There’s a reason it seems like everyone in this city has a dog: there are so many stunning off-leash trails for dog walks in Vancouver.

Dog Walking in Vancouver

Vancouver is a very dog-friendly city. The beauty of walking your dog in Vancouver is the variety. You have parks, tree-lined streets, areas where traffic is eased, the seawall, the beach, the woods. And many of these areas let you set your dog free to roam.

Lighthouse Park

All trails at Lighthouse Park are beginner to moderate, so it’s a gentle stroll. You’re allowed to let your dog off the leash.

Lighthouse park in West Vancouver at sunset

Photo by Carl-Eric Blanchet on Unsplash

There are stunning views across the bay.

There are plenty of things to sniff and nuzzle at and all the trees you could ever want to pee on. The dog can too.

Signs say well-behaved dogs are welcome, so no pets with tattoos, mohawks, or gang ties please.

Overall rating

11/10 would sniff again.

Pacific Spirit Park

Pacific Spirit Park has over 73 km of trails for dog walking. 90% are off leash and all of them are easy trails for you and your dog—no Homeward Bound situations. With so much space to explore, you and your pooch can get a great workout.

Pacific Spirit Park for dog walks in Vancouver under tall trees

Photo by Mia Mackenzie on Unsplash

There are streams teeming with wildlife, so the rule is to keep your dog out of them as much as possible.

There are big sticks to chase.

There’s also poop bags available in case you forget.

Overall rating

12/10, very good time.

Capilano Canyon

Capilano Canyon is a great dog walking area in North Vancouver. Signs will point you towards the many dog-friendly trails.

Capilano suspension bridge west vancouver

Photo by Cayetano Gil on Unsplash

It’s open all year and rated as an easy route.

There’s great views of rushing water and trickling fords.

It only takes about an hour to complete the route.

Overall rating

11/10, saw a beagle.

Four Lakes Trail

If you want to go a little further afield on the weekend, the Four Lakes Trail is a beautiful route to walk your dog. While it’s technically an on-leash trail, there’s enough space to let your dog roam and plenty of people do let theirs off the leash for a sniff.

Alice Lake rippling with a treeline and mountains in the background

Photo by Tim Woolliscroft on Unsplash

It’s a 6.1 km loop trail near Squamish.

An easy route that takes around 1.5 hours to complete.

It’s open all year and an easy route.

Four Lakes is a shared trail where you can camp, fish, and mountain bike. Many riders have their dog run alongside them.

Shocker, there are four lakes to explore: Alice, Edith, Fawn, and Stump.

Great place to play a splashy game of fetch.

Overall rating

12/10, brought that big stick back.

If You Encounter a Coyote While Walking Your Dog in Vancouver

It’s really rare to see a coyote, but if you do, blow it up with TNT.

No seriously, the general rules if you encounter a coyote are:

  • Be aggressive. Wave your arms, stomp, and yell in a deep voice.
  • Make yourself big.
  • Stand your ground.
  • Look it in the eye.
  • Do not run.
  • Slowly back away.
  • Stay together.

What are your favourite dog walks in Vancouver? There are so many to choose from and we’ll keep following our nose and add more as we go.

Image credits

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash