If you put all the trails in Burnaby together, there’s no holds barred. Ranging from loops to out and back, the trails in Burnaby fluctuate in elevation gains, lengths, terrains and even views. There are so many potential trails with scenic views to engage your core and walk your dog that sometimes you’re not sure what to choose.
While we tend to pick a trail out of convenience for parking, location and the views, many outdoor enthusiasts won’t miss out on difficulty level. We’re in your corner to help you come up with a better choice when visiting Burnaby!
Consult these ten best trails in Burnaby that we grouped into easy and moderate trails with elevation gains starting from 17 and under 350 meters.
Best Easy Trails in Burnaby (Elevation Gain Under 90 Meters)
1.Trail of Hope
Trail of Hope is a beautiful slice of nature. Its low-raising, flat terrain encircles two large lakes within Burnaby Central Park. The crisp air and sunny sky of spring and summertime invite dog walkers, bikers, joggers, and seniors to hit the trail and enjoy the harmony of forest scents.
Some sections are paved but you may need all-terrain tires for the unpaved, graveled parts. Lower and Upper Ponds are magnetic fields of the trail, playing host to a multitude of various duck species and other waterfowl. The only thing you shall not do is try to feed the animals, otherwise, they would rely on humans in the years to come.
Those who want to spice it up with a crossfit session outdoors can play with some ergonomic community workout facilities dispersed along the trail. You can get into the park from the south end via the paved parking lot of Imperial Street.
Length: 2.3km.
Elevation gain: 17m.
Address: 6250 Sea to River Bikeway, Burnaby, BC V5S 3R2.
2. Drummond’s Walk
Drummond’s Walk is a short waterfront trail nestled behind Burnaby Mountain, on the east side of Barnet Marine Park. This trail is extremely famous for local dog owners who want to brush up their run with a scenic view along the inlet.
The off-leash area is around the foreshore leg of the trail on the western core near Barnet Marine Park. Sunset makes it even more compelling for view seekers and that’s why you shouldn’t expect it to be free of people.
Drummonds Walk is catered to those who like an easy stroll and not to put so much stress on their knees. There are no tricky stairs or muds along the way. You can also spend a day out BBQ-ing or enjoying the breeze with your friends over the weekend.
Elevation gain: 26m.
Length: 3.7km.
Address: 8007 Texaco Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 4V2.
3. Deer Lake Trail
The trail running around Deer Lake cuts through the wetland and into the woods, where canopies provide a decent shade for hikers.
Deer Lake trails are also the top choice for beginners and casual walkers who aim for a good two-hour walk on a sunny day. The terrain is relatively flat, making it a household name for all types of walkers to detox and meditate.
The view is centered around the biodiversity of a typical marshland area. It is perfect for birding, with ducks and herons feeding on the fern by the lake. An easy stroll along the trail comes with utmost serenity. The only things disturbing your peaceful walk is wildlife, especially insects, swarming flies, and slugs on the ground.
You can choose between a longer route or a shorter one via the signboards at forks on the road. If a short hike over the weekend is not enough to quench your thirst for nature, drop by the parking lot to rent a boat or launch a canoe!
Elevation gain: 51m.
Length: 4.8km.
Address: Burnaby, BC V5H 4R4.
4. Confederation Nature Trail
This dog-friendly trail is soaked completely in the woods without much interaction with the beach unless you hit the other side of the railway tracks. The only things greeting you along the loop are old nurse tree stumps. 68 meters of elevation gain gives it a flat terrain with some minor changes in the climb and several bridged creek crossings.
Easy as it seems, Confederation is still a forest trail and hikers of all fitness levels should keep a close eye on some downhill sections which can get really slippery during raw weather.
Dense trees provide decent shades before they open out to stunning views over Burrard Inlet. Even though Confederation is heavily forested, there’s no way you can get lost since the network of the trail is simple and easy to navigate. When you take a right turn from the junction of the trail, you will see a small bridge spanning over Rainbow Creek. Overall, local families consider Confederation as a good spot to take their hike up a notch and let their kids game up their skills.
Elevation gain: 68m.
Length: 1.6km.
Address: Burnaby, BC V5C 6K1.
5. Byrne Creek Ravine Loop Trail
It’s time to level up your hike with a little raise in the climb. With 79 meters of elevation gain, Byrne Creek Ravine loop doesn’t sound bad at all.
The three-kilometer loop is enveloped by the deep backwoods. Follow to the foot of the creek as you go down and head back up again crossing the long set of stairs. You can consider Byrne Creek Ravine loop as an easy to moderate trail. The only tricky part to it is around the access point which is steep and filled with gravel rolling under your feet. A solid pair of walking shoes with good treads is what you need to beat Byrne Creek Ravine with confidence.
Carry on deeper into the woods where the ravine curtailed into a small, log-strewn stream that you can have a close-up look. A walk into this thick jungle seems as if it opens a door to the fairyland with impromptu magical touches. The fairy doors, gnomes, and hanging light bulbs from trees are a few to be discovered along the way.
Elevation gain: 79m.
Length: 3.1km.
Address: 7790 Hedley Ave, Burnaby, BC V5E 2R3.
6. Barnet Trail
Barnet is an easily accessible biking and hiking trail located 100 meters off the convergence of the Trans Canada trail and the highway. This out and back trail is one of the top choices under 100-meter elevation gain for those who want to scale it up before entering the 200-meter range.
Barnet trail is extremely popular for mountain bikers practicing on the sheer, rough surface. Some parts of the trail become a little trickier with muddy spots as well as dense and tangled bushes. But overall, Barnet is still an easy trail to tackle and maneuver around.
Elevation gain: 86m.
Length: 4km.
Address: Burnaby, BC V3H 1J2.
Best Moderate Trails in Burnaby (Elevation Gain from 215 Meters)
7. Pipeline and Sidewinder Loop
Pipeline is a knotty and strenuous trail with a steady elevation gain of 215 meters, about six to eight percent grade. The trail is located off the Galardi Way and stretches along the southwest side of Simon Fraser University.
Pipeline and Sidewinder Loop attracts a great number of mountain bikers and forest hikers. Its extensive and challenging pathway cuts deep into the woods with lots of different surfaces. The trail is moderate with a good incline snaking through a gorgeous forest escape.
Pipeline and Sidewinder is an arduous journey for a decent workout to game up your skills, but it’s definitely not a crowd-pleaser. Steep sections integrated with gravel climbing trails and the sudden junction with biking paths call for extra attention, especially when you’re out with your pooch or kids. Seniors also need a second thought before beating this trail since its difficulty may lead to a rapid heartbeat.
The trail is in the heart of the city center with a big thoroughfare right next to it. Therefore, traffic noise still gets in the way but it blends with the background and thins out amongst the trees. Cloudy or sunny, you still encounter a few mountain bikers and hikers, but the good news is that it’s not always packed with people so you still get a good sense of privacy. Autumn paints the trail with a gorgeous mashup of beautiful fall foliage with the leaves starting to turn gold.
Elevation gain: 215m.
Length: 5km.
Address: Pipeline Trail, Port Moody, BC V3H 1J2.
8. Velodrome and Pandora Trail
More than just a classic hiking trail, Velodrome and Pandora is indeed an outdoor cardio workout center in the eyes of the locals. The first portion of the trail is a set of stairs to give you a leg buster before rewarding you with a striking view later in the hike.
Take a further stretch and you will have a chance to contemplate the gorgeous Burnaby Mountain and the ocean. You don’t have to wait till the end of the trail for a beautiful vantage point like somewhere else. It accompanies you throughout the walk.
Once you reach the top, there’s a breezy green pasture waiting where you can rest your tired bones before heading back down. Nice views over the Burrard Inlet is not the only thing you’re rewarded for. Hawks and eagles survey the sky outside of the trees, while you’re here conquering a variety of terrains.
Velodrome and Pandora Trail speak for a perfect getaway over the weekend for those who dream of an outing day full of nature and wildlife.
Elevation gain: 234m.
Length: 2.7km.
Address: Burnaby, BC V5A 3W1.
9. Burnaby Mountain Loop
Walking abreast with other epic trails in town, Burnaby Mountain Loop is an extensive network of forest trails that encircles a small mountain on the edge of Vancouver. It invites many locals to head out for a mini urban adventure.
The entire loop connects over five kilometers of different trails submerged in the shades of the green canopies. The loop is located right in the city center along with many other trails surrounding Simon Fraser University. Hence, no single strand of boredom can get in the way.
Restaurants, Playgrounds of the Gods, a children’s area, and a manicured rose garden put together a pleasant and exciting outing day. The steep section at the beginning of the trail gives you a warm-up while the rest of the trail is filled with gentle slopes.
Trees and bushes guard at sudden turns with long stretches of isolated paths, asking you to give a head-up if you’re new to the trail. You can also choose to hike the loop counter-clockwise on a gradual downhill if you like something easy on the knees before encountering a steep uphill at the end of the hike.
Elevation gain: 248m.
Length: 5.1km.
Address: University Dr E, Port Moody, BC V3H 1J2.
10. Simon Fraser University Loop Trail
Linger your challenge by carrying further on with Simon Fraser University Loop Trail. We save this loop at the end of the list for those looking for an intense workout in nature. This craggy loop is encrusted with a variety of surfaces. Aside from the paved way, you will come across log-strewn rows or rough and tumble crossovers.
Compared to other trails in Burnaby, this one is a lot hillier with many sections intertwined with cycling paths. And so if you’re on the walk with your dogs, make sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled for speedy mountain bikers.
The first half is fairly easy while the latter half is a little tougher. But all in all, the elevation fairly spreads out so you don’t have to fret over detouring at sudden turns and or tricky climbs.
Heavily forested hills shield you from the sun so you won’t get all sweaty walking during summer. While some people still hike when winter comes, it’s a whole different story with deep snow and icy conditions. So make sure you know what you’re going to get when hiking in this extreme weather.
Elevation gain: 341m.
Length: 10.8km.
Address: 8888 University Drive Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6.
While the easiest trails in Burnaby scatter around the city, steep and challenging trails mostly enclose the foot of Simon Fraser University in the area of Burnaby Mountain. Once you’ve had enough with the workout, return to one of these best parks in Burnaby to take it easy!