Lower and Upper Ambidextrous Trail

Lower and Upper Ambidextrous Trail in Abbotsford loops through the McKee Peak trail network and packs a lot into 4 km. You get caves, quirky rock formations, small waterfalls, and a quick bit of elevation without it feeling like a grind. It’s rated easy and usually takes just over an hour, so it’s a solid after-work or “squeeze it in before dinner” kind of hike.

The loop winds through forest on narrow singletrack with lots of intersecting side trails, switchbacks, and side viewpoints. The rock features and little caves are the main draw, with a few lookouts over Abbotsford if you poke down the side spurs. Expect some loose gravel, slick wooden bridges, and the odd muddy or overgrown stretch, plus mountain bikes using many of the same lines.

Right now, the biggest thing with Lower and Upper Ambidextrous Trail is navigation and footing: the route isn’t well marked, there are tons of cross trails, and a downloaded map is almost mandatory. Wear real hikers for the rolling pebbles and wet wood, watch for slugs, and keep an eye out for bears around the rock features. Parking is limited near the Highlands/Bassani Park access, dogs should be leashed and kept off the sketchy wooden ramp sections, and this loop works year-round, though rain makes everything slick and summer growth can hide parts of the path.