Hiking, biking + birding: Get Outside in Abbotsford this Fall

Although the days are getting shorter and cooler, there are still lots of opportunities to get outside in Abbotsford’s abundant parks and trails. Getting into the great outdoors is one of the safest and most relaxing activities we can partake in right now, and with more than 2,584 acres of parkland, there’s an outdoor space and activity for everyone to enjoy in Abbotsford.

Get Your Steps In

If the most walking you did over the past couple of months was from the living room to the kitchen, that’s okay! We’ve rounded up the most popular walking trails in Abbotsford and included the average amount of steps you’ll get so you know exactly which one to check out to get the most bang for your buck.

The Discovery Trail stretches throughout Abbotsford, so you can really pack in a lot of steps if you choose to do the whole thing. But if you’re short on time, we’ve broken it into sections!

• Gardner Park to Clearbrook Park – 4.6km, 6,036 steps
• Gladwin Park to Willband Creek Park – 3.3km, 4,330 steps
• Hazelwood Cemetery to Lower Sumas Mt. Park – 6.2km, 8,136 steps
• Lower Sumas Mt. Park to McKay Creek Trail – 5.5km, 7,217 steps

Enjoy a leisurely 6km walk along the Fraser River on the well-groomed trails at Matsqui Trail Regional Park. This flat and low-level hike gives visitors views of riverbanks overlooking Mission, tranquil farmland and the surrounding Cascade mountains. The full length of the trail roundtrip is 26.9km and roughly 35,301 steps. A shorter section can be done from the entrance of the Matsqui Regional Park to the Abbotsford-Mission bridge and back for just over 6km and 8,398 steps.

Located in central Abbotsford with multiple parking lots, Mill Lake is a very accessible trail. Enjoy the flat, paved 2.3km trail circling the lake at your own pace, with ample benches providing spots to rest or to simply admire the beauty of nature! This walk will get you 3,018 steps!

Hiking & Mountain Biking

If you’re looking for more adventure in your outdoor activities, head to Sumas Mountain Regional Park, a 1,471-hectare park with multiple trails. The Chadsey Lake Trail and Eastern Valley Lookout Trail are popular with intermediate-level hikers and offer spectacular views of the Fraser Valley. Mountain biking is also popular here, with the Fraser Valley Mountain Biking Association working hard to maintain trails and jumps for bikers.

Birding

Another user group that call Abbotsford’s outdoors home are rare birds! With its fields, forests, wetlands and mountains, Abbotsford has a range of habitats that makes it the perfect place to see a variety of both rare and common birds. The BC Bird Trail is a new online resource and trip-planning tool that connects locals and visitors with information on birdwatching destinations and activities in Abbotsford and across BC. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a beginner, this new initiative aims to engage birders at all experience levels, making it easier to plan engaging trips throughout the province to discover the joys and benefits of birdwatching. Willband Creek Park and Fishtrap Creek Park are two excellent spots to start your birding adventure!