+ 110
Grouse Grind
Trail Running Route
Hard
1.13 mi
2,644 ft
THE classic Vancouver hike!
If you can tackle only a single trail on a visit to Vancouver, the Grouse Grind should be it. The Grouse Grind is the most iconic Vancouver hike. It is often referred to as "Mother Nature’s Stairmaster." The trail courses 853m up Grouse Mountain in only 2.9km of trail, which is made of 2,830 stairs. The Grouse Grind is, understandably, also the most popular hike in Vancouver. The trail is relatively narrow so runners (and hikers) are expected to exercise courtesy in passing one another on route. Each quarter of the trail is marked with signage. Most runners agree that the first quarter seems the longest, but the second and third quarters are surely the steepest of the trail. Many Grouse Grinders will ascend the route a multitude of times each year.
Nearly all of those who ascend the Grouse Grind opt to take the gondola down for $15. Alternatively, runners can descend via the BCMC trail, a steep and rooty singletrack variant to the Grouse Grind.
The Grouse Grind has built a sort of community by allowing runners and hikers to purchase a Grind Timer card ($25), which records each ascent and displays everyone’s times on screens at the summit chalet. The summit chalet offers food and drink and shopping. Using the Grind Timer also allows runners to have a small (3.6kg/8lbs) bag transported to the summit via the gondola to allow for a sweater, jacket, food, or drink to be accessed at the top.
There is an annual race up the Grouse Grind held each September with cash prizes for the top three men and women. It doubles as a fundraiser for the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
The estimated time to complete the Grouse Grind is 1-2 hours. Written by Ian Macnairn
If you can tackle only a single trail on a visit to Vancouver, the Grouse Grind should be it. The Grouse Grind is the most iconic Vancouver hike. It is often referred to as "Mother Nature’s Stairmaster." The trail courses 853m up Grouse Mountain in only 2.9km of trail, which is made of 2,830 stairs. The Grouse Grind is, understandably, also the most popular hike in Vancouver. The trail is relatively narrow so runners (and hikers) are expected to exercise courtesy in passing one another on route. Each quarter of the trail is marked with signage. Most runners agree that the first quarter seems the longest, but the second and third quarters are surely the steepest of the trail. Many Grouse Grinders will ascend the route a multitude of times each year.
Nearly all of those who ascend the Grouse Grind opt to take the gondola down for $15. Alternatively, runners can descend via the BCMC trail, a steep and rooty singletrack variant to the Grouse Grind.
The Grouse Grind has built a sort of community by allowing runners and hikers to purchase a Grind Timer card ($25), which records each ascent and displays everyone’s times on screens at the summit chalet. The summit chalet offers food and drink and shopping. Using the Grind Timer also allows runners to have a small (3.6kg/8lbs) bag transported to the summit via the gondola to allow for a sweater, jacket, food, or drink to be accessed at the top.
There is an annual race up the Grouse Grind held each September with cash prizes for the top three men and women. It doubles as a fundraiser for the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
The estimated time to complete the Grouse Grind is 1-2 hours. Written by Ian Macnairn
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse Grind | 1.06 mi | 2,605 ft | 43.2% |
| Grouse Grind Proper | 1.89 mi | 2,602 ft | 26.0% |
| GG - Markers 1-10 | 0.33 mi | 361 ft | 20.3% |
| GG 1st Quarter | 0.36 mi | 732 ft | 38.4% |
| GG-1/4 Sign-247m | 0.63 mi | 810 ft | 24.2% |
| Grouse Grind - 3/4s | 1.18 mi | 2,054 ft | 32.8% |
| Grouse Grind - First 1/4 | 0.45 mi | 922 ft | 38.3% |
| Grouse Grind - To Bridge | 0.71 mi | 774 ft | 20.4% |
| Grouse Grind - First 1/2 | 0.68 mi | 1,414 ft | 38.9% |
| Grouse Grind (Stay Left - Blasted GPS) | 1.11 mi | 2,418 ft | 41.0% |
| GG 2nd Quarter | 0.29 mi | 643 ft | 40.9% |
| GG - Markers 10-20 | 0.33 mi | 285 ft | 15.3% |
| GG-2/4 sign--162m | 0.32 mi | 531 ft | 31.1% |
| Grouse Grind - Second 1/4 | 0.14 mi | 292 ft | 39.2% |
| GG - Markers 20-30 | 0.24 mi | 289 ft | 21.1% |
| Grouse Grind - Third 1/4 | 0.23 mi | 577 ft | 47.2% |
| Like a Spider Monkey! | 0.18 mi | 492 ft | 51.6% |
| GG 3rd Quarter | 0.19 mi | 554 ft | 53.4% |
| GG-3/4 sign-188m | 0.36 mi | 620 ft | 32.1% |
| Grouse Grind - Second 1/2 | 0.45 mi | 1,112 ft | 45.9% |
| GG 4th Quarter | 0.26 mi | 682 ft | 48.8% |
| Grouse Grind - Fourth 1/4 | 0.25 mi | 604 ft | 44.8% |
| GG -4/4 sign - 167m | 0.30 mi | 554 ft | 34.4% |