• Difficulty Easy
  • Time 1.25 hours
  • Round-Trip 3km
  • Elevation Gain 150 meters
  • Season July - October
  • Camping No
  • From Vancouver 50 minutes
  • Public Transit No
  • Dog Friendly On-Leash

Located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, Mystery Lake is a scenic lake that is only a short distance from the parking lot and a great place for a swim on a hot summer day. While the hike is relatively easy due to its short distance, the trail does ascend about 150 meters and over tree roots and loose rocks. The lake is a popular spot in the summer months for families to hike to and spend time, picnicing with kids near the waters edge.

From the Mount Seymour parking lot, walk to the far end to where the wooden map board is located. After checking the map, walk towards the ski lift where a wooden post with a green sign points in the direction to Mystery Lake to the right of the wide gravel trail.

Follow the trail as it climbs almost immediately through the low mountain brush. The trail weaves back and forth slightly until it eventually reaches a small pond to the right. Walk over the wooden boardwalks and continue up the the dirt trail, passing an open section before entering the forest again.

Within minutes, you reach the edge of the Mystery Lake. It's worth noting that the trail continues to the right and eventually joins with the Mount Seymour trail. However, there are also paths to the left that wrap around most of the lake, so look for a spot to rest to enjoy your time at the lake. It's also a great lake for a swim during the summer months.

After enjoying Mystery Lake, return to the trail where you arrived at the lake and begin hiking back downhill. Be careful as you step over the slippery tree roots and loose rocks, making your way past the small pond, and eventually back to the parking lot at Mount Seymour.





How to get to Mystery Lake

Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
50 minutes

Mystery Lake is located at Mount Seymour in North Vancouver. From Vancouver, drive east to Highway #1 and merge onto the highway at one of the entrances, heading westbound. Cross the Second Narrows Bridge and take Exit 22B for Mount Seymour Parkway. After exiting, turn right before the traffic lights onto Mount Seymour Parkway and continue driving eastbound.

Continue driving along Mount Seymour Parkway for about 10-minutes until you reach a shopping mall on your left. At the traffic lights, turn left onto Mount Seymour Road and follow this road as it veers left slightly and then wraps around to the right and begins to climb up the mountain. The road zigzags back and forth as it climbs steeply. Eventually, you will reach the parking lot at the top. Continue driving through the parking lot and park as far along the parking lot as you can. The trail begins at the far end of the parking lot next to the wooden sign board with a map of the park.

View a map of Driving directions to Mystery Lake.

Traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) and šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam).
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Additional Info

Camping at Mystery Lake

Camping is not permitted at Mystery Lake.

Dogs at Mystery Lake

Dogs are allowed on the trail to Mystery Lake but must be on a leash at all times in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Please ensure to pickup after your dog.

Toilets at Mystery Lake

Toilets are located in the buildings next to the parking lot area at the start of the hike. There are no toilets located along the trail or at the lake.

Dogs, Toilets and Camping

Although we try to keep information as current as possible, www.vancouvertrails.com makes no warranty or representation as to the availability, quality, fitness for purpose, conditions or accuracy of the information provided with respect to this trail or trails. The information provided herein is further subject to our Terms of Use.