Langley/Abbotsford
. . . . .
| ROUND TRIP | 34.9 km (21 ¾ miles) or 37.9 km (23 ¾ miles) |
| TERRAIN | Paved roads, optional unpaved dyke path; some flat, some hills; several railway crossings |
| TRAFFIC VOLUME | Low, except moderate on River Road |
| ALLOW | 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours |
| HIGHLIGHTS | Fort Langley village and museums, Telegraph Trail, Fraser River, Glen Valley Regional Park, Fort Winery |
| PICNIC SPOT | Poplar Bar at 22.8 km |
| STARTING POINT | Fort Langley National Historic Park, Mavis Avenue at River Road |
| HOW TO GET THERE | BY CAR: Leave Hwy 1 at exit 58 or 66, following signs to Fort Langley. From Glover Road, turn right onto Mavis Avenue and then left into the Fort Langley Historic Site parking lot. |
| BY TRANSIT: Take the bus to Glover Road at 96th Avenue and ride to the starting point. | |
| WHEN TO GO | See roadside flowers in early June or the cranberry harvest in October. |
| CONNECTS WITH | Fort-to-Fort Trail |
Llama stepping out
Stopping to smell the roses
THIS ROUTE along the gentle hills east of Langley takes you through rolling farmland and tucked-away neighbourhoods before descending to the Fraser River.
After the first rise, on 240th Street, comes a peaceful interlude along a section of historic Telegraph Trail, once part of an overland telegraph route begun in 1865 to link Russia to the United States—a project doomed by the laying of a communications cable beneath the Atlantic Ocean the following year.
After a steep, winding descent to the floor of the valley, you’ll see land being used for cranberry production. This is not as innovative as you might think: During the 1850s, cranberries harvested by Native peoples were packed at Fort Langley to be sent to San Francisco.
Glen Valley Regional Park includes Duncan, Poplar and Two-Bit Bars. At Poplar Bar, our suggested picnic spot, you can rest or enjoy your lunch on the riverbank. Opposite is Crescent Island. The Fraser River sweeps around it, bearing tugs, fishboats and debris; geese and goldeneye brave the current. Amid the turbid water, millions of migrating salmon travel up or downstream according to their season. Two-Bit Bar, reached at 24.7 kilometres, is notable for Hassall House, dating back to 1917. The house stands on rental property and is not open to the public.
Whether you cycle the Trans Canada Trail along Nathan Creek or choose the shorter option, take time to browse among Fort Langley’s tea rooms, craft shops and antiques stores or visit the restored Hudson’s Bay Company fort and adjacent museums.
KM THE ROUTE
0.0 Fort Langley National Historic Park parking lot on Mavis Avenue.
0.2 Right on River Road.
1.8 Right on 240th Street.
3.2 Stay left on 240th Street at the junction with Rawlison Crescent.
4.1 Left on 80th Avenue.
4.7 Right on Telegraph Trail. Historic route.
6.8 Left on 72nd Avenue, which becomes 72nd Diversion.
8.6 Right on 256th Street.
9.7 Left on 64th Avenue.
11.4 Cross 264th Street at the stop sign.
13.0 Left on 272nd Street. Steep, winding descent—try not to fly past your next turning!
16.5 Right on 80th Avenue, which becomes Marsh-McCormick Road. Cranberry bogs.
Cross Lefeuvre Road.
18.6 Left on Dyke Road, which becomes Gray Avenue.
20.2 Left on Bradner Road.
21.0 Left on River Road. Optional hiking/cycling path along the riverbank leads to Poplar Bar.
22.8 Right at the gate to Poplar Bar, Glen Valley Regional Park. Picnic tables, toilets, information kiosk.
22.8 Continue west on River Road, which becomes 91st Avenue.
24.7 Two-Bit Bar is on the bend. Historic building, river view, toilets.
25.4 Right on 88th Avenue.
OPTION: To include a section of the Trans Canada Trail along Nathan Creek dyke, go straight ahead on 272nd Street. Turn right on 80th Avenue and continue to its end. Follow the dyke path northward to 88th Avenue. This diversion will add 3 km to your route.
Otherwise, continue on 88th Avenue to
26.8 Left on 264th Street.
27.6 Right on 84th Avenue. Fort Winery ahead on your right. Free tours and wine tasting.
29.1 Cross 256th Street.
29.9 Right on 252nd Street.
30.7 Left on River Road.
34.6 Left on Mavis Avenue.
34.9 Fort Langley National Historic Park parking lot.