Burnaby RCMP is warning the public after a woman was sexually assaulted on a trail Thursday afternoon.

The woman was walking along a busy section of the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail at about 12:40 p.m. when police say she was approached by an unknown man and sexually assaulted. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian man with a slim build, 5'7 in height, balding and between the ages of 40 and 50-years-old. He was wearing black gloves, a grey hoodie, black jacket, black Adidas runners with green writing, and grey sweat pants that had very muddy cuffs. He fled through the bushes, travelling on foot towards Lougheed Mall.

We want the public to know that this is a priority for Burnaby RCMP and all available resources including specialized units are being utilized in this investigation, said Cpl. Daniela Panesar in a release. We want to caution the public that if at all possible to walk in pairs or in a group especially in the area around the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail.

If you have any information about this case call Burnaby RCMP's Serious Crime Section at 604-294-7922 or Crime Stoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.