Quarry Park Loop

Quarry Park Loop on Bowen Island is a short, scrappy little forest ramble that feels more local than polished. It’s about 4 km with 188 m of gain, topping out around 291 m, and most people finish it in about an hour and twenty. The loop is rated easy, but the confusion factor and a few steeper bits make it feel more like “easy-plus” than a flat stroll.

Once you’re on the Quarry Park Loop, expect classic Bowen Island forest: mossy ground, mixed second-growth, pockets of older trees, and a web of side trails that all seem to hook back into each other. The loop itself doesn’t have big viewpoints, but the forest atmosphere is the draw. Some hikers extend the route toward the water, but that quickly runs into private property issues, so it’s better to stick to the official loop or cut over toward Fairy Fen for older, more scenic forest.

Right now, the main thing to know is that Quarry Park Loop is not well signed. You’ll want a map or GPS app open, especially at intersections, and be ready for some deadfall and rougher sections in the second half if you stay on the basic loop. Trails are still easy enough to follow underfoot and it’s hard to get truly lost, but expect a bit of back-and-forth and route checking. This one works year-round thanks to the low elevation, though it can be muddy and slick in wet months, so decent footwear and a flexible attitude go a long way.