Pipeline and Sidewinder Loop

Pipeline and Sidewinder Loop in Burnaby is an easy 5 km forest loop with a steady but manageable 215 m of gain, topping out around 282 m. It’s popular with local hikers and trail runners who want a quick workout close to the city without committing to a big climb. Expect about an hour and a half on the trail if you’re walking at a relaxed pace.

The loop mixes gravel and mostly packed dirt, winding through second-growth forest with tall trees and plenty of side trails peeling off in all directions. There aren’t big viewpoint payoffs here, but you do get a quiet, shaded walk and enough incline to feel like you did something. Runners like Pipeline and Sidewinder Loop for its rolling terrain, and it’s mellow enough for older kids who can handle a two-hour walk.

Recent reports mention sections that can get quite muddy, especially after rain, though some days are just “a bit muddy” and fine with regular hikers. The trail isn’t perfectly marked and the web of nearby routes makes it easy to drift off course, so download a map and be ready to check it a few times. Parking is free along the road and can fill on busy days, and there have been bear sightings near Nicole’s Trail, so carry bear spray, make noise, and stay alert, especially in spring and fall.