With Vancouver's North Shore communities nestled between the Coast Mountains and the shores of English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and Indian Arm, nature and boundless outdoor adventure permeates everyday life.
Visit these popular hiking and mountain biking sites:
In addition to hiking and mountain biking, check out these:
CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND TREETOPS ADVENTURE
3735 Capilano Road
604-985-7474
There's a lot we could say about Greater Vancouver's number one attraction (and the oldest-it dates back to 1889), we reckon we'll get your heart racing as you cross the 450-foot (137m) swaying bridge that's suspended 230 feet (70m) above Capilano River. Not to be missed is the exhilarating Treetops Adventure where you wander through the forest canopy along seven suspension bridges 100 feet (30m) above the ground. There are plenty of easy forest strolls and a cliffhanger walk to keep your pulse racing.
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GROUSE MOUNTAIN AND THE GROUSE GRIND
6400 Nancy Greene Way
604-980-9311
If it's action you want, there are non-stop year-round adventures to keep your heart racing. The most famous is the Grouse Grind, a seasonal (yes, we take the winter off) grueling, near vertical run-a foot slog for some-2.9k hike up the mountain, gaining 2800 feet in elevation. Little wonder it's known as the "Mother Nature's Stairmaster." Believe-it-if-you-will, it's where some couples go on a first date to see what their love-interest is made of. Really. More conventional adventures await like skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, hang-gliding, and hiking.
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Grouse Grind »LYNN CANYON SUSPENSION BRIDGE & ECOLOGY CENTRE
3663 Park Road, Lynn Valley
604-981-3103
A suspension bridge that's as high as being 20-stories above ground, rainforest hiking trails (lots of them since the park is 616 acres), and a 30-foot pool-a popular summer swimming spot, are a few of Lynn Canyon's draws.
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LIGHTHOUSE PARK
South end of Beacon Lane off Marine Drive, West Vancouver
This magical and rugged 75-hectare (185 acre) seaside park in the depths of suburban West Vancouver has been home to a lighthouse since 1874, although the existing structure was built in 1912. The Park is a fragile remnant of old growth forest, and its trails, many of them steep and challenging, make for an invigorating hike.
Lighthouse Park »
ROCKWOOD ADVENTURES
A bonus for signing on for one of Manfred Scholermann's urban or nature adventure tours-rainforest hikes, kayaking expeditions, float plane adventures-is the food. Yup, food. Scholermann is an Olympic culinary chef. And yes, the food is that good.
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MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK AND LOWER SEYMOUR CONSERVATION RESERVE
This is one on Vancouver's North Shore's best-loved recreational areas drawing enthusiasts from around the region, and plenty of visitors too. The paved 10 km Seymour Valley Trailway is a beacon for hikers, walkers, in-line skaters, and road cyclists while a vast network of off-road trails appeal to the area's extreme-style mountain bikers. Try fishing in Rice Lake, or kayaking and canoeing on the Seymour River.
Great Vancouver Regional District »
HIKING TRAILS
Take a hike, eh? It doesn't get any easier than heading for Vancouver's North Shore where trails or every sort abound suitable for every fitness level. And it's why so many of us choose to live here. With so many incredible options, it's no wonder that the world (plus the rest of the region) beats a path to our proverbial door to embark on our vast network of trails. We're good at sharing, and giving advice or an assist too.
Seymour Demonstration Forest Trail »
Mount Seymour Provincial Park »
CYPRESS PROVINCIAL PARK
This provincial park contains many summer and winter hiking trails for enthusiasts of all abilities.
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Summer Trails »
CYPRESS MOUNTAIN
This popular ski mountain is the site for two of the gnarliest, most fun events 2010 Olympic Winter Games events, freestyle skiing and snowboarding. In the meantime, it's skiing, boarding, and biking (that's summer mountain biking), as usual.
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MOSQUITO CREEK PARK
This linear 11-hectare city park boasts trails along both sides of Mosquito Creek that bisects the park. The main trail is part of the Trans Canada trail and is a multi-use path where walkers, cyclists, and off-leash dogs co-exist.
Parks in the City of North Vancouver »
DEEP COVE CANOE AND KAYAK CENTRE
Located in picturesque Deep Cove on Indian Arm, the centre offers a range of options from straight-up kayak rentals, to lessons and guided day and weekend paddles.
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SEWELL'S MARINA
Want to rent a boat, go on a fishing charter, or a Sea Safari wildlife eco tour? Sewell's can fill the bill and has been doing just that for more than 75 years, which likely explains locals' long-time loyalty to this friendly, go-to Horseshoe Bay marine operator.
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CLEVELAND DAM
This remarkable dam, built in 1954, sits atop the Capilano River Regional Park that blocks Capilano Lake that supplies about 40% of the Lower Mainland's fresh drinking water. Park at the Cleveland Dam parking lot to view water spilling over the dam. Capilano Lake and the peaks of the Lions provide a spectacular backdrop. There are also several short hikes and trails that lead to amazing views of the dam.
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BADEN POWELL TRAIL
This 41 km scenic rugged, wilderness trail stretches from the head of Burrard Inlet in Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. It starts at the Grouse Mountain parking lot and winds eastward to Panorama Drive in Deep Cove, a 10-hour hike. Call 990-3800 for information.
District of North Vancouver »
Trail Peak »
COHOWALK
This scenic and easy hike along the Capilano River can be accessed year round and takes about two hours.
Trail Peak »
WEST VANCOUVER SEAWALL WALK
You'll feel like a local as you stroll this picturesque seawall that affords perfect views of Vancouver's Stanley Park, the Lion's Gate Bridge, and the freighters moored in English Bay.
BC Passport »
NORTH SHORE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
This is the place for riding lessons-individual or group-and the place to sign up for summer riding camp.
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