A moderate loop along the water, mostly through forest. Expect about 200 m of climbing; most people take 3–4 hours. Busy on weekends, so go early.
Moderate · 8–10 km loop · +100–200 m climb · 3–4 hours · Dogs: on leash
Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page
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Metro Vancouver · ~45 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Hydro recreation area before you go.
Clockwise loop from the main Buntzen Lake lot. Cross the floating bridge at the marshy south end, follow the gravel road then the signed hikers' trail north through mossy forest, onto a powerline with lake and Eagle Ridge views. Near lake level a signed spur crosses a suspension bridge at the lake's narrows to North Beach, then the route returns south along the more even east-side trail.
Watch for: West-side trail is the rougher section, which is why clockwise is suggested. Busy in summer.
Best season: all year
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | Metro Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trailhead | Buntzen Lake South Beach, Anmore |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | Parking can be capped in summer; check BC Hydro before going. |
| Dogs | On leash |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Forest |
| Crowds | Busy, especially weekends |
| Managed by | BC Hydro recreation area |
Floating bridge and suspension bridge. Gate closes in the evening.
Numbers are approximate. Check BC Hydro recreation area for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 8–10 km (loop) with roughly 100–200 m of elevation gain. Most people take 3–4 hours. Figures are approximate; check BC Hydro recreation area before you go.
Yes, on leash.
Parking can be capped in summer; check BC Hydro before going.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Winter-friendly low-level walks · Dog-friendly hikes · Lake hikes · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · Metro Vancouver hikes · Rainy-day hikes · Kid-friendly hikes · Dog-friendly hikes · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Buntzen Lake Loop." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/buntzen-lake/
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Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.
My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.
Cam Appleton