Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site
Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site
Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site is a region known for its dense forests, serene lakes, and a significant grove of ancient old-growth cedar trees. The landscape features a mix of forested trails, some gentle and others more challenging, alongside gravel access roads. This diverse terrain makes the area suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and more.
Outdoor enthusiasts visiting Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation…
79
Routes
4.4
(179)
Average rating
2804
People visited

4.6
(8)
114
hikers
16.3km
05:49
890m
890m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(3)
24
hikers
4.67km
01:17
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
hikers
23.4km
09:03
1,420m
1,430m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3.54km
01:27
290m
290m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
254
riders
20.6km
01:49
250m
250m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
158
riders
20.8km
01:27
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(6)
131
riders
35.5km
02:22
440m
440m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.0
(2)
59
riders
14.9km
00:57
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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36
riders
11.8km
01:27
580m
580m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

24
riders
23.8km
01:56
510m
510m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

29
riders
8.85km
01:02
290m
290m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

19
riders
18.4km
02:01
740m
740m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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17
riders
16.7km
00:44
120m
120m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

27
riders
25.5km
01:28
300m
300m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

8
riders
22.0km
01:05
220m
220m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

14
riders
19.9km
00:56
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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30
runners
11.2km
01:10
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
26
runners
14.2km
01:29
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
runners
23.7km
03:48
1,190m
1,190m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

14
runners
12.0km
01:16
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site offers various outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. The area features diverse terrain suitable for exploring trails and gravel roads. More information on hiking can be found in the guide Hiking in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site.
The Ancient Cedars Trail is a popular 3.1-mile (5 km) loop trail known for its old-growth cedar trees, some estimated to be 1,000 years old. It is rated as intermediate difficulty and typically takes about 2 hours to complete. The trail includes an elevation gain of 574 feet (175 meters).
Trails in the recreation site range from easy to intermediate difficulty. The Ancient Cedars Trail is considered intermediate, while some trails around the Showh Lakes are easier. A more challenging, unmarked trail leads to Newt Lake. Guides like Easy hikes in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site provide options for various skill levels.
The primary natural highlight is the grove of ancient old-growth cedar trees, some approximately 1,000 years old. The site also encompasses the serene Showh Lakes, Cougar Lake, and the remote Newt Lake. A small waterfall is visible along a creek on the Ancient Cedars Trail, as detailed in Waterfall hikes in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site.
Yes, the recreation site offers family-friendly hiking options, particularly around the Showh Lakes. These trails are generally easier and provide a pleasant experience for families. Specific routes can be found in the guide Family-friendly hikes in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site.
Yes, the Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site is dog-friendly. Visitors can bring their dogs to explore the trails and natural areas. It is recommended to keep dogs under control and follow all posted regulations.
The area is well-suited for mountain biking, with trails like the Ancient Cedars Trail being accessible for both hikers and mountain bikers. The broader Cougar Mountain area is popular for mountain biking. Explore routes in MTB Trails in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site.
The gravel access road, Cougar Mountain Forest Service Road, is suitable for robust touring bikes. The site also offers general cycling and road cycling opportunities. Guides such as Cycling in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site and Road Cycling Routes in Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site provide more details.
Komoot users have rated the Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site highly, with an average rating of 4.53 out of 5 stars. More than 23,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the region.
The Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site offers a remote and secluded experience. There are no direct amenities such as cafes, pubs, or accommodation within the recreation site itself. Visitors should plan accordingly for food, water, and lodging outside the immediate area.
The access road to the trailhead is Cougar Mountain Forest Service Road, which is a gravel road. While accessible by most cars in summer, it can be rough. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended to reach the lakes, especially during certain conditions.
Official information for the Showh Lakes-Ancient Cedars Trail Recreation Site is available on the Recreation Sites and Trails BC platform. The official website is sitesandtrailsbc.ca.

