Burnaby Mountain Park Loop

Burnaby Mountain Park Loop is one of those “in your backyard but feels miles away” hikes right in Burnaby, British Columbia. At about 11.1 km with 453 m of gain and a top elevation around 332 m, it’s a solid moderate outing that usually takes just over three and a half hours. Expect a mix of forest walking, urban edge views, and a decent workout, especially if you include the famous Velodrome stairs section.

The loop links together several trails across the north side of Burnaby Mountain, with access from North Road, Barnet Highway, or up by SFU. Go clockwise for a more gradual climb, or counter-clockwise if you want to tackle roughly 500 steps in one go and really get the heart rate up. On clear days you’ll catch views over Burrard Inlet, the North Shore mountains, and the city, mixed with long stretches of quiet second-growth forest and birdsong.

Right now, the big caveat is the Velodrome stairs: they’re officially closed at both ends, with barriers and “trail closed” signs, and that means the Burnaby Mountain Park Loop isn’t a true loop if you obey the closure. Many locals are still using the stairs and say they’re mostly fine with a few damaged steps marked, but that’s at-your-own-risk territory. If you want to stay legit, be ready to backtrack or detour on roads, which adds distance and isn’t as pleasant. The route has plenty of ups and downs, can be muddy in wet weather, and hiking poles help on the steeper bits. This is a good choice for reasonably fit hikers year-round, but not ideal as a very first hike, and you should keep dogs leashed and stay alert for the occasional black bear.