8 Ways to Get Outdoors in Coquitlam

August 15, 2022

5 min read

A person fishing on a rocky shore of a calm lake with trees reflected in the water and a group of people fishing on a dock in the background.

Coquitlam’s slogan is “Fun is in our nature”, and you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities in the city ranging from neighbourhood parks to wilderness areas. Here are eight ways to get outdoors in Coquitlam.

Go for a Hike

Coquitlam is home to lots of gorgeous hiking trails. We recommend the Minnekhada Loop in Minnekhada Regional Park. It wanders past marshes, through the forest, and visits a beautiful viewpoint. Use our Minnekaha Loop trail guide for step-by-step directions. Other popular hikes include Woodland Walk in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park and the flat trails at Colony Farm Regional Park.

Person walking two dogs on a gravel path beside a river with a wooden bridge and trees under a clear sky.

Challenge Yourself on the Coquitlam Crunch

The steep Coquitlam Crunch in the Westwood Plateau neighbourhood is Coquitlam’s answer to the Grouse Grind. The trail gains 242 meters over 2.2 kilometres and begins with over 400 stairs.

Two children running on a gravel path surrounded by green bushes and trees with hills and power lines in the background.

Immerse Yourself in Nature at a Park

Coquitlam has lots of wilderness parks and green spaces. Explore the rugged trails of Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Walk beside the Coquitlam River in Colony Farm Regional Park. Stroll along the dyke and enjoy great views at DeBoville Slough. Explore wetlands and forests at Minnekhada Regional Park. Town Centre Park has a picturesque walking trail around Lafarge Lake. Go fishing at Como Lake Park. Or wander through leafy trails past ponds at Mundy Park.

Wetland area with tall grasses and a calm water body surrounded by dense forest under a partly cloudy sky.

Visit a Destination-Worthy Playground

Coquitlam’s parks are a hit with kids thanks to some spectacular playgrounds. Queenston Park has a unique play structure set into a hill with cargo nets and rope ladders for climbing up and slides to get back down. Rochester Park has a fun nature-themed playground with lots of log structures to climb. The playground at Como Lake Park promotes imaginative play with a mock-boat dock and fish in the pretend water area. There’s a music station too.

Two stone picnic tables with wooden benches on grass near a wooden playground structure surrounded by trees.

Hit the Links

Coquitlam is home to three golf courses. Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club has great views high on Eagle Mountain. The members-only Vancouver Golf Club has an 18-hole championship course that hosts the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Eaglequest Golf is home to a nine-hole course, chipping green, and putting green, making it an ideal place to work on your short game.

Four people walking on a golf course green surrounded by tall trees and rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.

Try Disc Golf

Also known as frisbee golf, disc golf is similar to regular golf in that players try to get their disc into the holes in the least number of throws. But in disc golf, the targets are a standing basket, not a hole. Mundy Park has a 9-hole disc golf course on the west side near the outdoor pool. The small course is perfect for beginners who aren’t used to long drives yet.

Person throwing a blue disc towards a disc golf basket in a park with trees and grass.

Let Your Dog Run Off-Leash

Coquitlam is home to several off-leash dog parks and trails. Let your pup play fetch and socialize with other dogs in designated off-leash areas at Bramble Park, Glen Park, Leigh Park, Miller Park, and Mundy Park. Or take your dog for a hike at Mundy Park and Ridge Park, both of which have off-leash trails.

A tan dog wearing a pink harness walking on a paved path in a park with people and another white dog in the background.

Go Mountain Biking

Coquitlam’s mountains are home to lots of mountain biking trails, spread out between the Burke Mountain, Eagle Mountain, and Ridge Park zones. The trails are maintained by the volunteer-run Tri-Cities Off Road Cycling Association (TORCA) and range from gnarly black diamond to beginner-friendly green. Use the Trailforks app to find your way around. If you want to hone your technique, check out the bike skills area at Mundy Park.