Anmore is a small, wooded village in the hills above Port Moody, just east of Indian Arm, the steep fjord that runs north off Burrard Inlet. It is a quiet, semi-rural place, with large lots, forest and a strong sense of being on the edge of the wilderness, despite being only half an hour from downtown Vancouver.
The area's main attractions are its lakes. Buntzen Lake, a reservoir surrounded by forest and mountains, is a popular spot for swimming, paddling and hiking. Sasamat Lake, in Belcarra Regional Park, is one of the warmest lakes in the region in summer, with a floating dock and beaches. Both can get very busy on hot weekends, so arrive early.
The roads around Anmore are narrow and winding, climbing through forest from Port Moody. They are pleasant to ride, but watch for cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife, including bears, which are common in the area. Surfaces can be damp and slippery under the trees, especially in the wet months.
These towns also offer plenty of food and coffee options. From here, the route north towards the Sea-to-Sky Highway and the Duffey Lake Road offers some of the finest riding in British Columbia.
It is worth lingering a moment on Indian Arm itself if you get a glimpse of it. The fjord cuts deep into the Coast Mountains, its walls rising almost straight from the water, and for much of its length there is no road at all; boats and floatplanes reach the cabins along its shore. Standing among the cedars and firs above Port Moody, with the smell of wet bark and the sound of nothing much, it is hard to believe a city of millions lies just over the hill.