Hikes in East of Vancouver

Crystal Falls is a gentle hike following the Upper Coquitlam River, which ends at the stunning Crystal Falls waterfall on Pritchett Creek. While this is an all-year trail, summer takes this hike to the next level, with crystal clear canyon pools available for a refreshing dip.

For a challenging walk around Buntzen Lake, try the Sendero Diez Vistas Trail hike. Find ten incredible viewpoint along the ridge walk, overlooking the North Shore, Burrard Inlet, the Indian Arm and even Vancouver Island.

Gold Creek Falls hike is a great walk for those camping nearby in Golden Ears Provincial Park or visiting Alouette Lake. With an easy, well-maintained path leading to a beautiful waterfall, this makes for a great family hike.

The Golden Ears Summit is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding hikes in all of the Vancouver region. Located in Golden Ears Provincial Park, this popular hike provides 360 views over stunning vistas and is often completed over two days.

Head to Minnekhada Regional Park to hike to High Knoll for mesmerizing views and plenty of trails to explore throughout. Pass by marshes split into two sections by a dyke, and teeming with local wildlife

The Jug Island hike is an easy walk for the whole family through fresh-smelling cedar forests, up the spine of the peninsula. Pass by both Belcarra and Bedwell Bays, where clear, glistening water entices hikers in for a refreshing dip.  

For a challenging hike, explore two amazing lakes near Coquitlam, BC: Munro Lake and Dennett Lake, which can be accessed via a steep hike in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, Coquitlam. Be sure to pack your swimsuit so you can run straight for the water at the end of the hike during the summer months.

Explore woodland trails on the Sawblade Falls hike, which leads to a scenic waterfall located on Burke Mountain in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, Coquitlam. Pass by smaller falls and beautiful alpine forests to enjoy fresh mountain air on the way to the main attraction.  

The Steelhead Falls hike is an ideal year-round trail with little to no snow due to the low elevation. The waterfall is spectacular and has upper and lower viewing platforms, making the Steelhead Falls a great option for families and solo hikers alike

Get ready for some paddling fun, since you’ll need to canoe or kayak to reach the starting point for the Widgeon Falls hike. This trail can be a great all-seasons hike, but is especially spectacular in the fall, as the leaves change colour all along the shallow waters of Widgeon Slough.

The Burnaby Lake Loop is a great day hike for those looking to lose the feeling of being in the city without actually leaving it. Although it is a 10.0 km hike, the minimal changes in elevation mean that this is an easy trail that the whole family will enjoy. After your hike, enjoy watching the wildlife while walking the boardwalk out to Piper’s Spit, or observe the teams of rowers as they pace alongside the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion.

Home to Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain also hosts 28.0 km of hiking trails that make their way throughout the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Enjoy spending the day losing yourself in its network of trails, climbing to the top of the mountain to spot distant peaks, or heading downhill to hit up the mountain bike trails. Don’t forget to check out the wood-carved totems that stand high in the sky near the Horizons restaurant.

The Sasamat Lake Trail is a great lakeside hike where the entire family can enjoy a full day of fun outdoor activities. Take pleasure strolling along the flat trails, soaking in the sun on the beach, or fishing off the floating bridge on the south side of the lake. When the sun gets too hot, jump in the water of one of the warmest lakes in the region, or cool off with a treat from the lakeside concession stand. This popular weekend getaway has something for everyone.

The hike up to Evans Peak is an ideal day trip for those looking to experience the beauty of Golden Ears Provincial Park, without the full-day/overnight commitment of some of its more well-known attractions. The Evans Peak trail is a challenging experience due to its steep trail and multiple rope sections, but it rewards hikers with beautiful views of Alouette Lake to the south east, and the majestic Garibaldi Provincial Park to the north.

The Coquitlam Crunch Trail is an urban hiking route purposefully designed to provide hikers with an excellent workout. This steeply inclined 6.3 km trail runs underneath a length of hydropower lines and is often considered a less intense version of the Grouse Grind. So while the route may lack beautiful, unobstructed views, you can rest assured that it more than makes up for this shortcoming with an intense workout that will leave you feeling accomplished.

The Buntzen Lake Loop is a 12.1 km trail around the shores of Buntzen Lake that passes through beautiful forests and over scenic bridges. Better known now for recreational use than its history producing hydroelectricity, the lake is home to a network of trails and several beaches, offering outdoor enthusiasts several options to get out and enjoy nature. Access to the park is limited, so make sure you get there nice and early to beat the crowds.

The Mundy Park Trail is a densely-forested hiking path through Coquitlam’s largest park and has little elevation change, making it a great hike for children or beginner hikers. Follow along the Perimeter Trail as it skirts the outside of the park and passes by two lakes. Due to the many sports facilities within the park, this is a great route to pass the time while the kids are at softball practice or to take the dogs for a long, shady walk through the forest.

The Hayward Lake Trail is a 17.5 km route near Mission, BC, that loops around Hayward Lake and crosses over two dams - Ruskin Dam in the south and Stave Falls Dam in the north. Travel around the beautiful lakeside scenery on your way to the picturesque Steelhead Falls before ending up at one of the lake’s beautiful beaches. This is a great day hike that offers access to a lot of other fun outdoor activities.

The Alouette Lake Trail is a fun 15.3 km out-and-back trail that takes you along a forested path through Golden Ears Provincial Park. This hiking route doesn’t offer much in terms of great views until you get to the South Beach at Alouette Lake, but it does pass through some beautifully forested areas with spectacular flora and fauna. Make sure to pack a swimsuit to enjoy the refreshing waters of the lake.

The Eagle Mountain Powerline Road is a fairly easy-going 8.2 km out-and-back route that travels along a clearing in the forest up to a viewpoint over Buntzen Lake. The trail itself doesn’t contain many views, but the wide gravel path offers a gentle uphill climb that is accessible for most skill levels, and the view over the lake is spectacular. This is a straightforward route that makes for an easy afternoon outing.