The Arbutus Routes - Paved Pathway and Crushed Gravel Valley Loop (Easiest) route

This route is a simple guide, directions can change with interpretation. If you're unsure about directions or difficulty we highly encourage you to grab a guide on one of our daily Singletrack Tours.

Make your way to the junction of Blackcomb Way and Lorimer Road, taking the entrance to the Valley trail. Once on the Valley trail take a left at the first ‘T’ which will take you to Passivhaus. From Passivhaus take a right and follow the ‘lost lake loop trail’ under a large wooden archway as it turns to gravel. Follow the ‘Lost lake loop’ gravel road keeping to the right and ignoring the trails to your left. You will pass a small bridge on your right, keep going until the next sharp turn down to your right along ‘beach cut’, cross a small bridge and enjoy the views at lost lake beach.

Pass the beach and go left to join the ‘Lost lake loop trail’. Follow the gravel trail keeping the lake on your left as you pass a number of small beaches. Keep to the right at the next 2 junctions passing under a large wooden bridge called ‘Elephant Bridge’. You will join Old Mill Road and descend towards a 3 way junction with a portable toilet and area maps, go left at this point down ‘Old Mill Road’. At the next junction go right, and then keep left until you descend to a bridge and information board.

Cross the bridge and head left towards the golf course, turn right at the driving range and cross the railway line to follow the ‘Valley trail’ around Nicklaus North Golf Club and Green lake. When you approach a small bridge take the right to continue North to the traffic lights at Alpine Way road.

At the traffic lights cross directly over to the ‘Valley Trail’ and take a left towards Meadow Park sport center. As you pass the sport center you will see a ‘canoe x-ing’ sign and a bridge, go right here to follow the trail past a rec and baseball area. As you pass a water fountain at the next junction go left and be aware of many trail users on the blind bends.

Follow the Valley Trail as it crosses a railway line where you have the option of visiting Rainbow Park if you head right. If you decide to you can return to this point from Rainbow Park, or continue on to the left.

Continue up to the left of ‘Lorimer Road’ following the ‘Valley Trail’ as it climbs next to the road. Go left at the stop sign at the top. As you meet a second stop sign and the highway 99, cross straight over to follow the trail down ‘Nancy Greene Drive’.

Before the first bridge you will descend down to the left to take the ‘Fitzimmons Trail’ right, heading back under the bridge and along the river South. Look out on the right for some of the oldest growth trees in the valley along here.

Keep left on the ‘Fizimmons trail’ for a couple of junctions until you cross over the Fitzimmons Creek, you are now back at Passivhaus and can head back to the ‘Upper Village from here.