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Hiking Mystery Lake - panoramic view
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Hiking in Mystery Lake: trails, map and practical info

Vancouver Coast Mountains • British Columbia

Tucked in British Columbia's Vancouver Coast Mountains, Mystery Lake delivers alpine scenery on a 5 km easy hike with just 250 m elevation gain. Reach crystal-clear waters reflecting surrounding peaks in under 2 hours—genuine mountain terrain without the full-day commitment, located 26 km east of Princeton.

5 km
Distance
2h15
Duration
462 m
Elevation
Difficulty
Easy
Max altitude
1,449 m
Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Mystery Lake? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

1 community photos

Photos: The Cosmonaut — CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)

Trail description

The route to Mystery Lake covers 5 kilometers with 250 meters of elevation gain. Web sources report varying completion times: some indicate as little as 30-60 minutes, while others suggest around 1 hour 7 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on pace and terrain conditions. The difficulty is rated easy, which makes it a solid choice for families, newer hikers, or anyone looking for a quality outing without a brutal climb. That said, "easy" in the Coast Mountains still means rocky sections, rooted terrain, and surfaces that get slippery fast when wet — so footwear with real grip matters.

Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Recommended gear for this trail

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LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Mystery Lake, North Vancouver, BC V7G 1L3, Canada
GPS coordinates
49.374712, -122.9418095
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the mystery lake in British Columbia can be accessed by driving east on Highway 3 from Princeton, BC. The trailhead is located approximately 26 km from Princeton.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?

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Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
49.374712, -122.9418095
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Mystery Lake is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Mystery Lake is 462 m.
The summit of Mystery Lake is at 1,449 m.
Allow about 2h15 for Mystery Lake (5 km).
No, Mystery Lake has no visitor centre on site.
The Mystery Lake trail typically takes 3 to 4 hours to complete. This duration accounts for the 5 km distance and 250 m elevation gain at a moderate hiking pace.
Mystery Lake trail is 5 km in distance with an elevation gain of 250 meters. This makes it a moderate day hike suitable for most fitness levels.
To reach the Mystery Lake trailhead, drive east on Highway 3 from Princeton, BC for approximately 26 km. The trailhead will be located along this route in the Vancouver Coast Mountains.
The Mystery Lake trail is accessible from sunrise to sunset. Plan your hike accordingly to ensure you complete the 3-4 hour trek within daylight hours.
Didn't find your answer?
Top 10 best hiking in Vancouver Coast Mountains
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Vancouver

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Update : October 2026