If you visit, stop by the Vancouver tourist centre for help on how to get there, maps, and a slight discount on admission -- if you are a student, remember to bring your student ID card. Lynn Canyon Park This suspension bridge is the main feature of this beautiful park, much like Capilano’s, but it’s lesser known, free, and close enough to the parking lot for those who want a beautiful view without a long hike. An ecology centre offers maps, kids’ corner, and seasonal programs if you want to explore the area further. There’s potential for those interested in serious outdoor adventures, too -- bicycles and horses are permitted in some areas of the park, and there are many walking trails that can provide you with a full day’s walk, perhaps even without tracing your steps back again! The bridge is safe enough for everyone and the views are really astounding. On a busy weekend, you might have to share the bridge with other walkers and cyclists, but if you pick a quiet weekday, few people will be around and you might even enjoy some time solo just watching the reflection of the evergreen trees on the pools that rapidly transform into a raging whitewater below. If you walk for another few minutes, you’ll reach a gentle pool, aptly named 30 Foot Pool, or even the two nearby parks that are interconnected by a series of trails. You can find trails leading to waterfalls, the canyon floors, lakes, and spectacular scenery along all of them. This park is perfect for those people who love to get outdoors into the unspoiled wilderness not too far away from the Vancouver area (7 km north of Highway 1) and enjoy a day walking in the tranquil area! Bowen Island You can get there by driving to Horseshoe Bay, then taking the Queen of Capilano ferry for a modest $20-$25 fare, or by bus. Enjoy the view of the Howe Sound Crest mountains from the sheltered outdoor area in any weather, and relish the feeling of stepping off the ferry straight into a park! Crippen Regional Park isn’t just a park; it includes kayak rental shops, cafés, pubs, shops and more. Some people choose to consider the hour-long ferry ride their adventure, but if you want to explore, the possibilities for enjoying the outdoors are numerous. Outside of Crippen Park, the terrain is hilly, making for a challenging walk or bike ride. A swimming area is a short walk away if you follow the trails, along with a picnic area if you want to take lunch and enjoy it there. The island’s population does grow during the summer, but if you’re visiting during winter, Bowen Island is a particularly good choice for a peaceful daytrip. Walking along the trails and taking in the sights of the snow-covered fish ladders, the bare-limbed trees towering over them, will be an experience to remember.
Grouse Mountain Accessible by public transportation or just a half hour car drive away, this is a great spot if you have a little extra cash for the gondola ride, or if you want an intense climb! If you buy tickets ahead of time, get them from the tourist centre in downtown Vancouver and save a few dollars. There is a lumberjack show, bears and wolves, documentary films, and a “Screaming Eagle” chairlift that’s used in the summer for a scenic ride and wonderful views. All this and more is actually included in admission, so stick around and make the most of your money, because Grouse Mountain can be a fun daytrip. Probably not the best destination for those who do have a car (choose Cypress Mountain instead), but if your ability to get around is limited, this will probably be your mountain of choice. For those workout fanatics, the Grouse Grind is the biggest reason to go. It isn’t the most scenic of climbs, and it’s grueling. The Grind consists of three kilometers of jumbo-sized stairs up the mountain. It will save you $15 on admission, though, and will definitely make your legs burn by the end! Budget at least an hour to an hour and a half for this climb, and bring the $5 fare to catch the Skyride back down the mountain after spending at least two or three hours taking in the exhibits. Oh, and don’t miss getting a Beavertail -- the delicacy consists of fried bread with your choice of toppings, from chocolate to maple syrup, cinnamon powder, jam, cream, and many more options. Reward yourself with one, particularly if you hiked to the summit! Cypress Mountain If you have a car and love the outdoors, this is probably a better option than Grouse Mountain. You can get to this mountain by taking the Lions Gate Bridge to Highway 1/99, then taking exit 8 to Cypress Bowl Road. In the winter, there are some coaches that take visitors to the mountain. If you stop about halfway up the mountain, there is a clearing on the right-hand side that gives you a great view of Vancouver! The view of sunset is spectacular, but whatever time of day you come here, remember to bring a camera. If you’re lucky, you can even see as far as Mount Baker, in Washington. This is another lesser-known destination, so it’s less crowded and cheaper. The ski hill at the top of the mountain has great downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and tobogganing. If you come in the summer, mountain biking and hiking will keep you entertained. This is a fantastic alternative to Whistler that is much closer to Vancouver, without the “tourist trap” feeling, crowds, and steep prices.
Map of Outdoor Activities Vancouver
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Capilano Suspension
Lynn Canyon
Bowen Island
Grouse Mountain
Cypress Mountain
