Eagle Bluffs via Coquitlam Crunch Trail, Academy Trail

Eagle Bluffs via Coquitlam Crunch Trail and Academy Trail in Coquitlam is a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s solid if you know what you’re getting into. This 9.2 km point-to-point route has about 458 m of gain and usually takes just over 3 hours, with a moderate grind that feels more like a steady workout than a backcountry escape. Expect a combo of urban start, road walking, and logging roads rather than a full-on forest trail from end to end.

The first stretch up the Coquitlam Crunch is a short, well-built stair climb that’s more fitness circuit than hike, and many locals find it overrated if they’re chasing nature. Once you leave that behind and get onto Academy Trail toward Eagle Bluffs, things feel more like a real hike, with different terrains and a steeper section in the middle that finally makes you work for your views. The scenery is more about open corridors, city and valley glimpses, and utility roads than remote mountain vibes.

Recent hikers have called the route underwhelming if you start from the very bottom, so if your goal is more trail time and less urban grind, park closer to the end of the Crunch and skip the first few kilometres of pavement and stairs. The trail is usually best from March through September, and it can get hot and exposed on the road sections, so bring water and sun protection. Dogs are allowed on leash, and if you treat Eagle Bluffs via Coquitlam Crunch Trail as a fitness hike with some nature mixed in, rather than a wild mountain mission, you’ll be happier with the day.