Diez Vistas and Lake Buntzen Loop

Diez Vistas and Lake Buntzen Loop is one of those classic “bigger than you think” hikes in Buntzen Lake Recreation Area, near Anmore in the Tri-Cities, just north of Coquitlam. On paper it’s a 12.9 km loop with about 637 m of gain to around 561 m, rated moderate and “4.5 hours,” but locals know it usually runs closer to 5–7 hours with breaks and detours. You get a solid workout, lake time, and a taste of real North Shore-style roots and rocks without driving all the way to Squamish or Whistler.

The loop usually starts from South Beach or the overflow parking with a calm, flat warm‑up along Buntzen Lake before you hit the Diez Vistas climb. The first couple of viewpoints are the best, with clear looks over Indian Arm, Burnaby, Vancouver, and Buntzen Lake; after that, many of the “ten views” are partly blocked by trees, so think more forest ridge walk than constant panoramas. The singletrack is classic coastal BC: dusty in dry spells, packed with roots, rocks, and a few short scrambly bits, with one steep, slippery descent section that can feel stressful, especially going counter‑clockwise when you’re tired.

Recent hikers report the trail as rougher and longer than the stats suggest, with some people clocking 15 km and closer to 700 m of gain depending on start point and detours. Expect technical sections, loose dirt, and slick slopes after rain; good grippy footwear is a must, and poles are strongly recommended if you have cranky knees or don’t love steep downhills. Bridges and the floating bridge at Buntzen sometimes close due to flooding, which can force long road detours, and there’s regular bear activity between some of the vistas and the lake, so carry bear spray and make noise. You’ll need a BC Hydro Buntzen Lake parking pass and to respect the park’s closing time, so start early, bring plenty of water and snacks, and save a bit of energy for the flat but surprisingly tiring final kilometres back along the lake.