Old Growth Conservancy Self-Guided Tour

It's uncommon to have a old-growth forest just a short drive outside of a major urban centre, but that's what makes West Vancouver's Old Growth Conservancy so special. Portions of the park have been described as near pristine, showing what forests looked like before Europeans arrived on the North Shore.

The Conservancy gives a wonderful opportunity to learn about the characteristics of an old-growth forest, which is far more than big trees. This tour is a short, easy walk along the Conservancy Crossing trail with stops to see the characteristics firsthand and learn more about them. The tour ends in a second growth area where people instantly see the difference.

Each summer the Old Growth Conservancy Society conducts guided tours of the Conservancy where we get special permission to go into more pristine areas and see the best old-growth trees. This self-guided audio tour is an abbreviated version that stays on the trail but misses seeing some of the more spectacular old growth.

Know Before You Go

• Mobile network coverage in the Conservancy is spotty at best. Download the tour beforehand. There is good coverage at the Cypress Mountain Ski Area, 4 km further up Cypress Bowl Road.
• The tour starts in Parking Lot #5, less than 11 km up Cypress Bowl Road. Drive past the 4th switchback and turn at the first driveway on the left. If you see the KM 11 sign you've gone too far.
• Parking Lot #5 has no sign.
• Parking Lot #5 has no washroom.
• The gate to Parking Lot #5 is locked during the summer to prevent dumping, so many people park just outside the gate without blocking it.
• Please stay on the trail to avoid compacting the soil around the root systems.
• Dogs are not allowed in the Conservancy. Please leave your pets at home.