Bear Back and Bigguns

Bear Back and Bigguns in Mission, BC is a solid choice if you want a short but punchy loop with real elevation and a bit of character. At 5.6 km with about 304 m of gain, it’s rated moderate, but the steeper bits will wake up your legs and lungs. Expect around three hours on trail if you’re taking breaks and soaking in the views up high.

Most hikers tackle Bear Back and Bigguns by grinding up the logging road, then dropping back down through the forest. The climb is straightforward and a bit dull at times, but it gets you up fast to a small lookout with partial views that really shine on a clear morning. The payoff is the descent on Bigguns: a fun, twisting trail through the trees that feels way more like “real hiking” than the road, with a few steeper pitches that demand your attention.

Recent hikers say the top view can be a bit overgrown, so go for the workout and forest time more than a huge panorama. Bigguns is very steep and can get slippery, especially with snow, mud, or wet leaves, so good tread and trekking poles are a smart call. This Mission loop is shared with mountain bikers and even the odd horseback rider, so keep your head up, bring a headlamp if you’re flirting with dusk, and aim for the drier months from late spring to early fall unless you’re comfortable with snow patches and slick sections.