Old Riverside Discovery Trail

Old Riverside Discovery Trail in Abbotsford, BC is one of those easy, no-fuss routes you pull out when you just want to move your legs and grab some sky. This 5.1 km out-and-back path is mostly flat with only about 75 m of gain, so it feels more like a steady walk than a real hike, and most people finish it in around an hour and change. It’s wide, open, and usually quiet, with way fewer crowds than the better-known Abbotsford spots.

The trail starts out paved and straightforward, then rolls into long, gentle inclines that get your heart rate up without ever feeling hard. You walk right under power lines with big open views, and on a clear day you get a surprisingly good look at Mount Baker, power wires and all. Between the slough, wetlands, and nearby fields, there’s a decent mix of birdlife and those wide Fraser Valley skies that make the walk feel bigger than the stats suggest.

Recent reports on Old Riverside Discovery Trail mention lots of sun exposure under the power lines, cold wind, and some icy, slippery sections in sub-zero weather, so in winter stick to the grassy edges and cover your face and neck. The area can be noisy with the recycling depot, landfill, grain mill, and you’ll definitely catch some funky smells along parts of the route, so go in knowing it’s more urban-edge than wilderness escape. The trail is open year-round and stays easy to follow; aim for clear, sunny days for the best Baker views, bring a windproof layer, and expect a relaxed, low-traffic walk rather than a rugged Abbotsford hike.