Mike Lake, Hidden Trail, Memorial Trail, Alouette Mountain Trail loop

The Mike Lake, Hidden Trail, Memorial Trail, Alouette Mountain Trail loop in Maple Ridge packs a solid workout into 9 km without feeling like a death march. You’ll gain around 460 m as you wind through classic Golden Ears Provincial Park forest, usually wrapped up in about three hours if you keep a steady pace. It’s rated moderate, but the start is steeper than people expect, so it feels closer to “moderate-plus” on the way up.

The loop links Mike Lake, the Hidden Trail, Memorial Trail, and a stretch of the Alouette Mountain Trail into one continuous circuit, so the terrain keeps changing. Expect rooty sections, loose rock, and a few bouldery bits near old FSR sections, with short flats that give your legs a break. Views are mostly forested, with a quiet memorial lookout and bench offering the best pause-and-soak-it-in moment before you drop back toward Mike Lake.

Recent hikers report mostly dry ground with some muddy, slippery patches, lingering soft snow in shoulder season, and trails that get more overgrown as you climb. Navigation is the main challenge: there are lots of side trails, at least one “hidden” turnoff, and a few easy-to-miss markers, so download the route on AllTrails and keep an eye on the orange flags. Bugs and mosquitoes can be annoying in warmer months, poles help on the steep, rocky start and knee-jarring descent, and starting earlier in the day is smart if you’re linking alternate routes around Mike Lake or hiking with a dog.