Velodrome Trail

Sometimes called Burnaby's Grind, the Velodrome Trail climbs steeply from the Barnet on the north side of Burnaby Mountain and arrives at the Japanese totem poles at Horizons Restaurant. Hikers walk up more than 500 wooden steps before the trail joins with the Pandora Trail for the rest of the route to the top.

The trailhead is located at the northeast corner of the Velodrome. To get to the trailhead, walk from the gravel parking lot to the traffic lights, then cross the street and walk up the driveway. At the first opportunity, go left and walk in front of the Velodrome to the far end where a gravel trail heads into the forest, marking the start of your climb.

The initial trail climbs gradually over the rocky terrain and before long, you reach a junction with the the Mountain Air Trail. Go right and continue uphill as the first set of wooden stairs begins. There is a brief section of dirt trail before things get steep with lots of wooden stairs. Continue walking up the stairs, stopping to occasionally look back at glimpses Burrard Inlet between the trees.

After hiking up more than 500 stairs, the trail levels and reaches a junction with the Pandora Trail. Go left and pass another junction a few meters beyond and follow the trail at a more gradual rate. Not much further and the trail opens up into a clearing as you walk up a steep gravel section. The trail veers right at a rock and, just past a large tree, the Japanese totem poles come into view. Keep going as the trail weaves back and then one last uphill brings you to the top behind Horizons Restaurant where there are several viewpoints looking out at Indian Arm and Burrard Inlet.

After you've enjoyed the views, you can retrace your steps back downhill, making sure to turn right onto the Velodrome Trail and descend down the wooden stairs back to the Barnet.