Dilly Dally Loop Trail

The Dilly Dally Loop Trail is a lengthy hike through Indian Arm Provincial Park with a fairly steep incline and a technical, root-covered trail. Make sure to wear proper hiking footwear and bring hiking poles as the long ascent and equally long descent require solid footing and can be quite hard on the knees. Additionally, upper portions of the trail can become covered in snow and ice, making snowshoes, crampons, and microspikes necessary in certain trail conditions.

This route may be heavily forested, but it also has its fair share of amazing views that look out to the west over the Indian Arm and the North Shore on a clear day. Barton Point, Little Valhalla, and Spahats Rigg all offer beautiful viewpoints of the surrounding area, and the “Lakes District” near the summit of Eagle Mountain is also a scenic area to hike through. Continuing along the ridge, Mount Beautiful has some of the most stunning westward views around, and the return journey along Buntzen Lake is a peaceful way to cap off the day. Just make sure to leave enough time to return to the carpark before the gates close for the night.

Setting out on the trail from the parking area next to Buntzen Lake, make your way east across the road to pick up the Halvor-Lunden Trail. Continue to follow it east as the trail winds up the steep incline towards Eagle Mountain. When you reach the junction with the Lindsay Lake Loop, follow it to the left to visit the scenic viewpoints that are dotted around the summit of Eagle Mountain, eventually ending up at a trail junction near the “Lakes District.” Follow the trail to the left to head north along the ridge toward the Dilly Dally Summit.

Continue hiking along the forested ridge for 3.5mi, traversing Tangled Summit, Mount Beautiful, and the Dilly Dally Summit while experiencing their scenic views over the surrounding area. Follow the Dilly Dally Trail as it turns west and begins the long descent toward Little Horn Mountain. Passing by the junction for Little Horn Mountain, keep on the trail as it turns south and skirts alongside McCombe Lake via the Powerhouse Road before meeting up with the Buntzen Lake Trail. From here, simply follow along the trail as it hugs the water’s edge on the return journey of the Dilly Dally Loop Trail.