Favourite Rainy Day Hikes in Chilliwack

Itching to get outside, but the weather won’t cooperate?

Springtime can feel long, dark, and wet here in Chilliwack.

Thankfully, we have compiled a short list of trails that you can complete on even the rainiest day - thanks to dense tree canopies (and a little rain gear). Read on for a list of our favourite rainy day hikes in Chilliwack.

Seven Sisters

A great little hike up in Cultus Lake Provincial Park, Seven Sisters is a 60 minute out and back hike that takes you to where 7 giant douglas fir trees once stood (3 remain standing today). We suggest parking in the Entrance Bay/Jade Bay Parking Lot and crossing the road to the Delta Grove Campground where the trail begins. This is a great hike for kids, and is rated as “Easy”.

Giant Douglas Fir

Located just south of Clear Creek Campground in Cultus Lake Provincial Park, The Giant Douglas Fir Trail is a great route for kids or those who want a short, easy walk in the woods. It is an out-and-back hike, taking around 30 minutes to complete. The route takes you to a single massive douglas fir tree which makes for a great photo op!

Teapot Hill

Our third, and definitely most popular Cultus hike is Teapot Hill. This trail begins in the parking lot along Columbia Valley Highway, just beyond Delta Grove Campground. It is a slightly more challenging trail than the two mentioned above, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 mins to complete the 5km route, with a 250m elevation gain. The top of the trail boasts a beautiful view of Cultus Lake, while the search for hidden teapots entertains kids and adults alike.

Broken Tree Loop Via Pitxel & Cholqthet (Community Forest)

The Broken Tree Loop is a great walking trail, nestled under the canopy of the Chilliwack Community Forest. It features a 156m elevation gain over 3.1km, taking approximately 1 hour and 5 mins to complete. The Chilliwack Community Forest is a unique trail system that has many different loops/hikes, so you can customize your experience and make your hike longer or shorter.

Hillkeep Regional Park

Although not as densely covered, Hillkeep Regional Park is a great short hike on the North side of Chilliwack for those rainy days that you want a quick burst of nature. It features two options: a viewpoint trail and a meadow trail, which in total equate to a 2km hike rated as “Easy” on most trail apps.

Mt. Thom

Mt. Thom Trail joins the suburban community of Promontory, with the rural community above in Ryder Lake. If you are looking for a good burn, park on Sylvan Drive and make your way up the wooden staircase which leads to a series of switchbacks up the mountain. This route is a round trip of about 10km, taking 2.5 hours to complete, and offers a beautiful view of the valley from the viewpoint up top. If you want to reap the rewards without breaking too much of a sweat there is a shorter route to the viewpoint. The trailhead on Churchill Parkway in Ryder Lake provides access to the lookout loop, a 1.8km trail that takes around 40 mins to complete.

Bridlewood Trail

Head over to our Around Chilliwack's Instagram to see our photo diary of this Promontory hike!

What is your favourite short & sweet hike to tackle on a rainy day? Let us know in the comments!

Things to do this Family Day Weekend

Family Day is this Monday, February 20th. Do you have anything planned with your loved ones?

We love that this February holiday falls on a Monday, because it means you have the whole weekend leading up to it to celebrate! If you are drawing a blank on how to spend your Family Day - we have you covered.

We have compiled a list of great ideas and activities to give you inspiration:

Chillibowl Lanes

Chilliwack’s only bowling alley; This place is a blast from the past - quite literally! The shoes and equipment may be old, but some may say that it only adds to the nostalgia of Chillibowl Lanes. Founded in 1981 by two local families, this bowling alley offers fun for the entire family - young and old. For $40, you can rent a 6-person lane for an hour (includes shoe rentals). They don’t have a website, so we recommend calling ahead for operating hours and info.

Exit Escape Rooms

Have you tried an escape room before? Although suitable for almost all ages, this one is great if you have tweens, teens, or adult children who you are looking to do an activity with. They offer 5 different themed rooms, and have a special family discount this Family Day for groups of 4 or more! Head to their Facebook Page for details.

Dimensions Virtual Reality

VR is huge right now, but the upfront expense of buying the gear makes this hobby cost-prohibitive to some. Dimensions Virtual Reality is a great way to try out the tech and several cool games without the investment.

Other Family Day Ideas:

Swimming - Toonie Swim! The Cheam Leisure Centre and the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre are hosting Family Day swims on February 20 from 9am - 3pm. Admission is $2 per person.

Skating - Free skate at Sardis Sports Complex on February 20 from 1:30 - 3pm! Skate rentals are $5 and you can receive free kids rentals with the purchase of two adult rentals. Visit chilliwack.com/skate for more info.

What are your plans this Family Day Weekend?

Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Chilliwack

We are coming down to the final few days before Valentine’s Day, which means that if you haven’t booked a dinner reso yet, you may be out of luck.

But don’t despair… We have a few fun ideas for how you can spend your Valentine’s Day a bit differently this year - ideas that you can make fit any budget.

1. A river date - Pack a picnic basket, a thermos of coffee (or swing by a local coffee shop to grab a hot drink to go), a warm blanket or two, and walk down to a spot along the river. There are plenty of entry points along the Vedder Rotary Trail that offer foot access to the beach. Talk about romantic on a budget! Tip: There are also great spots on the North Side of Chilliwack to picnic along the Fraser River - Island 22 Regional Park is a favourite of ours!

2. Central Village - Central Village in Chilliwack encompasses the many vibrant shops, cafes, and service businesses along Historic Wellington Avenue and Mill Street. We recently posted a Reel on Instagram with a great date idea, taking you from a delicious brunch at the Harvest Cafe, over to the Book Man, and then across to Mary’s on Wellington for a little lingerie shopping, and Lolly’s Fashion Boutique to finish off the day. There are a number of other places that are worth checking out on Mill & Wellington - thrift shops, record stores, salons, and more.

3. Banter Ice Cream - Located in the new “Eddy at the River” complex down by the Vedder Bridge, Banter offers amazing house-made ice cream, with new feature flavours every month. Stop in for a couple of cones, or grab a pint to go, and spent the night on the couch for a little “Netflix and chill.”

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans this coming February 14th? Tell us in the comment section.