Arduum and Mastadon Loop

Arduum and Mastadon Loop in Mission, BC is a short but punchy 5.3 km loop with about 330 m of gain, topping out around 565 m. Most people clock it in just over 2 hours, but it feels like a proper workout thanks to the steady climb and quick descent. The area has seen a lot of logging and hydro work, so don’t come expecting a remote forest escape, but there are still solid views and interesting terrain.

The loop climbs Arduum first, then drops back down Mastadon, making a nice flow if you follow it clockwise. Arduum and Mastadon are both designed as mountain bike trails, so the grades are smooth but can be steep and fast, with riders flying downhill. On clear days you get rewarding views over the valley and cutblocks, and in spring you might spot eagles circling near a known nest above the upper section of Mastadon, which is a pretty cool bonus.

Recent hikers report soggy ground, very slippery sections when wet, and limited tree cover, so expect to get rained on if the weather turns. Parts of the area have been heavily disturbed or flattened for hydro construction, and there’s at least one report saying sections “no longer exist,” so check the latest updates from the City of Mission and recent trail reports before committing. This is active bear country and an active downhill bike zone, so carry bear spray, make noise, keep your head up for riders, and save this loop for drier days in late spring through fall when snow and mud are less of an issue.