Vancouver’s one of the best cities for outdoor fun, but unfortunately for those without a car it can be tricky to reach some of the hikes and trails the city has to offer. Fortunately with public transportation, there are still many options you can easily access – and here are some of our favourites.
Stanley Park Seawall
The iconic Stanley Park tops our list for how centrally located and close to downtown it is, making it easily accessible without a car. The Stanley Park Seawall is a 10km loop that take you around the park giving you views of the Vancouver Harbour, North Vancouver and its mountains, Lion’s Gate Bridge, Burrard Inlet and much more. The full loop takes about 2-3 hours to complete with plenty of places to stop for breaks or sight see and the trail is completely flat and paved. Buses that take you to Stanley Park include the 19, 240, 246, 247 and the 250 which you can catch from nearby SkyTrain stations like Burrard and Waterfront.
There are many other activities also available Stanley Park including the Aquarium, bike paths, outdoor pool, tennis courts, beaches, pitch & putt as well as cafes and restaurants.
Grouse Grind
Practically a rite of passage in Vancouver, the Grouse Grind dares keen hikers to take the challenge of scaling Grouse Mountain and making it to the top. A 2.9km climb which involves almost 2,800 steps makes the Grind a very challenging walk but with a satisfying reward of spectacular views and a well deserved gondola ride down. Make sure you’re reasonably fit and prepared with plenty of water before you try and tackle Grouse Grind as it’s not for the faint of heart. To get to Grouse Mountain without a car you can take the 236 bus from Lonsdale Quay.
Lighthouse Park
Lighthouse Park is a great choice for a quieter hike that will get you into nature. Located in West Vancouver, the trails will lead you to the iconic lighthouse that has become one of the most recognized landmarks in Vancouver. We did the Lighthouse Park Viewpoint Loop which takes about 2 hours and while the hike was not too difficult, it is quite rocky and not as paved as the other hikes, so we recommend a pair of solid hiking boots. Fortunately the trees offer shade and a cool sea breeze makes things easier. From downtown you can take the 250 bus and just follow the road signs to reach the park.
Quarry Rock
Another popular choice, Quarry Rock Lookout is a hike located in Deep Cove along the Baden Powell Trail that rewards you with spectacular views of the Burrard Inlet. This is a moderate hike that takes about 1.5 hours to complete, with some steeper sections and a variety of terrain that was more pleasant to hike and not as rocky as Lighthouse Park. This hike does get busy though despite us going on a Friday, we ran into quite a few people on the trail and at the view point so if you prefer the quiet, then try earlier in the week or in the off-season. To get to this trail with public transport, you can take the 211 or 212 bus from Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver.
False Creek Seawall
While the Stanley Park Seawall is a must for tourists, the Seawall itself extends beyond that all the way to False Creek and to Kitsilano and is a popular spot for locals to get their steps in. The False Creek section of the Seawall passes beaches like English Bay and Sunset Beach, beautiful parks like David Lam Park and iconic buildings like B.C Place, and Science World. This is a great choice during the evening to catch the sunset and if you get tired, you can stop by any of the cafes or restaurants nearby in either Yaletown, Olympic Village or even Granville Island.
If you’re looking to catch the sunset or relax at one of the nearby beaches, check out our Favourite Beaches in Vancouver for Picnics.
West Vancouver Centennial Seawalk
Across the water from Stanley Park, you’ll find the West Vancouver Centennial Seawalk, a 4.7km trail that’ll take about 1hr to complete. Here you’ll get views of the Burrard Inlet, Lions Gate Bridge and the mountains. Popular for walking and running, you’ll find many locals enjoying this walk to get their steps in. From downtown you can take the 250 or 253 bus to access this hike without a car.
Lynn Canyon
One of our favourite spots on this list, Lynn Canyon is a great alternative to Capilano Suspension Bridge since it’s free and offers its own suspension bridge. But there’s more to Lynn Canyon, offering a range of hiking trails from short and easy walks to longer and more challenging hikes. We’ve done the Lynn Canyon Loop, a family-friendly hike that takes about 1 hour to complete and visits the three attractions: Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Twin-Falls and the 10-metre pool. We went early in the morning around 10am and it wasn’t too busy but it is a popular area since the bridge is free and the hikes are easily accessible without a car.
That wraps up our favourite hikes in Vancouver that are accessible without a car. There’s still a few we haven’t mentioned like the trails at UBC and Burnaby Mountain but we haven’t had a chance to go on those yet. We hope you enjoyed our picks, let us know what your favourite hike in Vancouver is and if you have any recommendations for us.
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