UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest Red Trail

UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest Red Trail in Maple Ridge is a short, quiet loop that feels way more remote than its stats suggest. At just 1.8 km with about 46 m of gain, it’s an easy stroll that most people finish in under an hour, making it a solid choice for a quick forest fix without committing to a big day.

The Red Trail is the shortest of the marked loops in Malcolm Knapp, with yellow and blue options branching off if you want to go longer. You walk under tall second-growth forest on wide, well-maintained paths, with information boards that explain the working research forest around you. It’s calm, shaded, and usually far less busy than nearby Golden Ears, so you actually get some quiet.

Recent hikers report the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest Red Trail as well marked overall, though a few junction markers can be slightly tucked back from the crossings, so keep an eye out. Expect mud after rain, snow and icy patches in winter, and remember this is active wildlife habitat; bears with cubs have been seen, so give them space and stay alert. No dogs are allowed, this is a research forest, and the loop is doable year-round, but most people enjoy it most from late winter through fall when the trail is clear and the forest feels cool and calm.