Pacific Spirit Regional Park via vancouvertrails.com
The sun has been joining us more frequently now—yay—so it’s a great time to start planning outdoor activities either physical, or not. To help you with your planning we are providing you with a list to help you plan an accessible outdoor experience.
We know that BC has beautiful landscapes and hiking trails, so here is a list of accessible hikes in BC focussing on hikes that are either wheelchair accessible, transit accessible or both!
BC also has programs and resources to help you plan your next outdoor escape, such as:
- Adaptive recreation opportunities available in Vancouver and Victoria through the Power to Be organization.
- And if you’re seeking a more extreme hiking experience, these TrailRider programs in Vancouver, Shuswap, and Prince Rupert provide adaptive wheelchairs to individuals with limited mobility and volunteers to assist you on your travels.
We look forward to seeing the growing infrastructural development to foster a more accessible, diverse, and all-around better BC for everyone.
And of course, if I missed anything, please leave a comment below! Or check out DestinationVancouver.ca for their article on 8 Easy Wheelchair-Accessible Hikes Around Vancouver | Destination Vancouver
Here is our list of some accessible hiking trails in BC, organised by these region headers:
| Lower Mainland | The Interior | Sunshine Coast | The Islands |
Now let’s get right to it (Click on the Trails for more info):
Lower Mainland
Burnaby
Deer Lake Park | Distance: 1 hour / 5km
Deer Lake Park via Matthew Rachmat with the Social Media Fellowship
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“As you walk along the many connecting trails that surround Deer Lake, watch for wildlife like majestic great blue herons fishing in the shallows or turtles sunning themselves on logs–and, just maybe, beavers building dams in the marshy areas to the west.
To the north of Deer Lake, you’ll find Burnaby’s cultural centre–Burnaby Art Gallery, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Village Museum and more. It’s a hub of activity during the busy summer season, hosting concerts and festivals on the Festival Lawn.” [burnaby.ca]
Find more info Below:
| vancouversbestplaces.com destinationvancouver.com | Burnaby.ca | vancouvertrails.com |
Maple Ridge
Gold Creek Falls trail | Distance: Varied
Gold Creek Falls Trail via perfectdaytoplay.com
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Located in Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge, hiking the Gold Creek Falls trail will allow you to see Alouette Lake as well as one of the most striking waterfalls in the region.
Washrooms and garbage bins are only located in the parking lot, so please follow Leave No Trace principles and take out whatever you brought.
Vancouver
Pacific Spirit Regional Park | Distance: Varied
Pacific Spirit Regional Park via cntraveler.com
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Located near UBC, Pacific Spirit Regional Park contains several accessible trails, including the Heron Trail, which is 1.2 km long, features minimal slopes, and has a semi-firm packed gravel trail surface.
In total, there are over 54 km of walking and hiking trails, with Wreck Beach to the west. The washrooms and parking at the Park Centre on 16th Avenue are wheelchair-accessible, as are the Camosun Bog boardwalk trails.
North Vancouver
Rice Lake Hike | Distance: 1-2 Hours
Rice Lake Loop via besthikesbc.ca
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Looking for something not too far from Downtown Vancouver? Take the Seabus then a short bus ride to this easy entry level hike. This hike is by a “calm, quiet lake located on the edge of the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver. Just a short walk takes you around this lake that is full of life and natural beauty” (VancouverTrails.com).
Find more info Below:
| OutdoorVancouver.ca | VancouverTrails.com | BestHikesBC.ca |
Squamish
Alice Lake Loop | Distance: Varied
Alice Lake Trail via BCParks.ca
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This popular provincial park located in Squamish was named after the first woman settler to hike and fish at this lake, Alice Rose.
Take the wheelchair-friendly Alice Lake loop and breathe in the sweet summer fresh air and aroma of the Cedar, Hemlock, and Douglas fir trees. Channel your inner Alice Rose and explore all that this park has to offer.
Feel free to pack a picnic and settle down at the sandy beach for a nice lunch. You deserve it! All campground trails are also wheelchair accessible.
Coquitlam
Coquitlam Crunch Trail | Distance: 6.1 km
Coquitlam Crunch via coquitlam.ca
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For those up for a little 2-hour challenge, the transit-accessible trail is a popular one in Coquitlam. You’ll see many people and dogs are allowed on leash.
The view gets better as you climb to the top, with a city skyline appearing where you’ll see Burnaby and Mount Baker.
There is not much shade, so like on any trip, make sure to apply sunscreen!
The Interior
Kamloops
Grasslands Loop | Distance: 1.1 km
Grasslands Loop via DarcieLynn on Trailforks
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This short, lightly trafficked trail only takes about 20 minutes to complete, so it’s perfect for after work! Be aware that there is limited shade.
The Grasslands Trail is also accessible for strollers and bikes plus it features beautiful wildflowers and awesome views of Kamloops. For additional information on this hike click here to go to hikekamloops.ca or here to go to kamloops.com.
If you end up hiking here, you might even be able to spot some birds.
Isobel Lake Interpretive Trail | Distance: 3 km
Isobel Lake Trail via www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca
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Kamloops Thompson Trail Alliance Society is a leader in creating innovative trails for people with low mobility.
They recently celebrated the grand reopening of the Isobel Lake trails, which have been upgraded to allow people of various abilities to access the loop around the lake.
The lake features fishing wharves and is stocked full of rainbow trout fish.
Additional info may be found here at trailpeak.com or here at www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca
For more accessible trail options in Kamloops click here to go to Easy Hiking Trails in Kamloops: Beginner-Friendly Outdoor Adventures at kamloops.com
Fraser-Fort George
The Ancient Forest’s Universal Access Trail | Distance: 450 m
Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park via BCParks.ca
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The Universal Access Trail is located within the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut provincial park and protected area. Aside from being a new BC provincial park, having been established in 2016, it is turning into a “must do” park for all hikers.
Hike alongside one of Fraser Valley’s few remaining red cedar forests with cedar trees that are more than 1,000 years old! Here, one may explore over 400 plant species that reside in this area. Fun fact, this place is globally unique because it is the only temperate rainforest located so far north and away from an ocean.
Keep an eye out for fishermen, as many visit this area from summer fishing camps along the upper Fraser River.
Cariboo Regional District
Cariboo Regional District Low Mobility Trails | Distance: Varied
99 Mile one of many Accessible Trails via
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This “trail network features 25 wheelchair accessible trails located throughout the region.” – (www.cariboord.ca)
This network of beautiful trails in the interior of BC consists of a variety of landscapes. Regardless of one’s level mobility you have 8 trails choose from. Popular trails include the Horsefly Salmon Habitat Viewing Trail and the 99 Mile Low Mobility Trail.
If you’re lucky, you may even spot a former Canadian Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen! Rick is a frequent visitor to the area as he was raised in Williams Lake.
Don’t forget to share your experience by uploading your favourite photos to the CDR trail map here.
Sunshine Coast
Powell River
Inland Lake Provincial Park | Distance: 13 km
Inland Lake Park via Sunshine Coast Tourism
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In 1997, this recreational forest transformed into a radiant provincial park. It took two years to make this trail wheelchair-friendly, thanks to The Model Community Project for People with Disabilities. Along with a partnership with BC Parks, they were able to raise over 250K of funds for renovations.
Take the 13 km loop around the lake and cross flat boardwalks and bridges with ease. There are three cabins with wheelchair-accessible pit toilets and a fishing dock that is easily accessible at the beginning of the trail.
The Islands
Sechelt
Hidden Grove ‘Take it Easy’ Trail | Distance: 480 m
Take it Easy Trail via HiddenGroves.ca
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Sechelt’s first accessible trail leads you into the heart of the Hidden Grove.
Fun fact: the purple trail—known as the ‘ayut-tsut’ trail—translates to ‘take it easy’ from the Sechelt language.
With a 5-foot-wide surface and gentle grades, this trail is a smooth ride through a mystical forest full of gigantic old growth trees and mushrooms.
The Shíshálh Nation have been harvesting the bark to make traditional baskets, ornaments, and clothing for many years. The Hidden Grove carries a story of survival with it. It has bounced back from several wildfires and was recently scheduled to be logged. But the local community of Sechelt united to save their beloved forest, and their efforts proved successful.
More info at:
VancouverTrails.com; HiddenGroves.ca; TrailForks.com; islandcoastaltrust.ca
Hidden Grove ‘Monty’s Way’ Trail | Distance: 480 m
Monty’s Way via HiddenGroves.ca
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Monty’s Way is the second accessible trail that resides in the Hidden Grove. This trail honours Bob D’Arcy’s (Sechelt Groves Society President) loyal Springer spaniel, Monty.
Over the years, Bob began experiencing leg problems. That is when Monty trained himself to clear sticks and branches without any command. “Monty did not just pickup a stick and carry it. He picked it up and took it well off the trail … He often tackled branches and whole trees much too large for him or even Bob, but it was fun to watch.” (Why Monty’s Way?).
A day after the Take It Easy accessibility trail opened, Monty passed away. As Monty built the trail his way, they named it Monty’s Way in commemoration.
Vancouver Island
Malahat SkyWalk | Distance: 2.2km
Malahat Skywalk via victoriatourismguide.com
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Malahat SkyWalk is a new, accessible outdoor experience located just 35 minutes north of Victoria. Visitors journey through the forest along the elevated TreeWalk and up the spectacular Spiral Tower for a stunning 360-degree view of the islands, inlets, forests, and mountains in BC and Washington. On the way down, you can choose your route: take the ramp or zoom down the 20-metre spiral slide.
Located on the traditional territory of the Malahat nation, their Indigenous stories are embedded in the visitor experience.
Strathcona Provincial Park| Vancouver Island | Distance: Varied
Strathcona Park via BCParks.ca
Accessible traits:
- Power chairs and standard wheelchair Accessibility
Strathcona Provincial Park offers TrailRiders, unique single tire “wheelchairs” designed to facilitate outdoor recreation for individuals with physical disabilities.
Its Centennial Loop trail is about 2 km long, featuring both boardwalk and hard-packed gravel sections with no steps, as well as a low gradient.
Naikoon Provincial Park’s ‘Misty Meadows’ Trail | Haida Gwaii North | Distance: Varied
Naikoon Park via BCParks.ca
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*This includes lookout points, outhouses, and all water taps |
As a historic village of the Haida Nation, Naikoon holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. Remains of settlements and food gathering sites can be seen throughout the park.
This park has a unique mixture of coastal temperate rainforest ecosystems, wetlands and bogs, sand dunes, and approximately 100 km of beaches. Uncover its rich cultural history and thick forest scenery.
Don’t forget to check out the spectacular blowhole lookout at Tow Hill Trail—This attraction is universally accessible!