Taggart Peak

Taggart Peak in Abbotsford starts out on the busy Abby Grind, then quickly turns into a quiet, leg-burning mission. This 10.3 km out-and-back with about 849 m of gain is rated difficult for good reason, and most hikers will need around 4.5 to 5 hours. If you’re chasing a tough workout in the forest more than a postcard summit, this one delivers.

The climb out of the gate is steep, with close to 1000 m of climbing packed into the early kilometres, so expect your calves and lungs to light up fast. Once you pass the Abby Grind viewpoint, the crowds vanish and the Taggart Peak route feels wilder, with lush forest, flowers in season, and a mix of wider track and narrow, brushy sections. Views come and go through the trees, but the actual summit has a communication tower and only a so-so outlook, so the highlight is the effort and the quiet rather than a huge panorama.

Recent hikers report that beyond the Abby Grind viewpoint the Taggart Peak trail is lightly used, overgrown in spots, and sometimes hard to see, though it never fully disappears. Expect to push through undergrowth, watch your footing, and use a downloaded map around the road crossing three-quarters of the way up. The trail is usually hikeable year-round out of Abbotsford, but wet days make the steep descents punishing, so sturdy footwear, long pants for brush and nettles, and trekking poles are smart, especially if you’re using Taggart Peak as a training grind with a heavier pack.