a sunny view of the wraparound cove at Buntzen Lake
Last weekend we went on a hike that we learned about from my kids' babysitter. She belongs to an active family and so I knew anything she recommended we could do as well. She said Buntzen Lake was a great hike, and she was right, I loved this hike!
almost halfway view
This hike is a wraparound lake hike, and for at least half of it, you're very close to the water. There are times when the trail meanders into the forested area and you can't even see the large lake. There is a small suspension bridge, outhouses at the half-way mark (along with a rest area with benches and picnic tables), and the views were great. We went for a morning hike and were done by 2. I believe it took it 3 1/2 hours, plus a thirty minute stop for lunch at the half-way mark.
Lukka looking at the lake from early on
It's a 5 mile hike (8km) and we were all tired afterward. There is an overall ascent of 100 m but it took us 1.5 hours less than the hike site said, and any ability I believe could hike this relatively flat hike. It's an intermediate, I believe only because of the length, though perhaps some of the incline could be troublesome with those who have a heart condition. There aren't very many of them, though, and they're often met with a bridge and a small waterfall nearby. :)
stopping for me to snap a shot of the trail
I loved this hike and would definitely do it again. It was maybe a 40 minute drive and we had a cool morning with a sunny afternoon, when it started getting really busy. I think everyone was in a great mood because it was one of the first really sunny days we've had in awhile, too! I prefer the longer hikes, but if they're too high/steep, they have to be shorter for the kids' sake. I felt like the 3 1/2 hours of hiking up, down, and on flat terrain gave me an excellent workout, enjoyable enough to talk to my family nearly the whole time (one fo the main reasons I love to hike--bonding with the family), and beautiful scenery throughout!
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