With COVID-19 having a negative impact on everyone’s usual recreation activities – or any activities, for that matter! – don’t underestimate the value of getting outside and soaking in some vitamin D. Here are five easy hiking trails within 35 minutes of Vancouver.
Colony Farm Regional Park
Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 8 kilometres
Public Transportation: Yes
Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/colony-farm-regional-park/
Information: Located just off the Lougheed Highway in Port Coquitlam, this park offers several trail options, with views of the Coquitlam River and neighbouring fields. As you’re leaving the parking lot to begin your hike, you’ll find a map and you can choose which route to take.
Colony Farm Regional Park. Photo by iStock.Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 10 kilometres
Public Transportation: Yes
Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/pacific-spirit-regional-park/
Information: Offering several trails and about 750 hectares of forest, Pacific Spirit Regional Park is an excellent destination for those looking to spend some time in nature without having to go too far from home. This park is located on the west side of Vancouver, near the University of British Columbia.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Photo by iStock.Deer Lake Park
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 5 kilometres
Public Transportation: Yes
Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/deer-lake/
Information: If you’re looking for a place to walk that won’t be too strenuous, Deer Lake Park could be the answer! Located in Burnaby, east of Vancouver, the walking trails here are flat and provide an easy walking surface around the lake, passing by a beach area, a viewing tower and a pier. The entrance to the park is located off Sperling Avenue and circles Deer Lake.
Deer Lake Park. Photo by iStock.Foreshore Trail
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 5 kilometres one way
Public Transportation: Yes
Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/foreshore-trail/
Information: Located within the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, but a short distance from the previously mentioned trails, the Foreshore Trail will take you along the ocean, passing through Wreck and Acadia beaches with views of the Strait of Georgia, Bowen Island and Howe Sound. Access to Foreshore Park and the trail is off NW Marine Drive.
Wreck Beach and the Foreshore Trail. Photo by iStock.Iona Beach Regional Park
Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 6 kilometres
Public Transportation: No
Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/iona-beach-regional-park/
Information: Located just north of the Vancouver International Airport, near Iona Beach off Ferguson Road, this unique trail gives you sweeping views of the Georgia Strait along a narrow jetty of sand and grass, with the furthest section of the trail covered in logs.
Iona Beach Regional Park. Photo by iStock.
