Biking the Seawall in Stanley Park
Biking the Seawall is one of the best ways to see as much of Vancouver's
Stanley Park, the
Beaches and
English Bay as
you can in one afternoon. Biking the seawall is a favourite thing to do by
locals and visitors alike.
It is a well-paved, 9 km (5.4 miles) route that has little elevation change and
follows the coast line from downtown all the way to
Kitsilano and
Spanish Banks.
Cyclists have access to paths
that parallel the roadways and at certain points they share the Seawall with
pedestrians. At designated congestion areas signs are posted requiring that
bikes be walked for short distances. Designated trails are also allocated to
bicycle traffic. The counter clockwise direction of travel also applies to
bicycles. Lots of signage, some including maps, is posted to make it easy to
follow directions. Pedestrians have the right of way.
The seawall around Stanley Park offers some of the best views in Vancouver,
along with a welcome break form the bustle of city life. This is one of the most
pleasant family rides in the city. As you roll your way around the seawall, take
your time. Marvel at the diversity of Vancouver and its many ways of life.
Excellent views of Burrard Inlet and the city of Vancouver.
Taking a bike tour along the Seawall is also the perfect way to view many of
the city's most popular landmarks and
Attractions. We've put together this itinerary to help you plan a day of
fun (and exercise) on the Seawall!
Where to Start:
The best place to start the bike tour on the Seawall is around the intersection
of Denman and Georgia streets. Parking in the area is scarce, so take a taxi or
you can walk there in about 20 mins from most
hotels in downtown Vancouver.
Unless you've brought your own, you'll need to rent bikes and there are numerous
rental shops on Denman between Robson and Georgia. It costs anywhere from $6 and
hour to about $30 to rent a top-of-the-line bike for the day, and this includes
a lock and helmet.
Bayshore Rentals
745 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC Canada
Tel (1) 604.688.2453
Web Site:
Stanley Park Cycle
768 Denman Street
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Phone: 604-688-0087
Web Site:
Getting Started:
Follow Alberni St. west from Denman and follow the path that heads under the
bridge. Presto - you are on the Seawall and ready for your day of fun (and
exercise)
First Up: Stanley Park
The first leg of the journey is the 8.8km loop around Stanley Park. Flat, well
paved and filled with wonderful vistas of the North Shore Mountains, the
downtown skyline and more, it is a stunning start to your day.
You could spend the day just seeing what Stanley park has to offer don't be
afraid to leave the seawall, and explore the Park, finding the seawall again is
really easy just look for the mountains and head there.
points of interest along the way
- 9 o'clock gun. (canon actually)
- Brockton Point and the Lighthouse
- Lumbermen's Arch ( kids spray park and concession stand)
- Aquarium, and miniature train
- Lion's Gate Bridge
- Siwash Rock
- Third Beach and second beach (stop for a dip or an ice cream)
Keep Peddling you're heading to English Bay
As you leave Stanley Park, you will bike along a section of the Seawall that
surrounds English Bay. Home to some of the most stunning sunsets in the city,
this tree-lined section is simply stunning. If you have had enough riding this
is the spot where you would have completed your loop of the park and would head
north along Denman back to the Bike rental.
If you choose to carry on:
Denman and Davie offer many restaurants with fantastic patios, and the perfect
spot for lunch.
- Sunset & English Bay Beaches (wonderful urban beaches)
- Views across the inlet to Kitsilano and Vanier Park.
- Burrard Bridge (large, gothic span across False Creek)
Halfway there and on your way to
Yaletown
Once a hap dash collection of wharves and warehouses, Yaletown is now a booming
area of hi-tech companies, glittering high rises and great shops and boutiques.
This section of the Seawall is also one of the most ornate, with wonderful
architecture and waterfront vistas.
Check Out:
- Urban Fare an upscale food market and grocery store
- BC Place Stadium
the domed stadium that is home to CFL's
BC Lions
- Science World It
might look like a giant metallic golf ball, but this building is home
to one of the coolest attractions in the city. Science World features permanent
exhibits and traveling attractions that will entertain and educate the young.
Continue on your heading to
Granville Island
Continue down the Seawall, under Cambie St. Bridge and past the charming condos
around False Creek. Soon
you will enter bustling and world-famous Granville Island. Home to numerous art
galleries, shops, restaurants and the fabulous Public Market, it is one of the
city's most popular attractions.
Ready to head home?
You'll probably be just about done with your bike at this point.
Hop on the AquaBus and cruise back to False Creek luckily, you can take the
AquaBus across False Creek (bikes welcome!) and get let off back on the Seawall
only minutes from the rental shops.
The more motivated can take the Seawall all the way back around Stanley Park,
while the rest of us would be better served to follow
the Seawall to the entrance of Stanley Park, and then turn right down Stanley
Park Drive.
Follow this cute little road until it hits Lagoon Dr., then turn right down
Robson until it hits Denman. That's right, you are done. Time to get off the
bike and stretch! |
