As 2023 kicks off, we are all looking for less demanding activities to contrast the holidays’ hustle. We recommend taking a leisurely walk. With over 25% of Burnaby being parkland, it just makes sense!
We have rounded up 6 easy trails in Burnaby to tackle- kids in tow. All the locations are stroller friendly, so even the youngest family members can join you.
Remember to know before you go- check for trail locations and closures on the City of Burnaby website. Please follow all recommended guidelines.
Burnaby Lake Regional Park
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is a haven for birdwatchers. Known for its wildlife sanctuary and home to the rowing club, Burnaby Lake is the only other lake in the city besides Deer Lake. The area is boasted with pathways where birdwatchers regularly spot great blue herons and rarer birds like the green-backed heron.
Reconnect with nature through piles of snow, wild animals, and lake sight-seeing. It is the perfect place to bring your family to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty Burnaby has to offer. Be sure to check out Burnaby Lake Viewing Tower for a better point of view!
Image credit: @kevinthomasjones1988
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area (widely known as Burnaby Mountain Park) is home to Simon Fraser University, Centennial Rose Garden, and Playground of the Gods. Located 20 minutes away from Vancouver, Burnaby Mountain Park offers the ultimate Vancouver’s skyline; skyscrapers, PNE’s ferris wheel, and the street lights along Burnaby Heights.
Sit back and enjoy the breeze. If you’re an adventurous family, Burnaby Mountain Park has pretty diverse trails with different difficulty levels. Please be aware that black bears and cougars are occasional visitors to the creeks and streams near the forest trails!
Image credit: @hasik999999
Deer Lake Park
Nature marries art in this cultural precinct. Home to Burnaby Art Gallery, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Village Museum, and Hart House Restaurant, don’t overlook the lakefront trail in this urban oasis. With over 5 KM of trails, there are lots to see and do here!
The park has many trails taking you past Beaver Creek and Deer Lake. Stop at the dock or beach to take in the view of the city peeking over the trees, watch the ducks, and maybe even build a sandcastle. For your budding architect, the view across the lake of Arthur Erickson’s Baldwin House will be sure to spark conversation and perhaps even a Lego creation in the future.
Image credit: @jn_km
Central Park
You may know Central Park as the home of Swangard Stadium – BC’s premier outdoor track- but there is so much more to see and do here. With three main trails and many interconnected paths, you could spend an entire day exploring this 86.4-hectare park and still have more to see.
Trail loops vary between 2 KM and 5 KM. With two ponds, a perennial garden, and picnic areas, Central Park is a serene oasis compared to the city’s hustle and bustle. Full of Douglas fir, western hemlock, cedar, poplar, and maple groves, you can fully appreciate the coastal rainforest that marks Burnaby’s climate.
Image credit: @rosey_noelle
Byrne Creek Ravine Park
A secluded park in Burnaby, Byrne Creek Ravine Park is the local’s favorite. A 3.2 km trail lays out the whole space, with a low level of difficulty. Byrne Creek Ravine Park is an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. Located next to the Edmonds Skytrain station, this spot is a convenient choice for transit riders.
Check out Kim’s Mart after a long walk session to get your essential Korean needs, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes because it is going to be a whole lot of steps!
Image credit: @grandmasterchang
Fraser Foreshore Park
Are you looking for a quiet stroll along the Fraser River? The 3.9 KM walk hugging the banks of the Fraser River will not disappoint!
If you have a train or bridge lover in your family, stop and watch the CNR bridge connecting Burnaby to Lulu Island in Richmond. If you are lucky, the bridge will swing open for passing marine traffic. The pier is an excellent spot for a picnic or to watch the barges pass by. With an open, grassy field and playground, there are many places to burn off some steam!
Image credit: @ammyyip