We’re so lucky to be living in BC! The beauty and diversity of the terrain just outside our doorstep is incredible. We’ve got a bit of everything here – mountain ranges, sandy beaches, glacier fed lakes, and old growth forests, to name just a few.
I’ve put together a list of my absolute favourite beginner-friendly and easily accessible trails near North Burnaby. So if you’re itching to get out there and soak in some of that breathtaking nature, keep reading!
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about safety. The folks at North Shore Rescue recommend carrying the “10 essentials” when you venture into the wilderness. You might not need all of these for the trails listed here, but if you ever plan to venture further into the mountains and backcountry, having these items on hand can be a lifesaver:
The 10 essentials are:
- Light
- Signalling Device
- Fire Starter
- Warm clothes
- Pocketknife
- Shelter
- Water and food
- First-aid kit
- Navigation
- Communications
For more information check out the list from North Shore Rescue:
https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/
My personal recommendations for these easy trails are to make sure you’ve got: enough water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized, sun protection, sturdy foot wear, a fully charged phone and GPS access.
All of the following hikes can be downloaded on the Alltrails app, where you can follow the trail and your GPS coordinates on your phone. Learning to navigate with your map and GPS is a valuable skill, and practicing this with some of these easier hikes is the best way to prepare yourself for more challenging routes.
Alright, now let’s get to the good stuff – the easy hikes you’ve been waiting for! Here are some of my favourite trails close to North Burnaby, along with some handy tips.
10 Easy Hikes near North Burnaby, BC from Shortest to Longest Distance
- 1. Drummonds Walk East (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 3.7km
Elevation gain: 22m
Dog friendly: Yes, some off-leash areas
This one’s in Barnet Marine Park, right off of Barnet Highway. Pack a picnic, and you can spend the whole day here enjoying the beach access, grassy spaces, and even an off-leash dog area.
- 2. Cates Park (North Vancouver)
Roundtrip distance: 3.7km
Elevation gain: 48m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash on trails, not allowed along the beach
Head over to the South East end of North Vancouver for this gem. The trails run along the shoreline, offering stunning views of the Burrard Inlet.
- 3. Barnet Trail (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 86m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Found at the base of Burnaby Mountain, this trail is smooth and well-kept. Be prepared for a few steep hills and no shade, so bring lots of water and a good hat!
- 4. Maplewood Flats Conservation Area Loop (North Vancouver)
Roundtrip distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 10m
Dog friendly: Not this one
Cross the Iron Workers bridge for this one. It’s a conservation area with a variety of birds and wildlife. Download a bird identifying app like Merlin onto your phone to spot some of the natives!
- 5. Confederation Park to Montrose Park (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 4.35km
Elevation gain: 51m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
North Burnaby is home to this trail, and it’s part of the Trans Canada Trail. Get ready for a walk surrounded by trees with occasional glimpses of the Burrard Inlet.
- 6. Capitol Hill Scenic Trail (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 4.35km
Elevation gain: 91m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Start from Confederation Park and explore the Northern part of Capitol Hill in North Burnaby. This one has some uphill sections that’ll get your heart pumping. Take breaks and stay hydrated!
- 7. Deer Lake Trail (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 4.51km
Elevation gain: 37m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Right in the center of Burnaby, you’ll find Deer Lake, and its trail offers plenty of tree coverage and a section of charming boardwalks. If you’re up for it, you can even rent a kayak, canoe, peddle boat, or row boat and enjoy the water!
- 8. Rice Lake and Lynn Canyon Loop (North Vancouver)
Roundtrip distance: 5.79km
Elevation gain: 148m
Dog friendly: Not this one
Explore this trail found in Lynn Canyon Park, which is less than 20 minutes north of Burnaby. You’ll get to walk across a suspension bridge, dip your toes in the crystal clear water of Lynn Creek, relax on a bench beside the calm Rice Lake and experience a variety of different trees and flora.
- 9. Port Moody Shoreline Trail (Port Moody)
Roundtrip distance: 5.79km
Elevation gain: 24m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
This trail starts at Rocky Point in Port Moody and hugs the Eastern section of the Burrard Inlet. You can ed your walk with an ice cream at Rocky Point Ice Cream (or you can start your walk with one- I’m not one to judge!).
- 10. Burnaby Lake Park Trail (Burnaby)
Roundtrip distance: 10.3km
Elevation gain: 29m
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
For those of you looking for a bit of a challenge, this loop around Burnaby Lake will do the trick. Just over 10km, it’s perfect for building endurance. The path is well maintained, with occasional lake views to keep you inspired.
I hope you enjoyed this list! If you ever feel sore or tired after a day of exploring, book a massage with me at my North Burnaby office by clicking here.