10 Hikes Near Maple Ridge and Mission
British Columbia is known for its spectacular views and extensive hiking opportunities. Many know of The Lions near West Vancouver or the Stawamus Chief near Squamish, but there are plenty of other places to hike outside of the general Vancouver area. Here are some of our picks for hikes near Maple Ridge and Mission.
Near Maple Ridge
UBC Malcolm Knapp Red Trail, A10, Blue Trail and C Loop
Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
Distance: 7.6 km loop
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Elevation gain: 293 m
Home to a variety of plant species such as some 400-year-old trees, UBC’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest lets explorers hike while surrounded by unique wildlife. Throughout this trail, hikers will see mountains, streams, mushrooms and moss. As the forest’s primary purpose is for research, those who visit are encouraged to look, but not touch.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Maple Ridge: 6.6 km
Kanaka Creek
Kanaka Creek Regional Park
Distance: 2.3 km loop
Time: 1 hour
Elevation gain: 89 m
If you’re looking to go on a hike near Maple Ridge without going through the hassle of booking day-passes for Golden Ears Provincial Park, then be sure to check out Kanaka Creek. This short, sweet trek brings visitors past the creek and to a small waterfall. It’s a great introductory hike to get your little ones hooked on exploring the outdoors!
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Maple Ridge: 7.5 km
Upper Gold Creek Falls
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Izzy Cheung
Distance: 10.5 km loop
Time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 391 m
Upper Gold Creek Falls provides hikers with the perfect blend of mountain and water views. Head in through the Gold Creek Parking Lot, make your way through the lightly forested trail and admire the shushing sounds of the running water hitting the rocks. Both the lower and upper falls can be seen from this trail, with the water flowing from the latter tending to be calmer.
Day-Pass required: Yes, book here.
Distance from Maple Ridge: 20.6 km
Evans Peak Trail
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Izzy Cheung
Distance: 8.9 km roundtrip
Time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 968 m
While Evans Peak Trail is considered challenging, the views from the top are worth the grind. Reach the top to take in the stunning views of sun-kissed mountaintops—some of which may still even have snow on them. Bring your hiking poles and be prepared for a difficult climb. Likewise, bring your phone or camera and be prepared for fantastic views of Alouette Lake.
Day-Pass required: Yes, book here.
Distance from Maple Ridge: 20.6 km
Golden Ears Summit Trail
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Unsplash
Distance: 22 km roundtrip
Time: 10 hours
Elevation gain: 1,695 m
The Golden Ears Summit Trail is home to some of the most spectacular views in the entire park, but this hike isn’t for the faint of heart. With hikers taking an average of 10 hours to complete this trek, many recommend camping overnight at Panorama ridge rather than doing the entire hike in one day. Furry friends are welcome on this trail as long as they are kept on-leash.
Day-Pass required: Yes, book here.
Distance from Maple Ridge: 20.6 km
Near Mission
McKee Peak via Lower Sumas Mountain Park
Lower Sumas Mountain Park
Distance: 7.9 km loop
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Elevation gain: 404 m
This moderately-challenging, gradually inclined route will take you up part of Sumas Mountain. There are many different trails that can be taken to reach McKee Peak, though all pass through forested paths featuring small caves and interesting rock formations. At various points throughout this trail, visitors will be able to see Mount Baker and the Sumas flats.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Mission: 15 km
Hunter Logging Road
Mission, British Columbia
Distance: 7.7 km roundtrip
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Elevation gain: 324 m
Hunter Logging Road near Mission provides hikers with a beautiful view of Stave Lake. From the viewpoint, visitors will be able to see the beautiful blue water intersecting with the tree-lined mountains that BC is well-known for. Be sure to arrive early as the parking lot is very small and acts as an emergency turnaround area.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Mission: 17.2 km
Hayward Reservoir Trail
Stave Falls, British Columbia
Flickr/NechakoRiver (CCby-ND2.0)
Distance: 14.3 km roundtrip
Time: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 369 m
On the Hayward Reservoir Trail, you’ll encounter Steelhead Falls, lush forests of trees and the turquoise tones of Hayward Lake. Bonus: if you’re up for more exploration once you’re done this hike, bring your bathing suit, kayak or SUP and spend some time on the shores of the lake.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Mission: 18.5 km
Hoover Lake Loop
Mission Municipal Forest
Distance: 10.1 km loop
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Elevation gain: 451 m
For a moderately challenging route that provides a good mix of forested trail and scenic views of the mountains and waterways, try the Hoover Lake Loop in Mission Municipal Forest. While a good portion of the trek is on a gravel logging road, there are points throughout that allow you to access the forest. Before (or after) embarking on your trek, you can check out the Stave Dam, which is near the trailhead.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Mission: 21.2 km
Chadsey Lake
Sumas Mountain Regional Park
Distance: 10.6 km roundtrip
Time: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 682 m
Formerly known as Lost Lake, the trail to Chadsey Lake is a great adventure to embark on in the Abbotsford area. Wear a bathing suit and take a dip once you arrive or pack up some fishing gear and test your luck at finding something in the water. Exercise caution when using this trail as the path may be narrow and overgrown.
Day-Pass required: No
Distance from Mission: 25 km
More on BC:
10 of the Best Trails Near Port Moody BC
The Best Hidden Hot Springs in British Columbia
A Week’s Adventures in British Columbia’s Interior
