Cyprus Circuit

Dogs Leashed

This route loads most of the 'boring' (flatter) running at the start along the lower slopes of the Cypress toward Horseshoe Bay, then packs in the fun through the final 2/3rds of the distance on very rugged, technical and steep trails up to Eagle Bluffs, across the Cypress Bowl and back down the lower slopes of Hollyburn.

This route is a mixed bag of slab scrambles, gravel road, rugged singletrack, and meadow trails. Enjoy!

Water can be collected in abundance from the many streams along the way (early season provides more options as some of the smaller creeks dry up in July and August).

Recommend treating water in this area as it is highly used by people year round.

This route is 35k without the pit stop in Horseshoe Bay.

Park at the Cleveland Dam (for free).

Head west on the Baden Powell Trail through some initially uneventful scenery and stairs into the British Properties neighborhood. After the first couple kms, the trail exits the neighborhood and into classic north shore second growth. From here, the running is straightforward and well-marked. Follow the Baden Powell Trail, until the junction where it heads north (uphill), and continue west on Skyline Trail (which runs under the power lines).

The running along Skyline Trail is somewhat uneventful until the Cypress Lookout is reached. Consider taking a snack break at this picnic area before continuing west and onto some fun descents on 5th Horseman Trail and others.

The route beyond 5th Horseman Trail is a mix of mtb trail and gravel road as you enter the Eagle Lake watershed. Stay on track by avoiding the forks signed 'Watershed, keep out'. After roughly 1km of gravel road through the watershed, return to trails on the easy Whyte Creek Trail. This trail intersects with the Baden Powell Trail (West Vancouver) where you have an option to descend into the Horseshoe Bay village via the Baden Powell Trail for a snack (french fries, fish and chips, and others—adds 7 km), or head directly uphill on the long climb to Eagle Bluffs.

The climb to the bluffs is exceptional and increases in fun (and steepness) the closer the bluffs become. The final section is a scramble up a boulder field, then onto grippy granite slabs just before the summit.

Follow the well-marked (and popular) Eagle Bluffs Trail back to the Cypress Downhill Ski Area, then continue northwest from the main parking lot back onto the Baden Powell Trail (West Vancouver) and traverse Cypress Bowl on the rugged trail. Eventually the trail intersects with the Cypress cross country ski network. From here, follow the red reflector markers back and forth from the wide ski cuts and to the forested singletrack.

Descend the Hollyburn lower slopes on the Baden Powell Trail, or easier options including the Brothers Creek Fire Road (as mapped here). All roads lead to Rome on these lower slopes, and the trails, whichever option you take, will eventually lead back to the Baden Powell. Complete the route by running back down the stairs through the British Properties and back to the Cleveland Dam.