Simon Fraser University Loop Trail MTB

Simon Fraser University Loop Trail MTB on Burnaby Mountain is one of those “right in the city but feels away from it” routes. This 9.5 km loop wraps around SFU in Burnaby, with about 307 m of gain and a mellow grade that most walkers will handle in around 2 hours 45 minutes. It’s rated easy, but the ups and downs add enough work to feel like real exercise without being a suffer-fest.

The loop mixes wide service roads, singletrack, and sections under the power lines, so the feel of the trail changes as you go. Parts of the Simon Fraser University Loop Trail MTB run close to the road and you’ll hear traffic, then you duck back into the forest and it’s quiet, with soft dirt under the trees and the odd garter snake sunning itself. Hikers share much of this loop with mountain bikers, and some folks peel off onto Mel’s Trail for a narrower, more hiking-focused stretch that eventually reconnects with the main loop.

Current reports say the route is generally well marked, though having a navigation app helps at junctions, especially if you start changing the plan mid-hike. Expect dual use with cyclists, some narrow sections where you’ll need to step aside to pass, and the occasional trail work closure, so it’s worth checking recent comments before you go. The Simon Fraser University Loop Trail MTB is doable year-round, with quieter trails in the morning, and locals recommend bringing a bear bell, enough water, and leaving a bit of time after for a wander around the SFU campus and its concrete-heavy architecture.