Burnaby Mountain

Located on the top of Burnaby Mountain in the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area just 40 minutes from Vancouver, Simon Fraser University has a network of multi-use trails that stretch all across its campus. The southeastern side of the mountain has steeper trails that are much better suited to mountain bikes, but these trails do allow hikers as well. Some of the trails have been around for many years, while other have been added more recently. They range from easy to moderate for both climbing and descending, while some of the more difficult trails have some wooden features and steeps.

From the parking area on the main hill, the climb begins for a few hundred meters on the road until the trail to Sidewinder appears on the right. The trail is well posted and well groomed with a few switchbacks that make the climb quite easy. Linking up to Mel's Trail sends you across the mountain with some great flowing ups and downs, but it does have a couple of really steep gullies to maneuver. Nicole's is one of the original trails that has seen some care and now runs more like a blue square. The trail is a bit rough and still has an old-school and technical feel with tree rides and steep rock gardens. Nicole's brings you out to the parking area, and another quick climb gets you up to sidewinder and back to Mel's.

Riding Mel's for the second time lets you speed up because you know where to carry speed. Gearjammer crosses Mel's near the end and begins to descend quickly. Steep and technical, Lower Gearjammer and Uppercut run fast and may have some deep puddles to avoid in certain seasons. Lower Snake mellows out and winds down the mountain over forest-covered ridges and thick ferns before eventually leading you back out to the main road.

There are many trails on the SFU campus on Burnaby Mountain. If you have the time and energy, it is easy to spend the entire day here exploring new routes and loops.