Hiking Aldergrove Regional Park in Langley
Contents
Aldergrove Regional Park Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 6.40Km
Elevation Gain: 130m
Highest Elevation: 97m
Average Gradient: 4.06%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 2 – 3 Hours
– Moderate: 1.50 – 2 Hours
– Fast: 1 – 1.50 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Aldergrove Regional Park Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°00’42.4″N 122°27’56.4″W
Aldergrove Regional Park Overview
Aldergrove Regional Park is a park situated at the southern edge of Aldergrove on the Canada/US border. With over 14km of hiking trails, 5km of horse riding trails and 6km of cycling trails, Aldergrove Regional Park is a fairly popular recreation area for a number of activities.
From a hiking perspective there are two main trails through the park, the Pepin Brook Trail and the Rock N’ Horse Trail, both of which can easily be combined to make for a fuller outing and a thorough exploration of the majority of the park.
Most of the trails throughout the park are gravel, and given the nominal amount of elevation gain and relatively short distance, this is a very easy hike that is probably best suited for beginners, or anybody looking for a very simple stroll through the forest, with the odd hill thrown in here and there to get the heart pumping.
Given its low elevation this hike is suitable year-round and is a good option for a cloudy or even rainy day when ambitions may be low but the desire to get outside is still there. It’s also a nice option for families with young children, dog walkers and trail runners.
Keep in mind that the Rock N’ Roll Trail is horse friendly and there is a high chance you will encounter some horses along the way. This also comes with the inevitable horse manure typically found along this section of the trail.
The park has opening and closing hours which can be found on the Metro Vancouver Parks website.
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Is Aldergrove Regional Park worthwhile?
If you’re looking to get outside for a short, simple hike in the woods with some rolling meadow views then Aldergrove Regional Park fits the bill. It is far from being an exciting hike though, and it certainly won’t push the average person’s cardio limits. The majority of visitors here are not really looking to hike, they are looking for an easy walk in a pleasant setting.
How difficult is the hike Aldergrove Regional Park?
This is a very easy hike no matter which way you look at it. The trails are almost entirely smooth gravel, with little in the way of obstacles to be concerned about. While there are a couple of climbs along the route they are all relatively short and don’t gain all that much elevation. All fitness levels should be fine.
Aldergrove Regional Park Route Information
There are a couple of parking lots in Aldergrove Regional Park; you’ll want to use the main parking lot accessed from 8 Ave in the northwest corner of the park. You’ll then want to park anywhere after crossing over Pepin Creek, which is just beyond the picnic area.
After parking, make your way to the Pepin Brook trailhead, which is just to the left after you drive over the bridge over Pepin Creek. Following the trail it initially starts off flat, running adjacent to Pepin Creek, before beginning a climb up and away from the creek. After passing by one junction you’ll want to veer right onto the next, following a sign directing towards the Rock N’ Horse Trail and continuing to climb until you reach some information boards and a view over some meadows.
Here you’ll join the Rock N’ Horse Trail, and you can either go clockwise or counter clockwise in a loop that will end up back at this point. Going clockwise, you will now follow a trail adjacent to the meadows, or alternatively you can actually walk along the perimeter of the meadows adjacent to the wooded trail. Shortly ahead you’ll cross a road at the entrance of the Aldergrove Bowl, rejoining the Rock N’ Horse Trail on the other side.
Continuing along the trail, keeping in mind you’re now on a horse friendly trail that will be scattered with manure, shortly ahead you will reach the Big Rock, an enormous boulder plopped in the middle of nowhere some 12,000 years ago by retreating glaciers. Slightly beyond the Big Rock you will briefly leave the forest and find yourself at a viewpoint looking south towards Camp Elkgrove and the US border.
The trail will now turn and begin heading back towards the beginning of the loop, with a short climb up to a viewpoint known as Lovers’ Viewpoint and bench to soak it in. Back on the trail you’ll return to the start of the loop, where you can then retrace your steps back to the Pepin Brook Trail.
Instead of continuing along the Pepin Brook Trail back to the trailhead you will immediately turn right and head downhill towards a scenic bridge over Pepin Creek. Once over the bridge you’ll follow the trail to a junction where you’ll want to keep left and continue on the Pepin Brook Trail towards the park entrance.
The trail will now climb gradually into the forest and away from Pepin Creek to the highest point of the day. After passing by a smaller parking lot near the entrance the trail will loop around and begin a descent towards the trailhead. Soon you’ll walk past the picnic site, cross the bridge over Pepin Creek and return to your car.
When should I hike Aldergrove Regional Park?
Given Aldergrove Regional Park is open year-round and suitable in all conditions, this is a nice hike to consider outside of summer, when other more interesting hikes should take priority. I found this a nice option in the fall or spring, but winter will work fine as well.
Top Tip
This is an actively used horse trail and you should be prepared to encounter both horses and manure throughout the Rock N’ Horse Trail. Groups with children and dogs should take particular care around both.
