Chadsey Lake

Chadsey Lake on Sumas Mountain sits above Abbotsford and delivers a solid workout with a cold-water reward at the end. The trail is a 10.8 km out-and-back with about 705 m of gain, rated challenging and usually taking around four and a half hours. It’s a steady grind rather than a technical scramble, and locals hit it often for the fitness, the forest, and the quiet lake instead of big valley views.

The Chadsey Lake trail starts from Sumas Mountain Regional Park and climbs right away through classic Fraser Valley forest: roots, rocks, narrow sections, and a few spots that feel like walking up a dry creek bed. The grade is pretty relentless for the first hour and a half, but it’s hikeable if you pace yourself. Views are mostly in the trees, with the payoff being the lake itself, where you can cool your feet, dip in, or just hang out on the shore before heading back down.

Recent hikers report the trail can be overgrown in places, with spider webs, brush crowding the path, and a narrow tread in sections. In warmer months, mosquitos are aggressive around Chadsey Lake, so bug spray is almost mandatory, and the south/east side of the lake loop is often muddy or close to impassable, so many people skip that section. In winter and early spring, expect ice and maybe snow higher up, making poles and good traction a smart call. This Abbotsford-area hike sees fewer bugs and less overgrowth in late fall, but whatever the season, bring sturdy footwear, pack out your garbage, and don’t trust the rope swing if the water level looks low.