My favourite hikes in the Fraser Valley

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I did not get into hiking until my second year of living in BC after I moved from Ontario. I had made friends with these two girls who were very into hiking. They went out almost every weekend and would showcase their beautiful pictures on Instagram making me in awe that that place is only half an hour from here? I felt as though I had to go with them and get a personal guide to some of BC’s most naturally beautiful attractions, while getting some exercise in and nice pictures along the way. They always chose the quicker hikes for me (I am not a eight hour hike type girl) but ones that would still pack a punch and leave me feeling out of breath and sweaty by the time we got to the top. Some of the places I went I would be regretting going immediately, thinking “how can I walk like this for another two hours”?  But the thoughts would leave as soon as I got to the end of the hike, where I would  bask in the glory of accomplishing something and to see how beautiful some of these locations were (and some places are out of this world)! Going on some of these hikes helped me get over my home sickness and replaced it with a deep gratitude for forests. It helped me establish myself as a BC girl (you know the kind that genuinely enjoys yoga and vegan meals) and it helped me connect with nature in a way that I never had before. 

We live in a truly beautiful province (I probably say that a lot)! Especially during this time of constant slumming it on the couch, it is a nice reminder to get out and see the gorgeous places BC has to offer. You don’t get it everywhere you live, some places you just have to wait for travelling to open up to get those stunning views like mountains dusted with snow peaking through clouds that are clear to you just walking down the street. We can take such advantage of the fact that we can drive 45 minutes out of the city and be instantly swallowed by mountains.

 It makes you wonder why not more people do it, but I get it, exercise can suck sometimes, so I have come up with a list of some of my favourite hikes that are well worth the exercise and located in and around Chilliwack BC. (Check out my next article for hikes around in and around Vancouver). 

Hopefully this will help you to reconnect with nature and escape (even just for a couple of hours) your house and the never ending cycle of bad news. Just a reminder to wait if these hikes are far away from you and social distance on the trails.

Elk Mountain, Chilliwack: I have to admit this hiker is more challenging and takes longer than the other hikes on this list. It’s 4 hours in total and is considered intermediate. It starts off easy but there is an incline that happens quickly. When hikes are considered intense or intermediate it’s usually because you are going to a lookout

Photo via cdn.smalltownexplorer.com/

where it is a mountain you are hiking up rather than a trail you are walking on. So the incline and altitude are more intense and can make a 2 hour hike feel like a 4 hour one. On this hike there are two lookouts, so if you are finding this hike challenging it’s better to take in the first view and save your body from distress, plus the view is just as beautiful as the top lookout. This hike can get even more challenging towards the end, it can get really steep so I recommend that you take your time. But the pay off is so sweet if you make it to the end. When I did this hike I remember my legs burning, I was literally panting, and drenched in sweat, but when I got to the top all I could do was stare. You are literally on top of the world, puffy clouds are at your feet, you are taller than some mountains in the area  and fields of green pastures stretch on underneath you looking the world was enveloped in a quilt. I swear it’s worth the pain, go check it out!

Lindeman Lake, Chilliwack: This hike is a good introduction to hiking, it’s 2 hours long and considered intermediate (although I would consider it to be more of a moderate level as there is less incline and it’s a lot faster.  The last time I went on this hike it was in the middle of October and fall was in full swing, orange and yellow leaves were falling like confetti. It felt like I woke up in my version of a fall dream. Coupled with the blue green water when you get to the end of your hike, you will be at a loss for words at how beautiful it is. There is also the option to continue further to other lake views including Greendrop Lake and Flora Lakes if you are wanting more workout time. 

Othello Tunnels, Hope: This hike due to COVID is not open right now but is well worth the wait. It’s  ranked easy, and it is, with no elevation or incline, you could wear jeans on this hike and be comfortable. While walking you see the turquoise Coquihalla River that runs beside you while you’re walking, but the main attraction is the tunnels themselves. These tunnels were originally built in the early 1900’s and constructed for railway access at the time. But you would be amazed that people created this. Now it is an amazing attraction that you won’t believe is so close to home, filled with tunnels, and rush miles above your head this hike is all about the journey, take every step in and please go once in your life, this place is beyond my own words.

Find my next article about my favourite hikes near Vancouver, if you are needing to stay closer to home.

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