Where to Go This Weekend? Vancouver's Perfect Hiking Alternative! 🌲🚶
Hayward Lake is one of Metro Vancouver's most popular water recreation spots. Thanks to its reservoir nature, the water is typically calm—perfect for kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding. But popularity comes at a cost: parking is a nightmare! 🚗 Parking lot full? No worries—you came all this way, so let's HIKE instead! ### 🌿 Hayward Reservoir Trail - Full loop: ~16km round trip - Shorter option: Turn back at the white arrow marker (~9km) ### 🥾 Trail Highlights - First 800m: Look for the Steelhead Falls sign (140m detour)—a serene waterfall oasis! 🌊 - Mid-trail: Listen to distant laughter from swimmers across the lake... *sigh*. But as you go further, the crowds fade, leaving just nature's soundtrack. - White arrow viewpoint: Great photo spot! 📸 - Optional extension: Continue to Harisine Inlet floating bridge (but it's currently removed due to dam upgrades). Since the views beyond aren't spectacular, we recommend turning back early . ### ⚠️ Must-Know Tips 1️⃣ Wear long pants —some sections are overgrown (hello, plant scratches!). 2️⃣ Sunscreen up! Even with tree cover, UV rays sneak through. 3️⃣ Bug spray = non-negotiable. Trust us, the mosquitoes are *relentless*. 🦟 4️⃣ Pack 1L+ water + snacks —energy dips happen! 5️⃣ Bear spray advised. We spotted fresh *"bear evidence"*... better safe than sorry! 🐻 Wishing you all a fantastic weekend adventure! 🌞 #WeekendVibes #HikingTrails #VancouverHikes #NoParkingNoProblem #ExploreBC #NatureEscapes #WaterfallHikes #BearAware #OutdoorAdventures #WeekendWarrior