Red Mountain

Red Mountain in Mission, BC is one of those hikes that sounds a bit “meh” on paper but ends up sticking with you. This 9.2 km loop with about 357 m of gain is a moderate grind that most people finish in just under 3 hours, and it’s usually much quieter than nearby Bear Mountain. If you want a solid workout, some forest time, and a summit area with open views without the crowds, this is a good bet.

The Red Mountain loop is mostly on gravel and forest service roads, with rocky sections that keep things interesting but not technical. Views start to open up higher up, and on a clear day you get a wide look over the surrounding valleys and hills, which feels rewarding after the fairly repetitive road walking. You will hear gunshots from the shooting range below on parts of the route, and you pass above it at one point, so expect noise instead of wilderness silence.

Recent hikers report the trail itself in generally good shape, but route finding can be annoying: signage is poor, there are side roads and deadfall, and many people rely heavily on GPS to stay on the loop. In wet weather, sections flood and BC Hydro detours can feel like walking up a small waterfall, so waterproof footwear helps. Dogs are allowed, but there has been at least one recent dog-on-dog biting incident near the summit, so keep your dog leashed and close. Red Mountain is subject to seasonal closures, so check Mission’s forestry trail updates before you go, start at the gate on the left side of the parking lot, and plan for a straightforward but noisy forest road hike with a decent payoff at the top.