Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, Biking Seymour Valley Trailway and The Fisherman’s Trail

The Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve may not have the fanciest name, but it’s definitely a great place to spend your weekend.

There are a tonne of great easy Vancouver hiking trails in this area, a couple of suspension bridges that are way less crowded than Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge or Capilano Bridge, and so many beautiful river and valley views.

I’ve spent more than a few weekends in the area now and I always love exploring the trails whether on a bike or on foot!

This is one of my favorite Vancouver trails accessible by transit.

About the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve

The Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve trails are in a 5,668 hectares large area. This park is home to rugged trails, peaks, lakes, and more.

At the most northern end is the Seymour Dam, which is inaccessible to visitors since loads of the city’s water comes from here!

There are over 100 kilometers of trails that can be enjoyed on the bike, on foot, and even on horseback. There’s the Lower Seymour Valley Trailway which is a 10km paved path winding and climbing through forests to the Seymour Reservoir and Seymour River Hatchery.

Access to Rice Lake and big peaks for bagging and more.

This post focuses on the Lower Seymour Valley Trailway bike or walk/running path and returning along Fisherman’s Trail on a bike.

Biking Seymour Valley Trailway

On a normal weekend, there’s usually plenty of parking around Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

If you can’t park up by Rice Lake, then you can usually park back by the roundabout you turned left at about 5 minutes before.

Make your way to the shelter and follow the paved trail that marks the start of the Lower Seymour Valley Trailway.

The path is shared by both cyclists and hikers/runners and is paved the entire way up to the reservoir.

You’ll encounter rolling hills, but nothing too strenuous, and twist and turn surrounded by forest on both sides. It’s a beautiful trail!

There are a couple of picnic spots and some pit toilets along the way in case you’re in need too.

Towards the far end of the trail, you’ll cross over a paved road and lead the paved track for some gravel. The trail here is narrower but even prettier and takes you closer to the riverbank. This is the Coho Trail. Alternatively, you can make a left when you come to the road and walk or bike along the paved road.

If you took the Coho Trail you’ll need to go left up a steep hill to make it to the reservoir and the stunning mountain views that await.

You can either take the paved trail back or return via the Spur 4 Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail!

Fisherman’s Trail North Vancouver

The Fisherman’s Trail North Van, goes from the Seymour Suspension Bridge up to the Mid-Valley viewpoint which is roughly half the way up the Seymour Valley Trailway – or the other way around if you’re coming down Spur 4 back to the parking lot!

You’ll want a gravel bike at the very least for the Fisherman’s trail Vancouver, it’s definitely not something to take a road bike on!

The trail is rocky, hilly, narrow in places, and often needs repairing each year resulting in closures to the trail.

The Fisherman’s Trail bike or running route is beautiful though!

You’ll have views of the river below for most of the way and get to cross some fun bridges if you go all the way down to the suspension bridge.

From the suspension bridge, take the Twin Bridges Trail back up to your car in the parking lot.

If you don’t want to cycle across the suspension bridge, you can cut back to the paved trail at several points earlier. The easiest option would be to take the Homestead Trail (it’s steep though!) back up to the back of the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant which is right near the main parking lot.

Other Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve bike trails

I took a mountain biking course with Endless Biking in North Vancouver (one of the best places for MTB rental in Vancouver) and we spent quite a few of the lessons around the Lower Seymour area.

The trails here are fun and there’s something for all biking abilities, my husband took a course too and they were also in this area for some of their lessons.

If you’re looking for mountain biking trails in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, the best place to find them is Trail Forks. That’s where you’ll get a Seymour Femonstration Forest trail map of the trails including their grading and trail reports on recent conditions too.

There are smooth and flat trails perfect for families and beginners like the paved trail to the Seymour Dam. These paths are great if you want to enjoy a calm bike ride while looking at the beautiful nature around you.

Then, for the next level up, the Circuit 8 West Loop mountain biking trail is fun and you’ll also get to ride through a tree! And Richard Juryn is another popular route.

What to know about the Seymour Valley Trailway and Fisherman’s Trail

• This trail is multi-use, pay attention to your surroundings and be respectful to other users.
• There are plenty of bears in this area, take your bear spray!
• Practice Leave No Trace principles and leave areas better than you found them.
• Be adventure smart: Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails. Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials AdventureSmart is a great resource to help you get informed before heading outdoors.
• Get the Seymour demonstration forest map here.

What to pack for hiking or biking the Seymour Dam bike trail

What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
• Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
• Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
• Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.

Final thoughts on the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve biking trail

This Seymour bike trail is much easier than the mountain biking routes on Mount Seymour which you may be looking for. The Seymour Valley bike trail runs at a lower elevation, without much gain but a few gently rolling hills through forests until you emerge at the dam.

You can combine your return loop with the Fishermen’s Trail for something off the paved route too.

If you’re looking for more fun places for easy biking near Vancouver, be sure to check out this guide to biking Stanley Park’s Seawall, the Arbutus Greenway that goes from Vancouver towards Richmond, or take a look at these other biking routes in Vancouver.

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Hannah