An easy hike to a big view, with water along the way. Little climbing, so it suits a slow morning or an evening walk. Most people take 0 minutes.
Easy · 7 km route varies · +0–10 m climb · 0 minutes · Dogs: check local rules
Not yet verified against an official source. Figures are approximate; check the park page before you go. · Sources · Cite this page
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Metro Vancouver · ~15 min from downtown
Figures approximate. The suggested start helps you finish in daylight. Check City of Richmond before you go.
From McDonald Beach Park on Sea Island, a level dike path runs along the Fraser's north arm beside the airport: head west toward Iona Beach Regional Park or east toward the Arthur Laing Bridge, with river traffic, conservation-area grassland and mountain views.
Trailhead location from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Dogs, transit, fees and closures change; check the official page.
Schematic: an illustrative shape drawn from total distance and gain, not a GPS trace. Real ups and downs will differ.
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| Region | Metro Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year-round |
| Trailhead | McDonald Beach Park, north side of Sea Island, Richmond |
| Parking & transit | Little or no transit; plan to drive. |
| Permits & passes | Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes. |
| Dogs | Check local rules |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, with supervision |
| Highlights | Lakes & water, Views |
| Crowds | Not rated yet |
| Managed by | City of Richmond |
Shared with cyclists.
Numbers are approximate. Check City of Richmond for closures and the AdventureSmart trip plan and Ten Essentials before you go. Tell someone your plan.
About 7 km (route varies) with roughly 0–10 m of elevation gain. Most people take 0 minutes. Figures are approximate; check City of Richmond before you go.
Rules vary or change here. Check the land manager before bringing a dog.
Check the land manager's page for current fees and passes.
Not easily. Plan to drive or carpool.
See also: Best hikes for beginners · Winter-friendly low-level walks · Hikes under 2 hours · Lake hikes · Hikes for January · Hikes for February · Hikes for March · Hikes for April · Hikes for May · Hikes for June · Hikes for July · Hikes for August · Hikes for September · Hikes for October · Hikes for November · Hikes for December · Metro Vancouver hikes · Flat and easy walks · Kid-friendly hikes · Beginner hikes · Short view hikes for an evening · Guides
Hike Vancouver. "Sea Island Dike (McDonald Beach)." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/trails/sea-island-dike/
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Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.
My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. If you're thinking about living closer to trails like this one, I'm happy to talk.
Cam Appleton