Popular dog-friendly hike near Coquitlam closed “for foreseeable future” for bridge repairs

The Buntzen Lake Loop is a fan favourite and popular with dog walkers and hikers alike.

@burnttoastcorgi

A popular dog walking trail near Coquitlam can no longer be completed in full after the suspension bridge on the trail’s loop was shut down for repairs.

The suspension bridge at Buntzen Lake, which is managed by BC Hydro, has been shut down for repairs “for the foreseeable future” after engineers deemed the structure “unsafe”, according to an update on the agency’s website.

The lake loop, a popular 4 to 5 hour trail around the lake which crosses the suspension bridge, will no longer be fully accessible due to the closure, although the trails either side of the bridge remain open.

Hikers and dog walkers - who have enjoyed the bridge since it’s construction in 1992 - will have to plan ahead for an out and back hike.

The lake is a popular destination for dog walkers and families alike - with designated dog beaches at each end of the swimming beach, there’s plenty of space for your pooch to enjoy a warm day out on the water too.

The lake also has plenty of energetic trails for owners and their pets to explore while the lake loop is closed, with hikes ranging up to 10 to 12 hours in length.

When not on the 0.6km off-leash dog trail to the beach, dogs must remain on a leash on other trails.