Trans Canada Trail, Burnaby

Also known as The Heights Trail, this route takes walkers from North Burnaby to the eastern edge of Vancouver. Because the trail is so well covered by trees, it’s not until the temperature drops and leaves have all fallen that you can truly appreciate the expansive views that this trail offers of the North Shore, Burrard Inlet and Capitol Hill. It’s one trail where the views may actually be better in winter than in other seasons.

GETTING THERE
Start at Confederation Park, located in North Burnaby near the north end of Willingdon Avenue. To access the trail, the parking lot nearest the lawn bowling green is most convenient, so head north on Willingdon until you reach Penzance Dr. and make a right turn. You’ll see the parking lot almost immediately on your right. The trail starts just across the street at the corner of Penzance and Willingdon. If driving is not your thing, the route is also easy to access on transit.

TERRAIN

Wide, compact gravel paths with short paved sections. Expect a mix of sun and shade since the first half is exposed while the second half is almost completely shaded by trees. The trail gently slopes downward as it travels west gradually getting steeper as it enters Vancouver.

STROLLER RECOMMENDATION

Umbrella, all-terrain or anything in between.

LENGTH

Departing from the lawn bowling green parking lot, the trail runs less than 2.5 km to take you all the way to the eastern edge of Vancouver just underneath the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. To complete the entire trail at a leisurely pace in and out with play stops, plan for about 1.5 hours.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES

Confederation Park has just about any family-friendly amenity imaginable, including washrooms (with change tables), playgrounds, sports fields, a library, and more. Along the trail you’ll find benches, a playground (including toddler equipment), and picnic tables – because who doesn’t love a picnic?

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS

Take in a few of the interpretive signs along the way highlighting area history and ecology.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The Heights neighbourhood offers great shopping along Hastings St. In the warmer months, the miniature train at the Burnaby Central Railway is a hit with kids (and parents too). Confederation Park itself is worth a visit even in the winter months since it’s home to so many kid-friendly indoor activities at the pool and library.

GOOD TO KNOW

Just as the trail approaches the Ironworkers’ Memorial Bridge, you’ll come to a spot where trains enter and exit a tunnel that takes them under the northern part of Burnaby. Who knew!

IMPORTANT: Any adventure in the outdoors carries a certain level of risk. The route information and maps contained in this blog are provided as rough guidelines only and are based on just one person's experience. Baby Meets Trail and its authors are not responsible for any harm that may occur while attempting one of the posted walks. We will, however, take credit if you have an excellent time!

Burnaby Lake: Cottonwood Trail, Burnaby

Before we had a child, Burnaby Lake was one of the walks we did quite often. In fact, back when I used to be able to call myself a "runner" and keep a straight face, I used to hit this trail at least once a week. What's great about this trail is that simply by parking at a different lot, your experience can be different each and every visit. Overall the trail is 11 km long, so for our purposes, I'm chopping it into three distinct sections.

The first section is Cottonwood Trail stretching from the Burnaby Sports Complex to the Nature House at Piper Ave. The trail is quite popular with joggers, walkers and dogwalkers so expect to share a few friendly greetings along the way.

GETTING THERE

From Vancouver, take Highway 1 eastbound to Exit 32, Sprott Street. Travel along Sprott and at the first lights, turn left to cross over the highway overpass. At Kensington Avenue go straight and turn left at the stop sign. Immediately turn right into the parking lot by the sports fields. The trail starts along the edge of the sports fields beyond the Rugby Club.

This portion of the trail can also be accessed fairly easily on transit, either by bus or Skytrain (Sperling-Burnaby Lake station).

TERRAIN

Running along the north side of the lake itself, the wide, flat trails take you under the shady cover of trees. The trail surface is mostly bark mulch and compact gravel with short sections of wooden bridges. Unfortunately, there aren't really any good looping options so it's just an in-and-out route. In spots the trail takes you straight out to water's edge or over bridges for beautiful views of the lake and plenty of opportunities to see what's in the water.

STROLLER RECOMMENDATION

Any type of stroller can manage, however, the trail can get quite soft after a rainfall (it is on a bog after all). Strollers with smaller wheels may have a tougher time getting through the muck.

LENGTH

This stretch of trail is 2.6 km long so plan for about an hour for a return trip - longer if you take advantage of the viewing tower or the Nature House.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES

This section of the Burnaby Lake trail includes a couple of viewing points and the Nature House. There is a playground near the Burnaby Sports Complex as well as washrooms at both ends of the trail. Unfortunately, only the washrooms at the Nature House have a change table. There are a few picnic tables located behind the Nature House which would be an idyllic spot for a lunch break before heading back to the car. The Nature House itself is a great family-friendly feature in that it has some lots of interpretive displays for kids and parents to interact with as well as knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions. Even small babies would enjoy a leisurely wheel around the gardens out front.

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS

If you make it up the viewing tower, expect to see expansive views of the entire lake. If you're lucky, you may see some wildlife during your visit.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

There is a swimming pool, ice rink, soccer fields and rugby fields at the west end of the lake.

GOOD TO KNOW

There are no benches along the trail so don't plan on resting along the way. Bird feeding is permitted only at Piper Spit (near the Nature House). Dogs must be leashed. Take only photographs, leave only footprints (or stroller wheel impressions as the case may be).


View Burnaby Lake: Cottonwood Trail, Burnaby in a larger map
IMPORTANT: Any adventure in the outdoors carries a certain level of risk. The route information and maps contained in this blog are provided as rough guidelines only and are based on just one person's experience. Baby Meets Trail and its authors are not responsible for any harm that may occur while attempting one of the posted walks. We will, however, take credit if you have an excellent time!

Deer Lake Park, Burnaby

The epitome of calm and serenity nestled right in the heart of Burnaby, Deer Lake Park is, quite simply, a walker’s dream. During the warmer months, the park is popular with concert-goers, walkers, joggers, picnickers, birdwatchers, nature-lovers, boaters and horticultural enthusiasts. The looping trails and beautiful setting are what make Deer Lake Park a stroller-friendly walk not to be missed.

GETTING THERE

From Highway 1, take the Kensington South turnoff. Turn west on Canada Way and follow the signs to Deer Lake Park.

TERRAIN

Wide paths, minimal hills, mostly compact gravel with short sections of wooden boardwalk or paved road (minimal traffic). Expect a mix of covered forest and open grassy meadows.

STROLLER RECOMMENDATIONS

Umbrella, all-terrain or anything in between.

LENGTH

The trail around the lake can easily be done in about an hour with the option to extend your walk by taking the loop trails at the west end of the park.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES

A small beach, washrooms (no change tables), playground equipment (swings and climbing apparatus only), benches, and picnic tables.

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS

Docks and ponds for viewing frogs and turtles, plenty of bird watching opportunities, flower gardens, beautiful views of Deer Lake and the North Shore mountains in the distance.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Art Gallery, and Burnaby Village Museum.

GOOD TO KNOW

Dogs are not allowed in the beach or picnic areas around the lake.



View Deer Lake in a larger map

IMPORTANT: Any adventure in the outdoors carries a certain level of risk. The route information and maps contained in this blog are provided as rough guidelines only. The walks written about on Baby Meets Trail are based on just one person's experience. Baby Meets Trail and its authors are not responsible for any harm that may occur while trying one of the posted walks. We will, however, take credit if you have an awesome time!