The Eagle Bluffs is a hike which takes you through Black Mountain from the base of the Cypress Mountain ski hill and is probably the most rewarding view for the amount of work you have to put in in the Vancouver area. When you look at the numbers, 4 km and only 350m elevation gain? Easy peasy, right? Well I’m fairly certain all 350m comes within the first half hour of the hike. It takes you basically up the ski hill, following close to the ski lift, so ya, pretty steep. It’s also all loose gravel for the most part so it will be tricky coming down. But once you actually get up to the top of the ski hill it’s a fairly nice hike while passing a few small lakes along the way. You know you’re getting close as you come down the other side of the mountain and the terrain and vegetation begins to change. Then you will finally arrive at a spectacular site overlooking Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Bowen Island. Two hours work for a view like this? Totally worth it. Just be careful coming back when you hit the ski hill portion as it’s extremely steep with many loose rocks!
