Eagle Mountain and Cypress Lake

Eagle Mountain and Cypress Lake in Coquitlam is one of those big days out that actually feels big. This 18.5 km loop gains around 866 m to a high point just over 1000 m, and most hikers clock closer to 20 km by the time they wander around the lakes and viewpoints. It’s rated challenging for good reason: long, remote, and a bit of a route-finding puzzle, but the payoff over the Lower Mainland is huge.

The loop starts on Coquitlam’s maze of Eagle Mountain mountain bike trails, so expect lots of junctions and criss-crossing paths before you really feel like you’re on a hiking route. Higher up, the trail opens into classic Eagle Mountain terrain: small alpine lakes, rocky knobs, and viewpoints like Barton Point and Little Valhalla looking out over Port Moody, Burnaby Mountain, Vancouver, and the Fraser River. The upper loop around the lakes is the highlight, with quiet water, varied forest, and that “above the city” feel without needing to go very high by Coast Mountains standards.

Recent hikers report the trail as accurate but longer than the official stats once you explore side loops, with some sections around the lakes overgrown and requiring a bit of trail finding. Snow tends to linger from roughly 850 m up; in late winter and early spring you may hit deep, soft snow, creek crossings, and need microspikes, poles, and sometimes snowshoes, while late spring to fall is usually straightforward with just the odd patch left. A map or GPS is essential because of all the bike trail intersections, and you should avoid trying to pass Cypress Lake on the south side near construction where the marked trail effectively disappears. It’s generally quiet, but this is bear country, so carry spray, keep dogs leashed, and give yourself a solid 6–8 hours to enjoy the full Eagle Mountain and Cypress Lake loop without rushing.