The PoCo Trail, better known as the PoCo Traboulay Trail, makes for a truly enjoyable easy cycle that follows the Coquitlam River, the Pitt River, and Hyde Creek with a number of dense forest intervals. Â Taking in the loop to Minnekhada is highly recommended keeping in mind that there are frequent sightings and encounters with bears requiring you to have an awareness of how to deal with bears and you will need to walk your bike on a 1k walking trail in the park. Â The main loop takes about 2.5 hours and is basically flat.
Features:
Two Regional Parks
- Colony Farm Regional Park
- Minnekada Regional Park
Two Major Rivers joining the Fraser River with their associated greenways
- Coquitlam River
- Pitt River
Many local parks
- Lafarge Lake Town Centre Park
- Gates Park
- Citadel Landing
- Peace Park
- Hyde Creek Park
- Willington Park
- Coquitlam River Park
Here is a video of the ride taken March 21, 2020
This Loop takes in the Vancouver City core including Coal Harbour, Gastown, English Bay, Yaletown, Chinatown, the Italian Quarter, and New Brighton Park. In Burnaby, it features the Central Valley Greenway, Burnaby Mountain, and Burnaby Heights. It is recommended to do this loop counterclockwise.  The Burnaby Mountain trail is excellent for its natural features and views but requires stiff climbing and can be avoided by using the Burnaby Urban Trail.  Allow 6 hours for the complete loop when including Burnaby Mountain.
If you are looking to cycle over a variety of terrain while enjoying very different locations, this is for you. Expect several downhills and uphills thus making it more suitable for intermediate-level cyclists. Allow 4 to 5 hours with stops along the way. The 28 to 41 km allows for options along the way.
Main Features starting from Production Way Station going clockwise
- Brunette River Greenway
- Hume Park – Read about its interesting history here
- Sapperton with all its amenities and restaurants – Find out how Saperton gets its name here
- Columbia St. Greenway with options
- +3.2 km. Sapperton Landing Park Greenway
- +2.2 km Glenbrook Ravine and Queens Park (involves climbing)
- Penitentiary frontage: Learn about its history, buildings, grounds, and Woodland School
- Westminster Pier Park – Find out why it is nicknamed ‘the Royal City’Â here
- Westminster Quay – with amenities and restaurants
- BC Parkway out of New Westminster and in Burnaby
- Burnaby Foreshore Park and Greenway (can be skipped -8 km)
- Byrne Creek Trail
- BC Parkway towards Metrotown
- Deer Lake
- Burnaby Lake South Shore – known as the freeway trail – between the freeway and the lake
This full-featured loop takes in the Musqueam Southlands, Pacific Spirit Park, Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach, Kitsilano, and Vanier Park, Allow a good 5 to six hours for this great journey.  Note that the Canada Line Skytrain Station at Marine Drive is right on the route.
Colored tracks:
Blue –Â The Main Track – about 35 km
Red – Add features – in this case, indigenous sculptures and murals are featured – add 10 km
Purple – additional cycling route – add 5km
Brown – hiking or walking only or because of the steep grades – the shoreline trail is up to 5 km of walking.
Parking – it is best to park outside the UBC campus when the university is in sesseion.
What a great way of taking in the major greenways and parks of Nanaimo such as Bowen Park, Petroglyph Provincial Park, its waterfront, and rail trails. A side trip to Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is also great fun. Â Allow 4 to 6 hours for the main loop.
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