ANMORE & BELCARRA
The name says it all – Belcarra: a combination of the ancient Gaelic words bal & carra meaning sun and rock. Belcarra is a secluded seaside neighbourhood situated on the north side of Port Moody sporting many large custom-designed contemporary homes, some on acreages with remarkable views of Bedwell Bay and Indian Arm. Many waterfront homes in Belcarra feature private docks and boats. The exclusive Belcarra neighbourhood is named after Belcarra Regional Park, a 1,100-hectare regional escape, where locals and visitors take in this waterfront playground featuring hiking trails, picnic areas, canoe & kayak rentals and pier. This is where you’ll find local crabbers trying to catch their dinner. For birdwatchers, the Belcarra cliffs are home to bald eagles & cormorants. In addition, Sasamat Lake is located within Belcarra Regional Park and is one of the warmest lakes in Greater Vancouver. The forested trails, rocky beaches and mountain views are popular year-round. The trails range from easy to challenging for hikers, cyclists & dogs on leash.
On the upper north-west side of Port Moody is the village of Anmore, another secluded neighbourhood with large detached homes on sizeable lots and acreages. The Village of Anmore, a municipality of just over 1,700 people incorporated in 1987, is a nature lover’s paradise and home to two parks, Belcarra Regional Park and Buntzen Lake, an active hydroelectric reservoir that was once Vancouver’s main electricity source. For Belcarra and Anmore residents, shopping, dining and professional services are a short distance away, following a scenic cruise along Ioco Road.
(Credit: https://faithwilsongroup.com/neighbourhoods/belcarra-anmore/)
Explore Anmore & Belcarra B.C
Out & About
Outdoor activities
Diving, kayaking, canoeing, biking, running and horseback riding are all great outdoor activities to do in Belcarra and Anmore. Many outdoor enthusiasts travel across Canada and from other parts of the world to explore these beautiful hidden gem communities.
White Pine Beach
White Pine Beach at Sasamat Lake is a popular place to escape the urban grind and spend some time relaxing on the beach with the family. The beach is located just a few minutes outside of Coquitlam in Belcarra Regional Park. There are two nice sandy beaches with great swimming, a small concession booth, a few picnic tables, and washroom facilities. Additionally, a 2.5-kilometer walking trail follows the shoreline all the way around the lake and provides access to a few other smaller beach spots. A few longer hiking trails lead up into Belcarra Regional Park such as the Diez Vistas Trail, which offers spectacular views of Indian Arm.
(Credit: Duncan Sadava / Trip Report https://www.outdoorproject.com/canada/british-columbia/white-pine-beach-sasamat-lake)
Buntzen Lake
Buntzen lake used to be named Trout Lake, and was also called Lake Beautiful, and was renamed to Buntzen Lake in 1905 at the opening of the tunnel to Coquitlam Lake. The area around the lake is managed by BC Hydro as a recreation site and visitors can swim, fish, hike, and boat on the lake. There are many trails on or around the Lake. The recreation area has been a very good example of multiple-use, allowing Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Equestrians to use the trails together. Most of the trails extend from the recreation area into Indian Arm Provincial Park. Dogs on a leash are permitted on all trails at Buntzen Lake. There are also two designated off-leash areas, one of which includes an off-leash beach area, and an off-leash trail.
(Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buntzen_Lake)
Indian Arm Provincial Park
Located near Port Moody, Indian Arm Provincial Park is also known as Say Nuth Khaw Yum Heritage Park and is managed by both the Province and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Its First Nations name means "Serpent's Land". From breathtaking waterfalls and fjords on the ocean side, to beautiful vistas and rain forest on the mountain side, there are plenty of ways to explore this Provincial Park.
(Credit: https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/outdoors/bc-parks-indian-arm-provincial-park-1924958)
Swan Falls Viewpoint
The hike to the Swan Falls viewpoint follows the Buntzen Lake trail to the North Beach, then climbs steeply along the Halvor Lunden to the top of the waterfall. The view from the rocky bluff is a partial view of the northern section of Buntzen Lake as well as the mountains along the western shore of the lake.
(Credit: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/swan-falls-viewpoint/)
Belcarra Regional Park
Forested trails, rocky beaches and mountain views make this regional park a great place to explore year round. Swimming draws crowds to Sasamat Lake in summer. Trails range from easy to challenging for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The rocky shores are home to a rich variety of marine life. Both fishing and crab fishing are permitted in the ocean with a valid tidal licence. The Springboard Trail is a 3.5 km one-way trek that connects Bedwell Road and Sasamat Lake with the Belcarra Picnic area. This is a great trail for walking, hiking, or horseback riding.
Photo Credit: Inside Vancouver https://www.insidevancouver.ca/2019/12/12/decembers-vancouver-hike-of-the-month-buntzen-lake/