Golden Ears Overnighter

Depending on how much distance you want to cover, you can either ride from home or use transit to start the ride from Port Moody, just as we did. Whether you are meeting in Port Moody or just passing through, you have great options for many pre- or mid-ride snacks, as well as coffee or a beer with friends.

Another reason we love this route is the gravel-to-pavement ratio, with about 75% of the route on trails! Plus, most of the road riding is on protected bike lanes or through quiet neighbourhoods.

Most of the PoCo Trail, which runs through the Port Coquitlam area, is beautiful and lush, with plenty of tree coverage to protect you from the sun or rain until the last stretch before crossing the Pitt River to Pitt Meadows. The trail here turns into a wider, fast-rolling dyke trail, which can get pretty hot on a sunny day, but on the other hand, provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and open fields.

As you get to the Golden Ears area, you can choose to ride on trails, the road, or a mix of both. Even if you choose the trails and get tired, you are never too far from the road. We tried to avoid the road as much as possible, as it doesn't have any shoulder, but we opted for it on the way home to make the ride faster.

Either way, I highly recommend stopping at the park sign and snapping a photo of your group or bike! 🙂

Let me know how you liked the trip, looking forward to hearing from you!

Notes

• The trails to Golden Ears Park are wide enough to accommodate all trail users, although they can get busy on warm, sunny days, especially along the Coquitlam River.
  
• If you need a water refill, I recommend stopping at Tinhouse Brewing (and maybe grabbing a few beers for the road 🙂).
  
• Check the route and note the direction warning around SilverCity. To avoid unnecessary climbing through the neighbourhood, follow the trail to the section that looks like a construction zone. This is how you connect to the trail on the other side. It might look sketchy, but this is a well-established route used by locals, and aside from a few spicier parts, it’s easy to cross on any bike.
  
• Some trails around Golden Ears are not meant for bikes and are designated for horses only. Use extra caution on those, as they can be quite challenging, with a few steep sections and creek crossings. They are fun to ride, though, if you’re up for an added challenge!
  
• Golden Ears Park is open year-round. While there are some walk-in sites, I recommend booking your campsite, as its proximity to the Lower Mainland makes this park a very popular camping destination. For more information on camping reservations and park notices, please visit the BC Parks website.

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