Vancouver

5 Fall-friendly Hikes in the Lower Mainland

Who says hiking season ends with summer? Bundle up for an outdoor autumn workout and hit the trails

By Heather Cameron /

Credit: Flickr

Stay fit this fall and enjoy the fresh air with these seasonally appropriate trails

Keeping fit come fall can be a challenge if you prefer getting your exercise al fresco. But as rain season approaches, don’t count hikes out altogether. These fall-friendly trails are safe and scenic year-round and can be adapted for an hour of quick-paced cardio or an afternoon of meandering.



Credit: Flickr/Junichi Ishito

Beaver Lake, Vancouver

Looking for a change from your regular cruise along the seawall? Check out Beaver Lake; this beautiful body of water hidden within Stanley Park is secluded from traffic. As you spend the afternoon in this wilderness surrounded by natural wildlife, you won’t believe that you’re in the middle a busy metropolis.



Credit: Flickr/Ray Pacheco

Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver

A local artist favorite, Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver provides an array of options that wind around the water. If Lighthouse Park was on your summer to-do list, but you never quite got around to it, it isn’t too late. Only a few routes incorporate a slight elevation change, making this popular tourist spot safe (and less travelled) during the shoulder season.



Credit: Flickr/Iwona Kellie

Dog Mountain Trail, North Vancouver

Take the shifting seasons as your opportunity to ditch the difficult terrain of Mount Seymour and try out Dog Mountain Trail along its base instead. The trail will guide you past First Lake and across various streams before revealing a stunning view of North Van, the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park and the distant downtown core.



Credit: Flickr/Waferboard

Burnaby Lake, Burnaby

Centred around the largest lake in the Lower Mainland, the trail at Burnaby Lake measures 10km. The hike can be accessed at several points and features all kinds of terrain, from tree-lined trail walking to boardwalk-covered swamps. Worried about enjoying nature without wheels? Just hop on the Skytrain’s Millenium Line and get off at the Sperling-Burnaby Lake station. No excuses now!



Credit: Flickr/Gord McKenna

Millennium Trail, Delta

The scenic trails of Millennium Park follow the powerful Fraser River as it approaches the ocean. This pathway, which underwent an extension in 2008, is well-manicured and maintained, so if you do get wet there’s no need for worry.