Where it is
Lynn Valley is in the District of North Vancouver, west of Lynn Creek and below Mount Fromme, climbing from the Upper Levels Highway toward the mountains. Its centre is Lynn Valley Town Centre, around Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway. On this page Lynn Valley means that area, and the figures and homes above are drawn from listings there that name it.
A little history
The valley takes its name from John Linn, a British Royal Engineer who settled here after 1869; his name was so often misspelled “Lynn” that the misspelling stuck. Logging came first, and the early settlement was known as Shaketown before it took the valley’s name. In 1912, after the forest was logged, the McTavish brothers donated land around a newly built suspension bridge over Lynn Canyon, and the park and bridge opened at the first Lynn Valley Days on September 14, 1912.
The outdoors
- Lynn Canyon Park: the suspension bridge, swimming holes and forest trails, much expanded by the District since 1912.
- Lynn Headwaters Regional Park: backcountry trails, including Lynn Peak and the Varley Trail, at the top of the valley.
- The mountain: Mount Fromme’s trails are known for hiking and mountain biking, and the Baden-Powell Trail crosses the valley.
The town centre
Lynn Valley Town Centre is one of the District’s planned town centres: a shopping centre with grocery stores and everyday services, the Lynn Valley branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library, and newer condos and townhomes nearby. It gives much of the neighbourhood a walkable centre.
The homes
Lynn Valley is one of the North Shore’s most popular family neighbourhoods: detached homes on quiet streets, many post-war houses alongside newer builds, with townhomes and condos around the town centre. Prices are generally below West Vancouver’s for comparable homes, as the figures above show, which makes it a natural choice for families moving up or moving to the North Shore.
Schools
Lynn Valley is in the North Vancouver School District; Argyle Secondary is in the neighbourhood. Catchments depend on the exact address, so check before you make an offer. Why catchments matter
Buying in Lynn Valley
- Creeks and slopes: many streets back onto ravines and creeks. Drainage, setbacks and hazard areas matter for any renovation or rebuild. What to ask the city before you buy
- Suites: many houses have suites. Check whether a suite is permitted before you count on its rent. Homes with tenants
- District, not City: Lynn Valley is in the District of North Vancouver. District or City of North Vancouver
The numbers above tell you what the market is like today. A walk-through with me tells you whether a particular home is worth its price.
