Addington Lookout via Fern Trail

Addington Lookout via Fern Trail in Coquitlam is a short, easy out-and-back hike that gives you a real payoff without chewing up your whole day. At just 2.9 km with about 100 m of gain, it’s a gentle climb that most walkers can handle in under an hour, but still feels like you’ve actually been on a trail, not just a stroll around the block.

The route winds through classic Minnekhada Regional Park forest, with rooty stretches, ferns, and enough twists and junctions to keep it interesting. As you climb toward Addington Lookout, the trees open up to a calm view over Pitt Lake and the marshes below, a surprisingly wide view for such a low-elevation hike. It’s usually quiet once you leave the main marsh area, so you get birds, frogs, and forest sounds instead of traffic and city noise.

Recent hikers say the Addington Lookout via Fern Trail is well worth it but the signage can be confusing, so download a map and keep an eye on your route to avoid wandering onto the wrong trail. The path is easy overall but can be rooty and slick after rain, so basic hikers’ footwear is a good idea. Bears are active in this area, including along the access road, so bring bear spray, make noise, and don’t leave food out. Parking at Minnekhada can fill up, especially on weekends, so arriving early is smart, and this trail is especially nice from late winter through summer when the viewpoints and marsh are most lively.