When it comes to accessing the outdoors, Vancouver locals know they’ve got it good. Home to a cityscape contained between a rocky coastline pockmarked with bays, fjords and inlets and the southern reach of British Columbia’s Coast Range, the scenery doesn’t disappoint. Nor does Vancouver's abundance of trails.
Hiking is big here, and it shows. Vancouver and the province of British Columbia have invested heavily in creating exceptionally well-marked trails and infrastructure for accessing some surprisingly rugged terrain in the surrounding North Shore and Squamish area mountains while minimizing impact on the environment. Boardwalks are common. Trams will transport you up or down, allowing for one-way hikes. Skywalks and suspension bridges place you among the forest canopies and over ravines.
Whether it's scrambling up to panoramic summits above steep glacier-carved inlets, exploring kelp-laden coves and lighthouses along the shoreline or strolling down serene pathways through temperate old growth, it’s all there within the city’s reach. In fact, it’s all accessible within the same day. And a 45-minute drive north up the Sea-to-Sky Corridor will open up an entirely new playground of possibilities among Squamish’s granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
To help get you started, we've compiled a list covering some of Vancouver's top scenic trails, parks and climbs. Take a hint from the locals and add Vancouver to your list of outdoor destinations to explore. You’ll be glad you did.
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