The best MTB trails in the Coast Mountains

Edith Lake is a small lake tucked within the forested hills of the Garibaldi Highlands, surrounded by towering Douglas-fir and cedar evergreens, with views of the Tantalus Range and Coast Mountains in the background. The trails here are well-marked and easy to follow.

The trails here are a mix of gentle terrain and technical sections filled with roots and rocks, perfect for keeping your adrenaline pumping. The views are incredible, with breathtaking panoramas of the forest and mountains. The best part is the interconnectedness of the trails. You can start on the Baden Powell Trail and then explore famous routes that intertwine. The descents are challenging and exhilarating, and there's always a new natural obstacle to overcome. The nature here is pristine, perfect for disconnecting and enjoying the surroundings. Plus, everything is well-marked and maintained, so you don't have to worry about getting lost. There are multiple entry points, making route planning a breeze. If you're looking for adventure and nature, Vancouver's North Shore won't disappoint. See you on the trails!

Pseudo Tsuga, known as Douglas fir, is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae, native to North America, especially Canada. These trees, which can reach more than 100 meters in height, have thick bark, needle-like leaves and hanging cones with triangular scales. Major species include Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glaucous Douglas fir wood is valued for its strength and durability, used in construction and carpentry, and also in the paper industry. These trees grow in diverse soils and climates, providing habitat for local wildlife and playing an important role in ecology. Known for their rapid growth and adaptability, they are important for reforestation and conservation. Although not all species are threatened, it is crucial to conserve their natural habitats in the face of deforestation and climate change.

The Windfall Lake trail ends at this public use cabin, which overlooks the lake and comes with the use of a canoe. The trail up until this point can be quite muddy in the summer, but the muddiest spots have been graveled over to make for easier passage. If you were planning to bikepack the cabin it must be reserved in advance, for a fee, at recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232948. If you have not reserved the cabin, please do not disturb its occupants.

The trail does continue farther along the shore of Peterson Lake; however, that section of trail is particularly prone to flooding and muddy conditions during the summer, so it's generally considered a winter trail that is best for skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking if snow conditions are conducive. So for summer bikers, the Peterson Lake public use cabin is the logical end of the trail. The cabin itself is very popular and if you wanted to bikepack here it must be reserved in advance, for a fee: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232939

At this trail juncture, continuing south will keep you on the East Glacier Trail, although at this point you're on a collision course with the top of a large staircase that turns back most bikers. If you turn sharply east/southeast instead, you'll be setting out on the Nugget Creek Trail, which ends at an old Civilian Conservation Corps shelter, originally built in the early 1930s.

The East Glacier Trail actually forms a loop, but for mountain bikers it makes the best sense to come up this side, then turn back when you hit the top of a long staircase that's really a drag to carry your bike up or down. Expect to ride a mix of singletrack and hardened doubletrack here, and to dodge hikers and even guided hiking groups, especially during cruise ship days.

If you've come up the west side of the East Glacier Trail, the top of this staircase marks the logical place to turn around and retrace your route.