Swan Falls Loop

Swan Falls Loop in Coquitlam is one of those big, committing days that feels more like a mountain mission than a casual hike. This 16.1 km loop with around 1,336 m of gain is rated very difficult for good reason: steep climbs, technical sections, and a long time on your feet. Expect 7 to 8 hours for most hikers, and know that some devices record closer to 19–26 km depending on route variations.

The loop links the Buntzen Lake area with the high ridge around Tangled Summit and Mount Beautiful, giving you a full tour of the terrain above Coquitlam. You grind up through forest to reach a chain of small lakes and then cruise along more moderate ridge sections with big views over Indian Arm, the North Shore, and back toward the Tri-Cities. The Swan Falls section itself is steep and rough, with the descent feeling almost as intense as the climb, but the viewpoints from the top make the effort feel earned.

Right now, Swan Falls Loop has serious access issues: rockslides have closed the road near the Swan Falls trailhead, there’s fencing and clear closure signs, and official messaging says there is no access from Powerhouse Road or the Halvor Lunden ridge. Some hikers still push through and report the route is physically passable, but that’s against posted closures and not recommended. In wetter seasons, creeks can run high and crossings become sketchy, and in late fall and winter you can hit ice on the upper sections. If this loop reopens, start early, carry a headlamp, watch the Buntzen Lake gate closing time, and only attempt it in stable weather with strong fitness and solid footing.