gates close at sunset and reopen at sunrise.
While there’s ample parking available, it can fill up quickly, especially on pleasant days. To secure a spot, it’s best to start your day early.
Hike Statistics
St. Mark’s Summit is a moderately challenging hike, with a highest elevation of 1,371m. The time needed to reach the summit depends on your pace.
If you’re a more ‘take your time’ kinda hiker, the hike can take around 4.5 to 6 hours. While a much faster pace will only take around 3.5 hours. Dogs are allowed on this trail. However, make sure to practice picking up after your furry friend!
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 10.5Km |
| Elevation Gain | 580m |
| Highest Elevation | 1,371m |
| Average Gradient | 11.04% |
| Time Needed | Slow: 4.5 – 6 Hours Moderate: 3.5 – 4.5 Hours Fast: 2.5 – 3.5 Hours |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes |
| Season | Year-Round (Summer Preferred) |
| 4×4 / High Clearance Required? | No |
How high is St Mark’s Summit Vancouver?
St. Mark’s Summit, nestled in Cypress Provincial Park near Vancouver, offers stunning panoramic views of Howe Sound and surrounding mountains.
Popular for its moderate difficulty level and accessibility, it serves as a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts, locals, and tourists seeking a rewarding hiking experience.
St. Mark’s Summit, standing at 1,371 meters (4,498 feet) above sea level, is a prominent peak within the Pacific Ranges of Canada. With a prominence of 174 meters (571 feet).
Getting to the Trailhead
For starters, St.Mark’s Summit is a part of the Howe Sound Crest Trail and it starts from Cypress Mountain.
Coming from the Cypress Mountain downhill parking lot, walk towards the nearby Lions Express chairlift and try to search for the “Howe Sound Crest trail” sign.
Get on this trail uphill until the trail merges onto a bigger ski run. At this point, stay on the left until you reach a large green water tower.
But you don’t go straight to the tower, instead, go right and walk uphill through the trees. Once you reach a gravel road, go left and keep on going until the road narrows and becomes a trail.
Now that you’re at the Howe Sound Crest Trail, this route will take you to St. Mark’s Summit.
How to Get to St. Mark’s Summit
From Vancouver, head north over the Lions Gate Bridge. Follow signs along Marine Drive and Taylor Way to access Highway 1 westbound.
Take Exit 8 onto Cypress Bowl Road and follow it up the mountain until you reach the Cypress Creek Lodge. Ample parking is available in the spacious lot.
Where to Stay near St. Mark’s Summit
Horseshoe Bay Motel
Address: 6588 Royal Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2B6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-913-6588
Pricing: $
This motel offers a nostalgic experience with its vintage decor and retro furnishings while providing modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs in every room.
You’ll get great value for your money with rooms featuring views of the village, mountains, and ocean, plus free self-parking. It’s conveniently located just minutes from restaurants, parks, galleries, and adjacent to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Address: 1748 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3B4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-337-8393
Pricing: $
The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on Capilano Road is a well-maintained older hotel, ideal for budget-conscious travelers. They offer free basic breakfast, which includes juice, coffee, and packaged muffins.
You can enjoy free parking, breakfast, coffee, and a charming courtyard. The rooms are decent, and its convenient location provides easy access to St. Mark’s Summit.
Capilano River RV Park
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Address: 295 Tomahawk Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7P 1C5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-987-4722
Pricing: $
Capilano River RV Park boasts an excellent location near the ocean and river, close to downtown, beaches, Stanley Park, and Eagle Bluffs. It may not be a high-end hotel, but it offers a distinctive camping experience with stunning natural scenery.
The park includes 205 premium sites, with options for tents. Each site is bordered by well-kept lawns and comes equipped with a picnic table.
SureStay by Best Western
Address: 1634 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3B4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-987-8185
Pricing: $$
SureStay by Best Western offers simple rooms, but it’s ideally located for those driving to downtown Vancouver or taking the Horseshoe Bay Ferries.
Plus, each room has its own door to the outside, and there’s a restaurant right on the premises. Two convenience stores within walking distance, a few restaurants and pizza places are nearby. We had everything we needed within a few minute walk.
Where to Eat near St. Mark’s Summit
Olive & Anchor
Address: 6418 Bay St, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2H1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-921-8848
Pricing: $$
Overlooking the waters of Horseshoe Bay, Olive & Anchor offers a great mix of global pub fare and draft beer in a traditional tavern setting with outdoor seating.
Excellent place to go!
We highly recommend trying the Australian Lamb Shank, Ebi mayo, Oyster Tempura Burger & Fries, and the Brandy-raisin Bread Pudding!
JJ’s Kitchen
Address: 5775 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2S1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-4523
Pricing: $$
Tucked away in West Vancouver’s Eagle Harbour, JJ’s Kitchen is a hidden gem. They host live music on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The Seafood Linguine and Truffled Spaghetti & Meatball pastas are excellent and reasonably priced for the quality. The interior is beautifully decorated, and their “Lambourgini” Coffee is a must-try!
The Beach House Restaurant
Address: 150 25th St, West Vancouver, BC V7V 4H8, Canada
Phone: +1 604-922-1414
Pricing: $$
Located in Dundarave, West Vancouver, The Beach House serves up West Coast cuisine, including seafood, steaks, and regional wines, with a patio offering stunning views of Howe Sound.
Happy hour specials add a fun touch to your visit. The calamari was delicious, the wine was divine, and half-off bottles on Wednesdays made the experience even better.
Salmon House On The Hill
Address: 2229 Folkestone Way, West Vancouver, BC V7S 2Y6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-3212
Pricing: $$
Perched like an eagle overlooking downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park, Salmon House On The Hill is known as ‘Vancouver’s Original Seafood Grill Restaurant.’
Some standout items were the in-house candied salmon, the crab salsa, the butter for lobster, and the sauce for the oysters. The view is unbeatable, too.
Cindy’s
Address: 1850 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-925-2880
Pricing: $$
Cindy’s is a quaint neighborhood café, offering hearty breakfast and lunch in charming surroundings. It’s one of those hidden gems you might miss unless you’re in the know.
The food here is exceptional, especially the waffles, pancakes, and egg bennies. Our top picks were the fancy benny with salmon and the Belgian waffles. And the prices are quite reasonable for both lunch and breakfast.
What to Do in St. Mark’s Summit
Appreciate the Views
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Address: West Vancouver, BC V0N 1G0, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-5612
Although it takes around 1 hour and 20 mins to get to the top of St. Mark’s Summit, it’s well worth the hike as you’re treated with incredible views of Bowen Island, Sunshine Coast, the Sea-to-Sky highway and other nearby islands!
St. Marks Summit stands as one of the captivating viewpoints along the Howe Sound Crest Trail. It also serves as a midway point for hikers venturing towards the even more breathtaking Unnecessary Mountain or the iconic Lions.
Watch the Boats and Ferries in the Strait
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Address: West Vancouver, BC V0N 1G0, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-5612
Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Howe Sound. But, there’s also something else to watch out for: the boats and ferries passing through the Strait of Georgia below.
The contrast between the natural beauty of the mountains and the man-made vessels on the water creates a unique and captivating scene. It’s a great way to appreciate the intersection of nature and human activity in this picturesque setting.
Take a Detour to the Bowen Lookout
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Address: West Vancouver, BC V0N 1G0, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-5612
Nestled near the Cypress Mountain ski area, Bowen Lookout offers an awe-inspiring vista of Howe Sound, stretching towards Bowen Island. For those hiking to St. Mark’s Summit, consider a detour here, preferably at the start of your trek.
The panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands from Bowen Lookout are truly breathtaking, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Get Ready to Encounter Wildlife
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Address: West Vancouver, BC V0N 1G0, Canada
Phone: +1 604-926-5612
While on your hike to St. Mark’s Summit, keep an eye out for the local wildlife. We had a delightful encounter with a chipmunk scampering onto our legs and a stunning Blue Jay landing just a few feet away, making for an unforgettable experience!
Apps to Download for a Trip to St. Mark’s Summit
AllTrails: custom route planning app with fitness activity tracker and reviews from fellow hikers to help you plan your outdoor adventures.
Gaia GPS: paid hiking navigation app, road trip planner, and backcountry navigator
Relive.cc: a free tracking app that records a video of your route and waypoints, as well as showing the elevation profile and stats.
Maps.me: detailed, offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation for driving, hiking, or biking to a selected location.
