Metro Vancouver · Easy · route varies

george c. reifel bird sanctuary dikes

An easy hike along the water. Little climbing, so it suits a slow morning or an evening walk. Most people take 0 minutes.

Easy · 6 km route varies · +0–10 m climb · 0 minutes · Dogs: check local rules

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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EASY
Difficulty 1 of 4
JFMAMJJASONDALL YEARSEASON
Year-round; peak birding fall to spring

quick facts

Distance
6 km
Elevation gain
0–10 m
Typical time
0 minutes
Route
route varies
Dogs
Check local rules
Drive from downtown
~35 min
Trail ticket

your trail ticket

Hike Vancouver · Trail ticketNo. 138

george c. reifel bird sanctuary dikes

Metro Vancouver · ~35 min from downtown

Trailhead
Reifel Island, about 10 km west of Ladner via Westham Island
Difficulty
Easy
Hiking time
0 minutes
Suggested start
Any daylight hour
Distance
6 km
Climb
+0–10 m
Season
Year-round; peak birding fall to spring

Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check BC Waterfowl Society before you go.

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route in detail

Level dike trails loop around Reifel Island through marsh, hedgerow and old-field habitat, with a spur to the mouth of the Fraser's South Arm and many birding blinds.

Trailhead location from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Dogs, transit, fees and closures change; check the official page.

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elevation profile schematic

+10 m0 km6 km

Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.

Sandhill cranes at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Sandhill cranes at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Photo: stevevoght, CC BY-SA 2.0 · credits
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trail facts

RegionMetro Vancouver
DifficultyEasy
SeasonYear-round; peak birding fall to spring
TrailheadReifel Island, about 10 km west of Ladner via Westham Island
Parking & transitLittle or no transit; plan to drive.
Permits & passesCheck the land manager's page for current fees and passes.
DogsCheck local rules
Kid-friendlyYes, with supervision
HighlightsLakes & water
CrowdsNot rated yet
Managed byBC Waterfowl Society

safety notes

Admission and sign-in required; bikes not allowed on sanctuary trails; hours limited.

Numbers are approximate. Check BC Waterfowl Society for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.

questions

How long is George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary dikes?

About 6 km (route varies) with roughly 0–10 m of elevation gain. Most people take 0 minutes. Figures are approximate; check BC Waterfowl Society before you go.

Are dogs allowed on George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary dikes?

Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.

Do I need a pass or permit for George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary dikes?

Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes.

Can I get to George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary dikes by transit?

Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.

sources

See also: Best hikes for beginners · Winter-friendly low-level walks · Hikes under 2 hours · 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 · Flat and easy walks · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Guides

Cite this page

Hike Vancouver. "George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary dikes." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/reifel-bird-sanctuary/

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nearby in metro vancouver

MVStanley Park SeawallEasy · 9–10 km · +0–20 m · 2.5–3 hoursMVPacific Spirit Regional ParkEasy · 4–10 km · +0–100 m · 1–3 hoursMVBurnaby Mountain TrailsEasy · 3–8 km · +100–250 m · 1–2.5 hours
Cam Appleton, Vancouver real estate agent, climbing the side of a downtown tower at sunset with the North Shore mountains behind
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good to know cam

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.

Visit Cam Appleton Real Estate at camappleton.comCam on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
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