Serpentine Fen Trail

Serpentine Fen Trail in Surrey, BC is a super mellow 3.5 km loop that feels more like a nature walk than a hike. It’s dead flat, only about 6 m of gain, and usually takes around 40 minutes, so it’s ideal when you just want to stretch your legs, walk the dog, or get off the pavement for a bit. Think open marsh, slow river, and big sky, right on the edge of the city.

The loop circles through grassy marshlands along the Serpentine River, with three wooden viewing towers that give you a great look over the bog, fields, and water. Expect lots of birds—ducks, geese, herons, the odd raptor—and sometimes seals in the river, plus rabbits along the path. The trail itself is mostly wide and easy to follow, with one narrower leg off the access road that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

Current conditions on Serpentine Fen Trail are very exposed: there’s little shade, so a hat, sunscreen, and earlier or later starts help, especially in summer. Early August brings loads of blackberries along the route, but also mosquitoes, especially in the evening, and occasional muddy or smelly spots from nearby farm fields. Expect steady road noise from Highway 99 and King George Boulevard, some dog poop left on the trail, a small parking lot with no toilets, and a very easy, quick loop that’s more about casual birdwatching and a flat walk in Surrey than a big “wow” hike.