This hike really adds flare to the Buntzen Lake loop. After traversing to the north beach, just take the service road northwards for 500 m and then the Swan Falls trailhead is on your right. The Swan Falls trail goes to the top of Mount Beautiful, but for this hike, we’re just going to the actual Swan Falls. The Swan Falls trail is far beyond the difficulty of the Buntzen Lake trail. You should be confident in traversing steep slopes and using rope for climb-assisting in one place.
The vertical elevation gain on this portion of the Swan Falls trail is only 200 m, but it is tough trekking.
Here are the route stats:
Distance: 11.8 km (return)
Low point: 127 m
High point: 340 m
Elevation gain: 213 m
Total Elevation gain: 700 m
Trailhead (for Swan Falls): 49° 22’ 7.8” by 122° 51’ 29” (Google Map)
Here is the route:
This is the sign at the trailhead at base of swan falls…
There are two good spots to rest at the falls. Here is a photo of the upper falls…
Here’s a view looking west from the upper falls…
The lower falls, which are only small distance from the upper falls, are a great place to bask in the sun and have a snack…
Here’s a view looking down from the lower falls…
Here are some trail photos on this section of the Swan Falls Trail…
This is one of the difficult hikes at Buntzen Lake. You should consider the ‘Diez Vistas’ hike easy before attempting this one. We started at 8:30 am and ascended the Halvor Lunden trail from the Buntzen Lake Parking lot. The temperature was 9 degrees when our group of 4 started. We made to Polytrichum Lookout in about 1 hour, to the lake’s district 1 hour after than and then Lindsay Lake just before the 3 hour mark. We took a short detour to see The Pulpit Viewpoint and to have snack. Unfortunately, all we saw was white cloud ! So, after our cold break (5 degrees here !), we continued back to the Lindsay Lake Junction and up to Mt. Beautiful. We saw some snow today, the most being around Tangled Summit. We made it to Mt. Beautiful (1260 m) at 1:30 PM and had a relaxing 30 minute break in the sun !! Yes, thankfully the sun came out for us and we had amazing views of Coquitlam Lake and the mountains to the north and east. After our break at Mt. Beautiful, we continued on and we reached the Swan Falls/Dilly Dally Junction a short time later. We headed west, down the Swan Falls trail. After an hour of slow downhill trekking we reached the actual Swan Falls at 350 m elevation and we had another 30 minute break in the sun.
Here are the stats:
Distance: 16.7 km (loop)
Low point: 129 m
High point: 1260 m
Elevation gain: 1,131 m
Total Elevation gain: 1515 m
Trailhead: 49° 20’ 14” by 122° 51’ 23” (Google Map)
Here is the route…
Here is today’s route from Google Earth…
Here are the two payoff views of Coquitlam Lake we had today…
There was snow in sections…
After the Lindsay Lake Junction, we did a quick detour to “The Pulpit” viewpoint, but when we got there, it was all white…
There is an ok view of Indian Arm on the approach to Mt. Beautiful…
At the top, on Mt. Beautiful, we had time to relax and to play around…
Here are 3 more trail pictures…
On the way down we had a nice rest stop at Swan Falls…
★★★★★★★★★★★
Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.
Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.
For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.
To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.
Buntzen Lake is a popular place to walk with a dog, but there are specific rules about where dogs are permitted and where they may be off leash. The most important rule is simple: dogs must be leashed on Buntzen Lake trails unless you are within a designated off-leash area or on the designated dog off-leash trail.
You may see dogs off leash elsewhere around the lake, but the regular hiking trails, including the Buntzen Lake Loop, are not designated off-leash trails.
Dog information signage at Buntzen Lake.
Buntzen Lake Dog Rules at a Glance
Dogs are permitted on all trails, but they must be on a leash.
Dogs may be off leash only in the two designated off-leash areas or on the designated dog off-leash trail.
The dog off-leash trail is approximately 0.6 km long, one way, and begins southeast of the main parking lots.
Dogs are not permitted in the main South Beach area.
Do not walk your dog through the main beach area. Use the designated dog route around it.
Dogs must remain under their owner’s control at all times, including in off-leash areas.
Please clean up after your dog and dispose of waste appropriately.
Where Can Dogs Be Off Leash?
BC Hydro provides two designated off-leash areas at Buntzen Lake as well as a dedicated dog off-leash trail. One of the off-leash areas is beside Buntzen Creek, near the south end of the recreation area.
The designated dog off-leash trail begins southeast of the parking lots and is approximately 0.6 km long. It is a one-way trail and provides a route for dogs to exercise off leash without using the regular hiking trails.
Dog areas at Buntzen Lake. Follow current onsite signage if it differs from this older map.
Dogs on the Buntzen Lake Loop
Dogs are welcome on the Buntzen Lake Loop and the other hiking trails around the recreation area, but they must remain on a leash. The exception applies only when you are within one of the designated off-leash areas or on the designated dog off-leash trail.
This means that the west-side trail, North Beach sections, suspension bridge area, east-side trail, and other regular hiking trails are not general off-leash areas.
Although off-leash dogs are commonly seen on the hiking trails, that does not change BC Hydro’s leash requirement.
South Beach and the Main Recreation Area
Dogs are not permitted in the main South Beach area. If you are arriving with a dog, follow the signs directing you around the main beach and toward the designated dog areas.
The trail beside the beach leads toward the off-leash area near Buntzen Creek. Do not take your dog through the main beach area as a shortcut.
Keeping Your Dog Under Control
Even within an off-leash area, BC Hydro requires dogs to remain under their owner’s control. This is particularly important at Buntzen Lake because the recreation area can be very busy with hikers, runners, children, cyclists, other dogs, and wildlife.
An off-leash warning sign at Buntzen Lake.
Clean Up After Your Dog
Most dog owners at Buntzen Lake are responsible, but dog waste is still sometimes left along the trails. Please pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste properly. Leaving dog waste beside the trail is unpleasant for other visitors and detracts from the recreation area.
A reminder to clean up after your dog.
Before Bringing Your Dog to Buntzen Lake
Buntzen Lake can be extremely busy on warm weekends and holidays. If you are driving, check the current Buntzen Lake parking information before heading out, and make sure you allow enough time to return before the recreation area gate closes.
In April 2015, a small fire occurred near the Punta del Este viewpoint on the Diez Vistas Trail. Fortunately, the damage was limited, but it was a good reminder of how vulnerable the dry forest, moss, and vegetation around Buntzen Ridge can be.
The photographs and short video below show the burn area shortly after the incident.
Fire safety at Buntzen Lake
No open fires are permitted at Buntzen Lake. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas at South Beach and North Beach, which means smoking is not permitted on the Diez Vistas Trail or other hiking trails. Charcoal and briquette barbecues are also prohibited.
The April 2015 Diez Vistas Fire
BC Hydro was notified of a fire on the Diez Vistas Trail on 20 April 2015. After the area was assessed and some rain fell the following day, the trail reopened on 22 April.
I hiked the trail that day to see the area for myself. The fire had occurred near the Punta del Este viewpoint at the east end of Buntzen Ridge. The visible damage appeared to be relatively limited, with moss and low vegetation affected.
Burned moss and vegetation near Punta del Este in April 2015.
Another view of the small burn area on Buntzen Ridge.
Why Fire Is a Serious Risk on Buntzen Ridge
The Diez Vistas Trail passes through forest, moss, dry organic material, and exposed ridge areas that can become very dry during extended periods of warm weather.
Even a small ignition source can become dangerous under the wrong conditions. A cigarette, open flame, or unattended fire can spread into surrounding vegetation, particularly during dry summer weather.
The safest approach is simple: do not smoke, light fires, or use any open flame on the trail.
No Campfires or Open Fires
BC Hydro does not permit open fires at Buntzen Lake. This includes campfires on or near the hiking trails.
Charcoal and briquette barbecues are also prohibited. Propane barbecues are permitted only in appropriate recreation areas when there is no active fire ban, but they are not something you should be carrying onto Diez Vistas or using along the trail.
Smoking Restrictions
Smoking is not permitted throughout the Buntzen Lake recreation area except in designated smoking areas at South Beach and North Beach.
That means smoking is not permitted on Diez Vistas, the Buntzen Lake Loop, Lakeview Trail, or the other hiking trails.
Respect the Area
Fire prevention is only one part of looking after the Buntzen Lake area. Stay on established trails where practical, do not damage vegetation, pack out anything you bring with you, and leave natural and historic features where you find them.
Buntzen Lake receives a lot of visitors, and small actions by many people can have a large cumulative effect on the surrounding forest and trails.
Video of the Burn Area
This short video shows the burn area near Punta del Este and the view toward Eagle Ridge shortly after the trail reopened in April 2015.
If You See a Wildfire
If you see a wildfire or behaviour that could start one, report it as soon as possible by calling 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 from a mobile phone.
For current fire restrictions, wildfire information, and recreation-area notices, check the BC Hydro Buntzen Lake recreation page before heading out.
