The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Langley

On a very clear day, look to the south-east to see a view of Mount Baker. Though it looks small in the distance, this snow-capped peak rises 3,286 metres above sea level.

The Aldergrove Bowl Viewpoint sits just steps away from the Pepin Brook Trail system on the Langley-Abbotsford border. The Aldergrove Bowl is a massive, natural amphitheatre-like depression in the landscape left behind by retreating glaciers during the last ice age. In the mid-20th century, the site was a commercial gravel extraction pit. Later, Metro Vancouver Parks undertook a large environmental project to reclaim the industrial scar, transforming it into a lively, natural meadow filled bowl.

Pepin Brook Trail is the most popular hiking path in Aldergrove Regional Park. It is a wide trail, well groomed, made of compact gravel, and features short, rolling hill climbs to that will elevate your heart rate. The trail follows the running waters of Pepin Brook, crossing it on wooden bridges before climbing into a dense forest of Douglas fir and western red cedar, creating shade from the hot sun.

Deer Trail is one of Campbell Valley's lesser-known trails, and it leads to an unexpected relic: the old Langley Speedway racetrack, where the asphalt oval still peeks through trees and tall grass. Closed in 1979, it has been steadily reclaimed by nature, with deer, hawks, eagles and owls all part of the scene. In spring, keep an eye out for lupins and old fruit trees in bloom.

Little River Loop is Campbell Valley’s easiest trail: a flat, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly circuit of around 2.3 kilometres. Fine gravel and raised boardwalks cross the Little Campbell River twice, creating peaceful spots to pause and look for wildlife, like squirrels and chipmunks, along the way.

Shaggy Mane Trail is an 11-kilometre loop that pairs wide-open park scenery with steep climbs in and out of the valley. It is shared with horseback riders, so hikers should give way when meeting horses, and expect a few muddy stretches in wetter seasons.

Derby Reach stretches along a calm bend of the Fraser River, where open fields, quiet forests, and wide riverside trails make for easy wandering. You'll find a mix of flat shoreline paths and the hillier Houston Trail loop with some multi-use trails open to hikers, joggers, cyclists, and even horseback riders. A large campground sits right at the water’s edge, with picnic shelters, washrooms, drinking water, and plenty of space to settle in for the night. Dogs are welcome on‑leash throughout most of the park, with a large off‑leash zone near Edgewater Bar. In short, you'll find that Derby Reach delivers a peaceful break with all the essentials close at hand.

Set along a quiet bend of the Fraser River, Fort Langley offers a window into the history of British Columbia. The wooden palisades, blacksmith shop, and heritage buildings trace the Hudson’s Bay Company era, while the parks live demonstrations bring the daily bustle of traders and voyageurs to life. For those interested in the Indigenous Stó꞉lō history you'll find traditional foods as the Ancestor Cafe, native artworks at Spirit Bear Designs, and storytelling from local Elders. It’s an easy place to wander and imagine yourself in a different time, soaking up river views, hands‑on demos, and the layered history that shaped the region.