The best cycling routes in Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Reserve

The Alouette River was formerly known as the Lillooet River, but the name was changed since there is a larger, more well known river that had the same name. The name Alouette was chosen for the simple reason that it sounds similar to Lillooet, but French speakers will recognize that it means lark.

The Hyde Creek Salmon Hatchery is a small powerhouse of local conservation, run entirely by volunteers who raise thousands of coho and chum salmon each year. Its story began in the 1980s with a homemade backyard hatchery, complete with an old bathtub! Drop by on a Saturday morning when volunteers are usually around, and you may get a glimpse behind the scenes before heading back out to watch for salmon in Hyde Creek itself.

Gates Park offers a mix of paved and natural trail sections along the river, with picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it a good starting or ending point for a longer riverside walk or ride into ƛ̓éxətəm.

At this southern spot near Pitt River Road, the Coquitlam River opens up and slows down. The water here is wider and calmer than the fast-moving sections further upstream.

This section of the Trans Canada Trail follows the wooded banks of the Coquitlam River through Coquitlam. The mostly gravel path runs through forested river habitat, offering a quiet stretch of trail where the sound of the river accompanies much of the walk. It’s a multi-use route popular with hikers, runners, and cyclists, and several bridges and viewpoints along the way provide good views over the river as it flows through the valley.

From the Eleanor Ward Bridge, you will be suspended high above the flowing waters of the Coquitlam River. The bridge provides a clear view down into the forested river corridor as the river winds through the valley below. It’s a striking vantage point along the route and a great place to pause and watch the river moving through this green stretch of Coquitlam.

This 165-acre municipal park features nearly 10 km of forested trails winding through riparian woodlands. Seasonal changes bring dramatic shifts, from high water and swirling currents in winter to calmer flows perfect for wading in during summer. In autumn, the river becomes a vivid stage for returning salmon and the autumn colors illuminate the river corridor. There are trong ties to the traditional lands of the Kwikwetlem Nation, with the river's name coming from their language and meaning "red fish up the river". Coquitlam River Park offers a quiet nature escape just minutes from the city.

This beautiful river is a major tributary of the Fraser River that flows south from the Garibaldi Ranges, through Pitt Lake, before joining the Fraser River near Port Coquitlam. The lower stretches of the river are tidal, and the surrounding wetlands are home to a rich diversity of wildlife. The river also holds cultural significance for the Kwantlen First Nation, serving as a natural corridor that connects the coastal region with the interior of the province.