Five Unique Hiking Spots Near Surrey

Active KSA, a branch of the Kwantlen Student Association designed to help KPU students participate in group-oriented outdoor events, recently hiked to Jug Island in the middle of Belcarra Regional Park.

Maybe you were one of those hikers and had a blast, or maybe you couldn’t make it that day. Don’t let that stop you from hiking, especially now that the weather has improved. There are so many amazing hikes in or around the Lower Mainland, so grab your hiking shoes, bring a friend and their dog, and try these hikes today.

Buntzen Lake, located near Coquitlam, has a whole network of trails that will interest you, whether it’s your first hike or you’re a seasoned backpacker. There’s the Energy Trail, a one-kilometre stroll weaving in and out of the trees with views of the lake. Then there’s the much more intimidating Dilly Dally Loop at a whopping 25 kilometres. Still, it’s a great hike that’s suitable for all.

Looking to get outdoors and try a new hike but don’t want to leave the comfort of the city? Sea 2 Sky is 7.5 kilometres at a gnarly elevation, but don’t be dismayed. It’s only one way. You take the gondola down—$15.00 for humans or dogs—but before you do make sure to check out the view. The hike rivals its well-known counterpart, the Squamish Chief. In fact, it’s located barely two minutes away from the Chief, and parts of the Sea 2 Sky trail will cross over onto the Chief. However, Sea 2 Sky has one thing the Chief does not—burgers.

If the verb “walk” rather than “hike” sounds more comforting to you, then Teapot Hill might be the one for you. It’s five kilometres round-trip, but you won’t be cheated out of amazing views. Teapot Hill is located in Chilliwack near Cultus Lake, perfect for a post-hike swim. It’s a well-marked trail that will eventually take you to a fenced-in plateau at the top. What makes this hike really special is the hidden teapots along the way. You’ll feel like you’re walking through Beauty and the Beast. Remember to bring water, good shoes, and your own teapot to hide.

Widgeon Creek (also known as Widgeon Falls) is probably one of the more unique hikes around here. It is located in Maple Ridge, only 6 kilometres long, and ends with a beautiful view of a waterfall. However, this hike is really unique because, to access it, you must paddle roughly 9 kilometres across a lake and up a lazy river. You can bring your own canoe, kayak or paddle board or choose to rent one at the park.

There are quite a few different trails to choose from on Mount Seymour, but personally, I’m a fan of the classic Mount Seymour Trail. It’s only four kilometres, but it does climb to moderate heights. About three quarters through the hike you’ll reach a flat area called Brockton Point. This is a great place to eat your lunch because, after all that climbing, you’ll have an absolutely gorgeous, 360 view of Vancouver, the ocean, and our local snowy mountains. After lunch, keep going to reach the top. Finishing the rest will literally be a climb in some points as you’ll have to scramble over several rock features. It’s hard, but incredibly fun and a little different than your average hike. However, I do not recommend completing this portion of the hike in the dark, and be aware that your four legged friends may not be suitable for this portion of it either.

There are so many diverse hikes around here. There’s no need to be stuck suffering the Grouse Grind for the seventeenth time this summer. And hey, once you’ve got these hikes down, why not try an overnighter backpacking trip? The possibilities are endless.