Incline and Whisky West Loop

Incline and Whisky West Loop in Maple Ridge, BC is one of those trails that looks innocent on paper and then smacks you with that first climb. It’s an 11.4 km loop with about 433 m of gain, usually taking just over three and a half hours, and the difficulty rating of moderate feels accurate if you’ve got a bit of fitness under your belt. Start early and you’ll likely have a quiet forest to yourself, especially outside peak summer.

The loop winds through classic West Coast forest, with big trees, mossy ground, and a series of small creeks and waterfalls that keep things interesting. Most people notice the same pattern: a steep grind off the start, then the trail eases into rolling, runnable terrain that works well for both hikers and trail runners. There aren’t big mountain viewpoints or lakes on the Incline and Whisky West Loop, so the draw here is the steady flow of singletrack and the feel of being tucked into the woods.

Recent hikers say the counter-clockwise direction makes that initial climb the main challenge, then it’s smoother going after that. The route is generally well marked with flagging and blazes, but there are a few confusing junctions where people have lost the path, so downloading the map before you leave Maple Ridge is smart. Expect wet sections, especially in fall, winter, and spring, so waterproof shoes help, and keep an eye on Golden Ears Provincial Park road advisories since access can be affected by seasonal closures.