Norvan Falls Loop

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This is a beautiful example of west coast terrain. The route outlined here minimizes the out and back to about 2 miles, and includes a number of beautiful singletrack trails. There are multiple options to add distance, or alternate starting points that will shorten the hike.

The End of the Line General Store is the best place to start and finish this hike. More parking than at the headwaters, great trail snacks and coffees, and gives you a couple of extra miles of trail. Varley trail, in particular, is a great warm up.

The route shown here begins and ends at the End of the Line General store. This location is excellent as it is at the intersection of a number of popular trails and has ample street parking. Alternate starts closer to the Falls are possible (up to a mile) but parking is generally difficult, and you miss the Varley Trail warmup.

Start your hike at the map across the street which shows the Upper and Lower Lynn Trails. From here start North along the side of the road, descending down the gravel path to the right after about 250m. Don't follow the road to Lynn Valley Headwaters, as you'll miss Varley Trail. At the bottom of the gravel hill there is a pipeline bridge, don't cross it, instead veer left and look for the signs for Varley Trail.

Varley Trail is a nice warm up, about a mile long, coming out at the final headwaters parking lot. At the Headwaters cross the bridge and head up the gravel path towards the Falls. The route is well marked. There is about a mile and a half (2.5 km) of wide gravel path with lots of hikers and dog walkers. At the 2.5 km mark the trail narrows and singletrack with roots, rocks and stream crossings is the order of the day. Another mile and a half (2 -2.5 km) takes you to the Debris Slope. Up the slope and to the left you'll find the final sign for the Falls. Another 2 miles (3km) of hard climbing on singletrack will bring you to the Falls.

Right before the Falls is a suspension bridge which takes you to Hanes Valley. Don't take the bridge, remain on the south side of the creek, and head up about 500 feet (200m) to find the Falls. The trip to this point is generally between 40-60 minutes and an hour, depending on your speed and weather conditions.

The return follows the same route to the Debris slope, however as it is all downhill it will feel very different! At the debris, slope take a hard left, rather than returning by the previous loop and join the Lynn Headwaters Trail. The trail will climb up for about 2 miles (3 km) and is somewhat treacherous if there has been a lot of rain. At about the 9 mile (15km) mark, you'll see a sign for the Lynn Peak Trail. If you haven't had enough, take the left here and climb about 2 miles (3.2km) to the Peak. I prefer to descend the hill coming out at the south entrance to Lynn Loop Trail. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and head towards Rice Lake and the Seymour Parking lot. After about a mile (1.5km) the path enters a clearing with a parking lot. Keep right and take the first gravel path, over the pipeline bridge you saw at the start and back up the hill to the End of the Line General Store.

At this point, I generally recommend the Chocolate Trail puck and a coffee of your choice on the patio!