Comments

Raj from Fort Langley writes:

***BE CAREFUL - BEAR ENCOUNTER***

The park is absolutely beautiful. However, I had a scary experience about three or four minutes away from the parking lot. I decided to go off the main trail and climb up a hill in the woods. It sort of looked like people have climbed up that way before, that's why I decided to see if I could challenge myself to climb up a little bit, and then planned to return to the trail.

I had my head down because the terrain was rocky, and suddenly heard a snarl/growl. I looked up, and there was a bear less than 15 feet away from me! It was a Black bear standing on his hind legs. All the lessons I've learned about bears went out the window. I quickly just turned around and ran down the steep hill full speed, tripped and fell twice. Luckily it didn't chase.

The lesson I learned is to stay on the main trail. I also think it's safer to go in a group rather than by yourself. Be safe!

Posted: April 25, 2021 10:20:33 PM PST

Mark A Ward from Coquitlam writes:

A beautiful spot to hike at any time of the year but the round trip is definitely not 10km. I traced it at about 5.5 km. Still worth the walk and the variety of scenery from forest to lake and all the wildlife.

Posted: March 4, 2021 04:56:42 PM PST

Alyssa from Surrey writes:

I absolutely loved this hike. Went in May 2019 and it checks so many boxes. It has some incline, it has some tree roots, it has a lovely view at the top of high knoll, it has a great lake/pond/marsh area where we saw thousands of tadpoles and lots of bird species. So much variety in one hike. Bears are well known for hiking this trail so use caution.

Posted: July 4, 2019 03:34:27 PM PST

HB from Coquitlam writes:

Beautiful at the high knoll viewpoint particularly on a sunny Oct day, the earth is alike a colorful painting

BE AWARE OF BEAR though
The black bear was on trail for 15 mins and I had to wait and watch him.. I dared not pass so close to him.

Posted: October 10, 2018 11:49:35 AM PST

Karen Burke from Vancouver writes:

Note that the driving directions on this site are incorrect. After you take exit 44 you only drive for afew minutes before you turn left onto Coast Meridian. DO NOT drive the 10km as instructed....it might be 3km at most.

Posted: September 4, 2018 03:01:19 PM PST

Kristina from New Westminster writes:

This hike is very beautiful. The forest looks magical and the view from the knoll is amazing. The climb up to the knoll is pretty intense but other that it's a fairly easy hike. Went there on July 25, 2018 and saw two black bears. One was on the Mid Marsh Trail and the other one was on the Quary Trail. Both of them were fairly close to us and saw us but paid us no mind.

Posted: July 26, 2018 09:01:02 AM PST

Taylor from Vancouver writes:

Easy hike. Not very crowded. Nice view over the meadow.

Posted: June 22, 2018 10:12:41 PM PST

JJ from Vancouver writes:

Hiked this family-friendly trail twice in July with our kids (7 and 5). Each time we used different trails and reached to high knoll. What a wonderful view up there! Definitely a very good view/effort ratio. Our kids can easily do it independently each way. Highly recommended!
Note: this park is known for its frequency bear sightings though we didn't encounter any of them when we went there.

Posted: July 26, 2017 08:02:59 PM PST

Annie from Vancouver writes:

An easy hike that we found to be a lot quieter than others the Vancouver area. Saw two baby cubs on our way back to the parking lot (between junction 7 & 8 possibly) right by a tree on the path. The cubs looked toward us but did not react and we backed up and then continued to double back until we saw a group of three. The five of us then headed back out towards the lot and instead of the cubs, saw a large black bear laying facing away from us near the path. A bit startling but we were not approached.

Posted: July 4, 2017 09:56:43 PM PST

Patrick from Surrey, BC writes:

Wonderful hike with my sister. We did the Quarry Trail clockwise from the parking lot, then up the High Knoll trail for lunch and an a awesome view, just down from the good view point.Then took the Mid-Marsh trail back to the parking lot. It was an hour to the look out, ate a nice lunch then about 50 minutes back to the car. We saw no bears, but others have seen a few bears around so be bear aware.

Posted: June 19, 2017 07:55:53 PM PST

Bernadette from Port Coquitlam writes:

NOT SAFE FOR TODDLERS!

This is our second time at this park, and although beautiful-- little kids (there were three in our group of 10 adults) love to throw rocks (on the main trail) into the swamp water. With the lure of frogs to catch kids eyes, in a BLINK a child could fall in, and surrounded by the tall grass -- that situation could be deadly. Which happened to us. Less than a foot from a parent's leg and reach, a sturdy 3 year-year-old toppled into the water which looked like a shallow part after wanting to look closer at a frog-- with three adults now in the water to save this little girl-- it was clear it was VERY DEEP in that they couldn't touch the ground. This little girl was full submerged, and now slippery with muck from the pond--. This could have been prevented with guard rails, or even signage-- that this is very dangerous, that the water is very deep-- we would have carried the kids through this area.

Posted: May 20, 2017 09:19:43 PM PST

Lion Tamer from Vancouver writes:

Did this one February 10th.

What an amazing park! We went in the morning where the marsh was partially frozen and covered in fog, it was a real spectacle. Definitely do every viewpoint, they're all worth it.

This time of year the trail was covered in both snow and fallen trees, but we were able to do the whole trail. Didn't see much wildlife, just a couple birds.

Posted: February 11, 2017 12:38:54 PM PST

Ashley from Vancouver writes:

*BEWARE OF HIGH RISK CAR THEFT*

My car got broken into and so did the car next to mine in the parking lot for this trail. Looked professional and like it was a set up. Just a warning that this may be a recurring thing here.

Apart from that we enjoyed the hike and the lake.

Posted: December 4, 2016 07:40:38 PM PST

K from BC writes:

Hi have always enjoyed this hike. My kids love to come here and walk the dog. I do think it's a pretty easy hike however it does have it's challenging areas with some steep inclines through rock and roots which can be difficult if you are not watching where your feet go. The High Knoll look out climb definitely could take your breath away if you are not good with inclines on uneven terrain. If you just take your time and stop to catch your breath it is well worth going to the top for the look out. Pack a snack and sit and enjoy.

I do have a bear bell and loud kids so we have never come across a bear but we have seen snakes, beavers and birds. Do keep your dogs on leash though, small dogs are easy prey and large dogs get in the way on those narrow areas when your trying to go by an unleashed dog an no owner in site. There are no bathrooms on the trail or garbage cans so please come prepared to carry dog waste back to the entrances. Don't throw it in the bush once picked up in a bag...What is the point of picking it up then?

Posted: September 13, 2016 08:13:11 AM PST

Paula from Coquitlam writes:

Beautiful area, quiet, peaceful. Few good uphill climbs with fantastic views. Will be one of my regular places to go.

Posted: May 10, 2016 04:05:18 PM PST

Benjamin from Port Coquitlam writes:

Beautiful trail.
Good length and difficulty level combination.
The reward you get from high knoll is amazing comparing the amount of sweat.

Only concern is the dog owners who let there aggressive or high anxious dogs running around without leashing them. It is highly populated black bear trail. Normally, they are safe but they are not safe if your dogs are around cubs or bark.

LEASH YOUR DOG.

Posted: May 1, 2016 03:02:12 PM PST

Steven Bridge (Vice-Chair, Webmaster, Minnekhada Park Association) from Qualicum Beach writes:

For history, maps and more, see our website at http://www.minnekhada.ca/history.html.

Posted: April 6, 2016 05:50:06 PM PST

Christine from Vancouver writes:

I was there on April 2, 2016 and it was fantastic. There are enough hills to get your heart pumping and enough flat sections to allow you to catch your breath. Given the variety of trails, you can make this as long or as short as you want. The final trek up to High Knoll was challenging for a start-of-season hike but it was well worth it.

Posted: April 4, 2016 01:41:46 PM PST

Lata from Coquitlam writes:

Went here on Easter Monday on a beautiful sunny day. Really lovely area where you can actually see and hear the wildlife. You get a really nice view up the top of high knoll and would be a lovely spot to have some lunch at. It gets quite rocky and rooty as you go up but it definitely makes the trail interesting. You will also get quite hot as its a bit of a work out going up so wear light clothing if you are going in the spring or summer time.

Note – pick the times you go as the car park gets quite full. If its full you may have to park on the street.

Posted: March 28, 2016 04:22:30 PM PST

Franklin Badeek from Maple Ridge writes:

Very enjoyable hour-and-a-half long hike but I was spooked quite badly with a black bear encounter near the marsh/lake part right at the end of the hike. I didn't see the two rather large until they were about 40 metres away. First bear encounter of my life. They strolled off the trail but I wasn't taking any chances. I doubled back and took the roadways back to my car. Just a heads up to those who haven't done this trail before.

Posted: September 16, 2015 01:04:36 PM PST

jag from van writes:

Not an easy hike, especially if you go on high knoll. BE AWARE OF THE BEARS AND THEIR CUBS. good hike none the less.

Posted: August 2, 2015 10:30:34 PM PST

Robyn Petrik from Port Coquitlam writes:

Beautiful area! We hiked a total of 9km in Minnekhada today, which took us about 2 hours (not including breaks). Some sections were steep, and there was lots of loose rocks and exposed roots. You definitely want to be paying attention to where you're stepping. The path to High Knoll was the toughest bit, about 15 minutes of uphill. The view is gorgeous though! You get to look down on the marshes, the Tricities, and Pitt River. It was rather smoggy when we were there, but I'm sure that on a clear day, you'd see Mount Baker and more.

Posted: August 2, 2015 07:28:49 PM PST

Scott from New Westminster writes:

This is my favorite place to go! I took my 71 year old mother to the park to see the bears. We saw one within a minute of arriving. It was just sitting in the middle of bear alley. Not long after that we could hear bear horns going off in the park. Let's just say mom wanted to stay in the car!

Posted: July 23, 2015 02:06:39 PM PST

Courtney from Delta writes:

This is an awesome park! Ventured up to the high knoll today, the low knoll, and then returned to the Quarry Road lot on the southern trails. We saw a bear on the way up to the high knoll. It kind of tumbled out of the foliage and its head popped up. We backed off down the trail and ran into a family not far behind us. They had loud kids and bear bells so we followed them back up towards the knoll and didn't see the bear again. Also saw some frogs, snakes, and herons on our adventure. An excellent place to explore.

Posted: July 20, 2015 09:49:09 PM PST

Tom from Johnson writes:

Great trails. This map seems to be missing the northern trail that comes up on the high knoll from the north-west. It skirts the northern marsh and heads uphill from there, some of it pretty steep but trail is good.

Posted: July 18, 2015 03:08:30 PM PST

Barry Anderson from Poco writes:

I saw a brown bear and two large cubs today right on the trail near the quarry road parking lot so be aware

Posted: May 27, 2015 09:50:06 PM PST

Ted Mann from West Vancouver writes:

Yesterday around 5 pm walking the trails we noticed fresh bear droppings on the trail not far from Quarry Rd.
Surely enough after walking for less than a hundred meters there he was. A big bear walking on trail same direction like us.
The bear heard us, turned and at the same time we started walking back from where we came and walked out of the park on a shortest path.
So be bear aware.

Posted: May 18, 2015 08:57:07 AM PST

teresa walker from port Moody writes:

I'd suggest the rating be changed from easy to intermediate given the exposed tree roots, loose rocks & steepness of the climbs. A rewarding view once you get to the top of High Knoll!

Posted: February 22, 2015 08:26:37 PM PST

Emilyy from New Westminster writes:

The High Knoll is an awesome hike. A couple sections do require a bit of scrambling up rock, but mostly the trail is pretty even and easy. The marsh is amazing, the beavers always get annoyed and splash the water. If you're lucky like I was, you'll see some baby beavers.
Although not advised by the Park, this trail is an awesome night hike. The view from the High Knoll at night is so cool. Be careful of bears, as there are always a lot in the area especially around the farmland before the park.

Posted: February 21, 2015 01:39:04 PM PST

Christine from Vancouver writes:

This was quite a hike over all kinds of roots, rocks, muddy sections and slippery steep terrain, especially getting up to High Knoll. This is definitely not "easy" as categorized and I was shocked to see someone wearing casual sandals (which given the easy rating, I could see how someone could be misled on what footwear to wear). There were some nerve-wracking sections where you could have easily twisted an ankle or something. Given the terrain, I would definitely recommend hiking boots.

Also, there were LOTS of mosquitoes so insect repellant is a good idea.

The view at the top of High Knoll is fantastic on a clear day.

Posted: July 2, 2014 10:28:24 AM PST

Kiki Berg from Langley writes:

Watch for bears chasing off leash dogs. On the weekend a dog surprised a bear on the trail and was chased back toward it's owners. When the owners screamed, the bear promptly turned around. Not sure if it was a momma bear or what. Be aware.

Posted: June 17, 2014 04:21:56 PM PST

JEM from YVR writes:

Hey fellow hikers,
just a memo to say that I hiked the entire loop today (feb 11). took me two hours. was an awesome hike. little bit of a burn going up high knoll, the rest was an easy pace. high knoll is definitely worth the work (10-15 mins uphill). no bears, few people on the trails. many dogs off-leash, but were all tame & super friendly. I saw three seniors hiking it too so its obviously feasible for everyone. i'd rate it 4.5/5 ! perfect little day hike to clear the head.

cheers,

Posted: February 11, 2014 04:19:45 PM PST

Mistaya from Coquitlam writes:

This is my go to trail because no matter what kind of shape I am in it's something I can manage but still a work out. At a steady pace it's only about half an hour to the high knoll and usually a great view.
theft and smashed windows are a problem in the parking lot so make sure there are no valuables visible, purse, tools etc. because that is usually the case.

Posted: January 18, 2014 02:12:22 PM PST

Emily Dick from Maple Ridge writes:

Hiked the trail on Saturday during the Pineapple Express downpours. Other than a few flooded or muddy spots, was an excellent hike. If it's raining just wear the appropriate shoes and jacket to stay dry. Great views from the High Knoll even with the clouds.

Posted: March 5, 2013 08:29:23 AM PST

Ed and Izzi Marshall from Scrooby, Notts, UK writes:

Excellent walk in the sunshine (5 Nov 2012). Great views of ducks and red breasted sapsuckers and the country was breathtaking. Hope we can come again.....

Posted: November 5, 2012 04:37:33 PM PST

Heather from Steveston writes:

We hiked the trails in the pouring rain today and were SO disappointed to find that the little shelter at Addington Lookout is no longer there. We've been in the habit of saving Minnekhada for particularly rainy days and then bringing along a little stove to make a hot lunch in the shelter. Grilled cheese sandwiches were somewhat less satisfying when soggy from the rain. Anyone know what happened to the shelter? Will it be re-built?

Posted: November 3, 2012 04:44:56 PM PST

Maryse from Vancouver writes:

Visited this trail for the first time this afternoon - great for a sunny winter day! Most definitely worth the trek up the hill to the viewpoint. Didn't make it all the way around this time - daylight is at a premium, after all - but would definitely come back.

Posted: December 11, 2011 06:03:27 PM PST

C from Coquitlam writes:

This is beautiful place but our van was broken into the second time we went. Apparently it is quite common at this location. Be aware of people there who don't look like they belong as this is probably what they are there for.

Posted: September 17, 2011 04:47:53 PM PST

Adrian from North Vancouver writes:

Hiked the full loop around the park today (Sept 6th) including all the branches to lookouts and up both high and low knolls. Nice easy walking and not too strenous.

It's definitely bear season though, we saw one black bear in the middle of Victoria Dr while driving in, just before the road turns to gravel and some other hikers in the park warned me of one they had seen a short while ago on one of the trails. Be extra careful this time of year.

Also, I think I accidently left my dogs leash in the parking lot as I was getting him in the car, about 1/3 way down on left hand side. If anybody finds it please email me through Vancouver Trails. Thanks !

Posted: September 6, 2011 02:04:48 PM PST

Ben from Vancouver writes:

Today, we witnessed 6ft Grizzly at this park near beginning part of North shore trail. It didn't attack or growl at us but behaved differently from black bears that live here mostly. It didn't avoid us immediately and stared at us quite a while until we moved forward to pass. You need more attention to go to North shore route. as of June 12th 2011.

Posted: June 12, 2011 06:10:51 PM PST

Ben from port coquitlam writes:

I live close from here and I hike this trail 3 times a week in any type of weather condition. The trail is not 10km long. I would say total 10km including all out-branched trails. It is beautiful and easy (perfect for family hike age between 0-90: I witnessed 90 old lady to 3 months old baby). Some sections are steep but not killing like 'Grouse Grind'. Be careful of tree roots on steep sections. Be careful of bees in fall. Several thing you have to keep in mind. Don't litter!! I am seeing increasing amount of garbage around trail. Even beer bottles.... Respect. Don't smoke and litter butts during dry season. Don't feed wild animal. Don't go too close to black bears even though they are safe in this park. All these things are legally protected. Be sure. Other than these, just enjoy the trail~

Posted: January 14, 2011 09:23:37 AM PST

Linda from Burnaby writes:

Hiked the Minnekhada trails today. A great hike to do in the winter time with a great view of the area. The mountains were beautiful in the sunshine!

Posted: January 20, 2008 08:24:23 PM PST