North Beach Trail

North Beach Trail in Maple Ridge is one of those low-effort, high-reward walks that locals keep going back to. This 2.6 km out-and-back in Golden Ears Provincial Park is mostly flat, rated very easy, and usually takes under 40 minutes, but you’ll want extra time at the beach. It’s a relaxed way to get big mountain and lake views without committing to a full-day hike.

The trail follows Gold Creek through tall, mossy forest, with a wide, well-worn path that’s straightforward to follow. You’ll hear the creek as you walk, then suddenly the trees open up to North Beach on Alouette Lake, where you get a wide 180-degree sweep of surrounding peaks and deep-blue water. The beach is rocky, so it’s more of a sit-on-a-log, skim-stones, let-the-kids-and-dogs-play kind of spot than a sandy sunbathing beach.

Recent reports mention a bit of mud, which is normal here, but nothing that makes it tricky, and fallen trees along the route have been cleared. The North Beach Trail is very kid and dog friendly, with minimal elevation gain and lots of families using it, especially from spring through early fall. In summer, you’ll need a day-use pass for Golden Ears and the Gold Creek parking lot fills up fast, so arrive early, expect some company on the trail, and bring footwear that can handle wet patches and rocks along the shore.