One of the best things about living in White Rock is that a great walk is always just minutes away. Whether you prefer a flat waterfront stroll with ocean views, a forested trail through towering Douglas firs, or a challenging hillside climb, the area delivers. Here are our eight favourite walking routes in and around White Rock — all accessible year-round and all free.
1. The White Rock Promenade
Distance: 2.2 km one way | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Paved
The Promenade is White Rock's signature walk. Running along the waterfront from West Beach to East Beach, it offers continuous ocean views, with the pier as the centrepiece. The path is flat, paved, and accessible, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Most residents walk it regularly — some daily. Early morning and sunset are the best times, when the light on the water is extraordinary and the crowds are thinner. Dogs are welcome on-leash.
2. Semiahmoo Trail
Distance: 5.5 km one way | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Paved multi-use path
This paved trail runs from the east end of the White Rock waterfront through South Surrey, following a former rail corridor. It is flat, well-maintained, and popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The trail passes through residential areas and connects to several parks and green spaces. It is an excellent option for a longer walk without significant elevation change, and it connects nicely with the Promenade for a combined waterfront-and-trail outing.
3. Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest
Distance: Multiple loop options, 1-5 km | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Surface: Gravel and dirt trails
Located in South Surrey between 24th Avenue and 28th Avenue, Sunnyside Acres is a 130-hectare second-growth forest that feels worlds away from the surrounding suburban development. The trail network includes wide, well-graded main paths and narrower side trails. Towering Douglas firs, western red cedars, and a rich understory create a peaceful, shaded environment. The forest is home to woodpeckers, owls, and other wildlife. It is particularly pleasant in summer when the canopy provides welcome shade.
4. Ruth Johnson Park
Distance: 1-2 km loops | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Gravel and boardwalk
This small but lovely park on 16th Avenue features a pond, wetland areas, and a network of trails and boardwalks that wind through marsh and forest. It is a quiet, contemplative walk — ideal for birdwatchers, as the pond attracts herons, ducks, and songbirds. The boardwalk sections are particularly scenic when autumn colours arrive. Ruth Johnson Park is a favourite of Ocean Park residents and often overlooked by visitors.
5. Crescent Park
Distance: 2-3 km loops | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Surface: Dirt and gravel trails
Located near the Crescent Beach area of South Surrey, this forested park offers a network of trails through mature trees with a creek running through parts of the park. The trails are wider and well-maintained, making them suitable for families with strollers (on the main paths) and dog walkers. The park connects to the broader South Surrey trail network.
6. The Hillside Stairs and Streets
Distance: Variable | Difficulty: Moderate to challenging | Surface: Stairs and sidewalks
For those who want a workout, the hillside between Marine Drive and the upper town offers a natural stair-climbing experience. Several public stairways connect the lower waterfront to the upper residential areas, and creative residents have mapped routes that combine stairs, quiet residential streets, and viewpoints into circuits that provide serious cardiovascular exercise along with some of the best views in the community. The elevation gain from the beach to the top of the hillside is approximately 100 metres, and several routes let you do the climb in stages.
7. Boundary Bay Regional Trail
Distance: 4 km one way (from 12th Avenue trailhead) | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Gravel dike trail
A short drive east of White Rock, the Boundary Bay dike trail follows the shoreline along the bay's eastern edge. This is a completely flat walk along the dike, with open views across the mudflats and bay. It is an exceptional birdwatching location — the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area attracts raptors, shorebirds, and waterfowl throughout the year. The trail is particularly stunning at low tide when the vast mudflats are exposed, and at sunset when the sky opens up over the flat landscape.
8. Peace Arch Provincial Park
Distance: 1-2 km loops | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Paved paths and grass
Straddling the Canada-US border at the Peace Arch crossing, this park offers a unique walking experience. Manicured gardens, sculptured hedges, and the iconic Peace Arch monument create a pleasant setting for a short walk. The park grounds are expansive and well-maintained, with views across Semiahmoo Bay. It is particularly beautiful in spring when the gardens are in full bloom, and it offers a genuinely unusual experience — walking freely across the international border in a park that celebrates the friendship between two nations.
Tips for Walkers
- Year-round access: All of these walks are accessible year-round, though forest trails can be muddy in winter. Waterproof footwear is advisable from November through March.
- Safety: All trails listed are in safe, well-used areas. That said, the forest trails in Sunnyside Acres and Crescent Park can be quiet on weekday mornings — walk with a friend or keep your phone handy if that is a concern.
- Dogs: Dogs are welcome on most trails but must be on-leash unless otherwise posted. See our dog owner's guide for specific off-leash areas.
- Combining walks: Many of these trails can be combined for longer outings. A Promenade-to-Semiahmoo-Trail walk covers nearly 8 km and provides a satisfying half-day outing.
The walkability of White Rock and its surrounding green spaces is one of the strongest lifestyle draws for buyers. If proximity to trails matters to you, explore homes near these routes on our listings page.