In...Vancouver
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In... |
Vancouver |
All trail routes described here are not necessarily ready for usage TCT
signs can be seen most of the way. Depend on the descriptions from the
Seabus to Science World because signage is still very sparse in this
section. Much of the signage is found on the bikeway signs and
sometimes not in both directions.
Caution is required using these trails as they are being upgraded. Expect detours where there is trail construction in progress.. Another detail description by Sue Burnham The Pedestrian/Cycling Trail (West to
East) Coal Harbour Trail (Seaside Bikeway) The trail through the city starts at the SeaBus Terminal (This is the best time to take a side trip east to Gastown) and leads along the shoreline of Coal Harbour (a temporary path is in place for a short section while the seawall is being completed). Stanley Park Trail (Seaside Bikeway) (Stanley Park Intro and Map)
It is 9.0 km from the park entrance across from Lost Lagoon along
Coal Harbour to the start of Beach avenue past the Fish House Restaurant and the Park
Board Office. The half way point is 300 metres before the Lions Gate Bridge)
A side trip accessed from the north side
of Lost Lagoon from Second Beach takes the traveler through Stanley Park's Bridal Path of
cedar and douglas fir giants to Lake Trail.
Cyclists traveling west Please Note: Cyclists going east to west need to cross over the south side of Lost Lagoon, south of Second Beach to follow the one-way cycling path around Stanley Park. You will have to cross over a second time to continue your journey along Coal Harbour. On one of the trips across you may wish to take the side trip described in the paragraph just above this one, thus, avoiding doing the trip along Lost Lagoon a second time. West End Trail (Seaside Bikeway) The Trail continues along English Bay, Sunset Beach and crosses False Creek over the historic Burrard Street Bridge. The bike and walking trail is almost always separate right up to the Aquarium. Go past the Aquarium and take the first path to the left to Beach Avenue. Follow Beach to Burrard. Cyclists should follow the signs up to the bridge. Walker should take the West stairs to the West sidewalk of the bridge. An alternative to crossing the Burrard Street Bridge is to take the Aquabus from the Aquatic Centre at Sunset Beach to the Maritime Museum then follow the path east along the waterfront to join up with the Trans Canada Trail. It will accommodate both pedestrians ($2.00 for a single adult). Cyclists wishing to use the Aquabus need to proceed further going under the Burrard Street Bridge to the top of Hornby Street. This latter Aquabus does not go to the Maritime Museum but will go directly to Granville Island ($2.50 for a single adult on a bicycle). South False Creek
Trail (Seaside Bikeway) On the southside of Burrard Bridge it is worthwhile to follow the waterfront westward along Kitsilano Beach, Jericho Beach, and Spanish Banks. There is a youth hostel in the Jericho Beach area. Past Spanish Banks are the University of BC Endowment Lands, it is also worthwhile to continue to the UBC campus where there is the Museum of Anthropology and the Pacific Spirit Park. The Nitobe Gardens and the Marine Drive Botanical Gardens are also great attractions. Continue past
the Community of Kitsilano skirting Vanier Park, the site of the Vancouver Museum and Observatory
leading eastward to Granville Island (map)
and the Trans Canada Trail Marker Pavilion site behind the False Creek Community Centre at
the end of Alder Bay. The logistics of getting on and off
the Burrard bridge are still being worked out. For now, the best and most
interesting route is to turn westward on the first street
you come to, Chestnut On Granville Island follow the
Park Walk. Watch for the sign post Completing nearly 18 km of seawall, the Trail continues east
from here along the banks of
South False Creek crossing Granville Island.
From Science World you may wish to continue to the Plaza of Nations to Cambie Street Bridge, then turn north past the BC Place into Yaletown along Beattie Street, continue past GM Place up to Pender, follow Pender to Columbia and then turn south to Keefer.
Chinatown Trail Follow Columbia Street northward to Keefer Street. Then Follow Keefer eastward through the markets of Chinatown (Map). Cross Main Street (Community of Strathcona) along Keefer passing a Chinese Temple, the Strathcona Community Centre (pool and restrooms), the historical Strathcona School, and Maclean Park to Hawks Avenue. Restrooms may be open in the park. Note the colorful and historical residences around this park and along Hawks Avenue. Follow Hawks Avenue to Union Street. Portside Trail
(includes Adanac, Lakewood and Portside bikeways) Turn east on on Union Street on one of
Vancouver City's commuter bikeways. Follow Union Street which becomes Adanac Street (Canada spelled backwards) after making a short jog to the left (north) on Vernon Drive.
Follow Adanac Street crossing Clark and Commercial Streets. (Community of Grandview-Woodland) - Follow Commercial south to First Avenue to experience the
Italian Quarter.
Continuing along Adanac cross Victoria to
Lakewood Street. Here, the Trail heads north following a pathway through the
Templeton School Yard. Follow Wall Street eastward taking in several small parks
overlooking Burrard Inlet along the way. It is worth going up to a viewpoint in Burrard
View Park to experience a great view of Burrard Inlet. Pass 'Dusty' Greenwell Park, cross
Renfrew Street and continue along Wall Street to the path that goes up to a crosswalk onto
the Overpass to New Brighton Park and the industrial waterfront.. Take the east sidewalk on the overpass to a stairway on the right (cyclists need to continue to the bottom of the ramp and turn right towards the seawall). The stairway leads to the seawall. Follow the seawall east while viewing the port along with the Casacadia Grain Elevators. Pass the pool area and public restrooms (closed during the winter). Do read the bronze historical marker across from the washrooms. Proceed under the railroad tracks and follow a path eastward to Bridgeway Road. The path continues along Bridgeway until it makes a sharp turn south. Keep going east in spite of the signs on the gate for vehicles and continue under the Second Narrows Bridge/Iron Workers Memorial Bridge and then over the new trail bridge that has been constructed to go over the CN tunnel entrance. This will take you right into Burnaby. Note that the from this trail bridge you will two sets of tracks, the CN going over the CP tracks to North Vancouver. It is also a great vantage point for all kinds of boat activity in waters that have difficult currents. Distances: Note: The TCT km markers are intended to start at 0 km at Granville Island TCT Pavilion and finish at the TCT Burnaby Mountain TCT Pavilion at the 20 km mark. At this time they start at New Brighton Park 10 km away from Granville Island.
Granville Island TCT Pavilion to Burnaby
Mountain Pavilion
= 20 km
Elevation Changes Public Washroom Facilities and
Staging areas Accommodation Public Transportation and Shuttles Shops and Restaurants For More Information |
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Edited by Léon Lebrun, Southwest Region Council Chair, Trails BC.
Copyright © 2000 The Trails Society of British Columbia.
Site developed by Sonotek® Publishing Ltd., Merritt, B.C. Canada
Continue around Stanley Park keeping to the
right passing by Totem Park, The Harry Jerome Monument, Brockton Point, Lumberman's Arch (access to the Aquarium/Zoo), the Lion's Gate Bridge overhead, Siwash Rock, Third Beach and Second Beach,
also taking in historical markers/monuments, beaches,
and sensational views. The Aquarium
and Zoo are easily accessible from Lumberman's Arch. Public restrooms can be found at
Brockton Oval, Lumberman's Arch, Third and Second Beach.
Then work your way back to Lost Lagoon via Lake Trail over the
Stanley Park Causeway, follow Beaver Lake on the north side to Beaver Lake Trail
continuing around the lake until you reach South Creek Trail on the south side. Follow
South Creek Trail through the rose gardens and under the Stanley Park Causeway. Here you
may choose to get back to Second Beach on either side of Lost Lagoon -- cyclists must
follow the south side.
(The Communities of
that has the following 3 signs: Island Park Walk, Birch Walk and Granville
Island to go to the TCT Pavilion and to find the washrooms at the False
Creek Community Centre.
With its striking views of the city and the
North Shore, the Trail heads eastward to Science World. There is a temporary path from Cambie
Street Bridge to Science World, an area that is slated for new land development. Expect detouring during industrial
and construction activity.
The school built a plaza for
the enjoyment of Trans Canada Trail travelers. Pay close attention to the Mosaics made by
the students of this school. Can you identify the provincial birds?
(
