Nicomekl River trails

The Nicomekl River runs through the middle of Langley City, and for most of that stretch there’s a trail beside it. It’s the walk that ties the City’s other trails together: start at Portage Park and you can reach Brydon Lagoon, the dog park loops and the Surrey side without crossing much more than a road or two.

Where to start

Portage Park is the main entrance, off 204 Street at 51A Avenue. It has an adventure playground, a paved ball hockey area, washrooms and a covered spot with four picnic tables, so it’s an easy base with kids. If you’d rather start further west, there’s parking off 53 Avenue near Brydon Lagoon, and other lots off 203 Street and 208 Street.

The walk

It’s floodplain, so it’s flat. The trail is shared by walkers, runners and cyclists, and the City’s trail map marks paved and unpaved stretches. Heading west from Portage takes you towards Brydon Lagoon and on to Hi-Knoll Park in Surrey. You choose the length: an out-and-back of half an hour, or a long loop that picks up the lagoon and the other City trails. The City doesn’t publish a single distance for the whole route, so we won’t guess one.

It’s a floodplain, so waterproof shoes are a good idea after a wet week.

In the Township

The Nicomekl runs through the Township too. The Township’s nature tour lists a 1 km loop beside the river at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, as part of a 5 km walk with the Arbour Ribbon Trail.

Pair it with

• Brydon Lagoon for the ducks
• Sendall Gardens and its greenhouse in season
• Penzer Action Park to burn off whatever energy is left

The full list is in our hikes and walks guide. Walked it lately and something’s changed? Tell us.