Catch the Sunrise From Quarry Rock in Deep Cove – Vancouver Hiking Guide

In Best hikes in British Columbia/Latest on the blog6 min read

Waking up to the sound of an alarm clock when it’s dark outside isn’t something that usually excites us, unless the plan is to hike for a sunrise. Here in Vancouver, there aren’t many places that offer the perfect sunrise experience, but Quarry Rock in deep Cove comes pretty close. It’s a short and sweet hike that takes you to a beautiful vantage point where you can sip your coffee and watch the first light slowly fill the sky around the village of Deep Cove.

Quickly, What Can I Expect on The Quarry Rock Trail?

Route conditions: Well maintained terrain, a mix of stairs, broadwalks, bridges and natural trails with roots and rocks
Washrooms: There is a washroom near the beach area in Deep Cove but nothing along the trail
Dog friendly: yes, dogs are allowed on the trail

Why Do a Sunrise Hike to Quarry Rock in Deep Cove?

Quarry Rock is one of those classic Vancouver hikes that almost everyone checks off their list sooner or later. By mid-morning the trail is packed with hikers, especially during the weekends, which is exactly why we make a point of coming here for sunrise. Not many people are willing to drag themselves out of bed early, so it’s one of the rare times you can experience Quarry Rock without the usual crowds. We’re not saying you’ll have the viewpoint to yourself, but it’ll be just you and a few others. Far from the crowds that arrive later! And that’s the main reason to catch a sunrise here. But there are more:

• Parking is easy! You’ll easily find a parking spot at the Panorama Park car park which is just steps from the trailhead. Later in the day parking gets tricky as the car park fills up really quickly, sometimes as early as 9 AM.
• The sunrise itself of course! It’s absolutely lovely watching the sky change colour until the sun finally rises almost directly opposite Quarry Rock and illuminates everything in golden light.
• 3 experiences in 1. First, there’s the hike in the dark, which we can all agree is an experience in itself. Then the sunrise! And finally, the hike back. You’ll see all the things you couldn’t see in the dark. And believe us, the morning light is beautiful as it filters through the trees on this trail. 

Quarry Rock is Perfect for First Time Sunrise Hikers in in Vancouver

If you want to start hiking for sunrises but feel a little apprehensive about venturing out in the dark, this is a great hike to begin with. It’s short, relatively easy and close to the city, so you can test how comfortable you feel before trying something more challenging. You can also be sure there will be other people on the trail, so you won’t feel like you’re out there all by yourself. If you’re still apprehensive, go with friends, crush those nerves together and turn it into an early morning adventure.

What Time Do I Need To Start The Hike?

First, look up the sunrise time for the day you’re planning to go. From that time, count how much time it’s likely to take you to get to Quarry Rock and add an extra 30 minutes. For example, if  you’re hiking on January 19 the sunrise is at 7:58 am. If you’re a moderate hiker, you can easily start at 6:45 AM to get to the viewpoint by 7:30 am with 30 minutes spare. Being there early means you’ll catch the best colours in the sky without rushing. 

What to Bring on a Sunrise Hike to Quarry Rock

• Light source: you’ll be hiking in the dark so you’ll need a proper headlamp or a flashlight to light the way
• Layers: starting before sunrise means you will be starting in cooler weather. If you dress in layers, you can easily remove an outer layer once the sun has risen and you become warmer.  
• Something to sit on: in colder months, we use these cheap sitting pads
• Hiking Shoes: during the day you can get away with wearing trainers on this trail, but you’ll be hiking in the dark, so best to wear proper hiking boots to prevent injury 
• A Warm Drink and Snack: trust us, hot tea or coffee will make your morning!
• In winter: gloves and a beanie: you can get cold very quickly waiting for the sunrise as you won’t be moving as much. Wearing gloves and a beanie can make a huge difference.
• While the trail is relatively safe, it’s always a good idea to hike with friends. You may also want to carry bear spray (yes, bears encounters are rare on this hike but why not take one anyway for the peace of mind).

Done? What to do next in Deep Cove

Deep Cove is a beautiful slice of nature in North Vancouver. Once you’ve soaked in the sunrise and made your way back down to Deep Cove, treat yourself to coffee and donuts from Honey Donuts – a local favourite! Stroll along the pier or find a bench to sit and to soak in the peaceful views of the cove. It’s the most perfect way to finish the hike.

How to Get to The Trailhead For Quarry Rock

By Car

Driving is the easiest way to get to the trailhead for Quarry Rock in Deep Cove. If you arrive early, you’ll easily find a spot at the Panorama Park car park which is just steps from the trailhead. Later in the day though, this parking lot is filled by 9 AM, sometimes earlier. If that happens, there are other options like Myrtle Park, Rockliff Road, Cove Cliff Elementary School and Seycove Secondary School. You’ll just need to walk a little longer to the trailhead. 

By Public Transit

Getting to Deep Cove by public transit is also easy. Just catch bus #211 from downtown Vancouver and it’ll take you straight there. It’s simple and you won’t have to worry about parking! That said, buses don’t run early enough for sunrise, so if you’re planning to catch a sunrise from Quarry Rock, driving is your only option.

Why Winter is The Best Time of The Year To Hike to Quarry Rock For Sunrise

Quarry Rock is a great sunrise hike year-round, but most people visit in spring and summer. For us though, winter is when Quarry Rock really stands out and here’s why:

• In the summer, you often have to get up as early as 2 am to catch a sunrise. In winter, sunrises happen later in the day so you don’t have to wake up at a frighteningly early hour. 
• Summer offers other sunrise hiking options in Vancouver, but during the colder months, there aren’t any.
• The colours are often more vibrant. Whilst of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the crisp air and the position of the sun make those oranges pop a lot more in winter.
• Finally, sunny days in winter are rare. For those of us who love being outside, it’s harder to get out as often as we do during the warmer months. So when the sun does decide to show up, a sunrise hike to Quarry Rock is one of the best ways to take full advantage of the weather and spend time outside.

Ready To Catch The Sunrise at Quarry Rock?

Quarry Rock is a beautiful sunrise hike and we hope this guide inspires you to try it yourself. If you decide to give it a go, let us know about your experience below or on Instagram @roamncreate.

Read about other hikes in British Columbia here.