Coquitlam Lake View Trail and Woodland Walk

Coquitlam Lake View Trail and Woodland Walk is one of those classic Burke Mountain loops that feels way more “backcountry” than its Coquitlam address suggests. The 7.4 km loop has about 303 m of gain, tops out around 586 m, and most people finish in just over two hours, but recent hikers are calling it more moderate than easy thanks to steady ups and downs and a few washed-out bits. Expect a quiet forest hike with waterfalls and creeks instead of big mountain vistas.

The loop winds through dense west coast forest, with long shaded sections, mossy cedar stumps, and a network of creeks and small falls. Sawblade Falls and Woodland Falls are the main highlights, and most people agree the waterfalls look better in person than in photos, especially in spring. Parts of the route share space with mountain bike trails and powerline roads, so keep an eye out for riders and follow your map at junctions where signage fades.

Current reports on Coquitlam Lake View Trail and Woodland Walk mention several washed-out sections under the power lines and a broken bridge near Woodland Walk and Harper Road, which can force a long backtrack if you commit too early. The trail is poorly marked in spots, so download a map, start earlier in the day, and be ready for some route-finding even though the stats say “easy.” Expect black bears in the lower loop, wasps near the steeper sections by Sawblade Falls, no washrooms, roadside parking only, and a lot of bugs in warmer months, so bring spray and treat this as a real forest hike, not just a city stroll.