The best city hikes and walks around Pitt Lake

There are several urban hiking trails around Pitt Lake, with komoot featuring 7 routes in this guide. These trails are predominantly easy, making them accessible for most hikers.

Urban hikes around Pitt Lake offer a blend of natural beauty and accessible pathways. You'll encounter trails along the Pitt River and through extensive wetlands, such as the Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Many routes feature waterfront views, dense forests of Cedar, Fir, and Maple, and the majestic mountainous backdrop of the surrounding provincial parks.

Yes, many of the urban trails are suitable for families. The easy-graded routes are generally flat and well-maintained. For example, the Harris Landing Park loop is a shorter, easy option perfect for a family outing. The wider dyke trails in areas like Grant Narrows Regional Park are also excellent for leisurely walks with children.

Many urban trails around Pitt Lake are dog-friendly, but it's always best to check local signage for specific regulations, especially concerning leash laws and protected wildlife areas like the Pitt-Addington Marsh. Generally, trails like the PoCo Trail loop from Port Coquitlam are popular choices for walks with canine companions.

Along the urban trails, you can enjoy views of the Pitt River, which is a significant natural feature of the area. Highlights include the Pitt River Bridge and sections of the Traboulay PoCo Trail and Pitt River Regional Greenway, which offer scenic perspectives of the river and surrounding landscapes. Grant Narrows Regional Park also provides excellent vantage points for the lake and wetlands.

Yes, several urban hikes around Pitt Lake are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the PoCo Trail loop from Port Coquitlam and the Harris Landing Park loop, both offering convenient round trips.

Pitt Lake offers spectacular scenery year-round. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures and vibrant natural colors, while summer is ideal for combining hikes with other water activities. Even in winter, many urban trails remain accessible, offering a tranquil experience, though conditions can be damp.

Access varies by trail. Many urban trails, especially those closer to Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, are often well-served by public transport routes or have designated parking areas nearby. Grant Narrows Regional Park, a key access point, offers a boat launch and parking, serving as a starting point for exploring dyke trails.

The urban hiking experience around Pitt Lake is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars. Reviewers often praise the accessible, well-maintained paths, the beautiful waterfront views, and the opportunity to observe diverse wildlife in the wetlands, all within close proximity to urban centers.

While the urban trails directly featured in this guide do not lead to waterfalls, the broader Pitt Lake area is known for Widgeon Falls. However, reaching Widgeon Falls typically involves canoeing across the lake and then a hike, making it a more adventurous outing than a typical urban trail.

For those looking for a longer urban hike, the Shoreline Trail – Kayaking at Port Moody loop from Inlet Centre offers a pleasant 5.5 km route. The PoCo Trail loop from Port Coquitlam is another good option at over 5 km, providing a substantial walk within an urban setting.

Yes, many of the dyke trails and paved pathways around Pitt Lake are excellent for both hiking and cycling. The Traboulay PoCo Trail and Pitt River Regional Greenway are prime examples of multi-use paths where you can enjoy a leisurely ride or walk.