As of July 2000, the Trail in Vancouver
is 90% complete, but is not yet signed. It is just under 30 km in length and is
suitable for walking and cycling. Assuming that you are traveling from west to east,
you will find the first half of the Trail is at sea level, followed by a few kilometres of
gentle incline, more level pathway then a steeper but relatively short uphill climb into
Burnaby.
Note:
Bicycle riders need to be aware that the bike path on the Stanley Park section of the
Trail can only be traveled in one direction--from Coal Harbour to English Bay.
COAL HARBOUR TRAIL (2.8 km)
If you are traveling eastward, the Vancouver portion of the Trans Canada Trail will
begin at the Sea Bus station. (Actually, it begins in the middle of the Inlet, but
for practical purposes we will start on dry land). As you exit the station, turn right and
travel along West Cordova to Howe St. Turn right and follow the roadway past the Pan
Pacific Hotel and Canada Place, down the hill to Coal Harbour.The next section of Trail
passes through an area which is still under construction, but within a block you will be
on the Seawall Walk which takes you past the Community Centre (washrooms and cafe),
Cardero's restaurant, the Bayshore Hotel and some of the cities newest and priciest
condominiums. The grassy stretch of Devonian Harbour Park has several interesting
sculptures and a great overlook of the boats at the marina. You will soon be able to see
Lost Lagoon across the road to the south.
STANLEY PARK TRAIL (8.1 km)
As you begin the Stanley Park portion of the Trail,the Vancouver Rowing Club is on your
right. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club is next, and very shortly after that,
the HMCS Discovery Naval Reserve Base on Deadman's Island. At this point, you
will have a spectacular view of downtown Vancouver and the sail-inspired roof of Canada
Place.
You will know that you are in the area of the Vancouver Aquarium when you reach the
large parking lot and the stop for the horse drawn carriages. A little further along
you will see the lawns of Brockton Oval and, perhaps, rugby or cricket players doing
their thing. Don't forget to keep checking the view of the city--further up the
inlet you can see the large orange cranes at the city's container loading docks and the
span of the Iron Worker's (Second Narrows) Bridge.
The totem poles are worth a visit and provide a great picture taking opportunity.
Back on the Trail you will see the bronze statue of Harry Jerome--a record breaking
Vancouver sprinter of the l960's. The caged box at Hallelujah Point holds a gun
which fires every evening at 9 pm.
As you round the corner to Brockton Point you will see some of North Vancouverıs
docks--the big yellow piles are sulphur. If you are thirsty, you will find a water
fountain at the road level adjacent to the lighthouse. You could also travel a
little bit further along then cut off to the Brockton Oval clubhouse which you will see
shortly on the left. Washroom facilities are available there as well.
The Lions Gate Bridge dominates the view to the west; Grouse Mountain is the one with
the clear cut patches. In addition to the seagulls and crows, birds that you might see
include kingfishers, blue herons, loons, cormorants, bald eagles and several species of
ducks; you will hear many more that cannot be seen.
The next points of interest are the Mermaid sculpture and the Empress of Japan
figurehead. Just ahead you will see the colourful play equipment of the Childrenıs water
park. If you look closely you will see that it is built in what was formerly a swimming
pool. This was the famous Lumbermanıs Arch pool where hundreds of Vancouverıs
children learned to swim in the 30's and 40's.
The large log structure at the foot of the hill is the third incarnation of
Lumbermanıs Arch--a tribute to B.C.'s loggers. Up the hill and to the left is the
aquarium, and the Childrenıs zoo is at the top of the hill and to the west.
Restroom are available here, and if it is summer the concession will be open for a
drink or a snack--your last opportunity for several kilometers. If it is a hot day
you might want to carry water. There is a bus stop at the west end of the pool if you wish
to end your hike here.
Approximately 0.5 km further, you will see a small stone bridge on the adjacent
roadway. If you want to take a side trip here, follow the path that heads off to the
right, and it will take you to Beaver Lake. A path circumnavigates the lake--it will
take you half to three-quarters of an hour to complete the circuit.
As you get closer to the Lions Gate Bridge the inlet narrows. You may be fortunate
enough to have a cruise ship, freighter or tow boat making its way under the bridge
at the time you are passing by--an exciting experience.
The Lighthouse is at Prospect Point. The Capilano River enters Burrard Inlet directly
opposite and divides West Vancouver (to the west) and North Vancouver (to the east).
The undeveloped land that you see on the foreshore are part of the Capilano Reserve
of the Squamish First Nations.
When you turn the corner of Prospect Point the inlet widens again. If it is a hot
summer or fall day, you may be hit with the smell of the cormorant guano--hold your breath
and move quickly--it doesnıt last long! But do take the time to stop and look
up--the bird's nesting situation is interesting. You will also see a vantage point
which is reached from the roadway above.
The next section of the Trail is very beautiful. It hugs the shoreline at the
bottom of 200 foot cliffs which are covered with trees and interesting grasses and mosses.
The view of ocean and mountains is spectacular. If the tide is out, the beach is
accessible in several places--be careful of slippery rocks. There are benches at
regular intervals. If you walk this stretch of the Trail in the late afternoon you
will be walking directly into the setting sun--a consideration if it is a hot day.
Take the time to stop and read the plaques at Siwash rock before you turn the corner
and head east. Naming them from east to west, Kitsilano, Spanish Banks and Point Grey are
on the south side of English Bay. You will also likely see several freighters waiting
their turn to load or unload cargo at the docks in Burrard Inlet. If it is stormy,
watch out for the waves which break over the Seawall at this point; they could give a
thorough soaking.
Your next opportunity for a drink, snack or bathroom break will come at Third Beach--a
very popular family spot in the summer months and a great place for swimming.
If you are in the mood for an elegant lunch or cup of tea, take the stairs up
to the parking lot and head up the hill to the Ferguson Point Teahouse. There is a
pathway back down to the Seawall at the south-east corner of the lawn area at Ferguson
Point.
Back on the Trail you are now headed toward Second Beach. More beautiful
scenery, a resident heron, kayakers and canoeists--general west coast ambiance!!
Second Beach has a great new swimming pool which is open from May to Sept. It is
heated to 80 degrees and is planned in such a way as to give opportunities for all kinds
of aquatic activities. The concession is open in the summer months, there are a two
water fountains in the area and the restrooms are open year round.
WEST END - BURRARD BRIDGE TRAIL (2.6 km)
The next section of Trail is another without a visible or audible roadway adjacent to it
--a truly beautiful stretch that will take you to English Bay. It is very easy
to re-enter the real world here--busses for all directions, taxis, restaurants, pubs and
an ice cream parlour are all within a short block. There is a concession stand
and restrooms on the beach.
A short distance after the English Bay concession, you will see a large stone
Inukshuk--a Inuit structure gifted to the city by the Northwest Territories after
Expo 86. As you make your way westward you will see the Burrard Street Bridge
straight ahead. The Maritime Museum and the Vancouver Museum /Planetarium can be
seen on the south side of False Creek.
When you reach the Aquatic Centre at Sunset Beach, you will have to decide if you are
committed to every foot of the Trail --in which case you will walk up Thurlow Street
and across the west sidewalk of the Burrard Street Bridge. A fun alternative is to
catch the small ferry to Granville Island and rejoin the Trail at the south end of the
causeway (the only traffic route on and off the Island). Foot passengers will be
able to take the first ferry they come to, but bikers will have to proceed further along
the Seawall to Howe St. where there is another ferry prepared to carry bicycles. The
cost is under $4.00.
If you have chosen to cross the Burrard Bridge, you will stay on the sidewalk as it
curves around to the right, then turn right onto Chestnut Street and proceed north until
you see the roadway into the Planetarium and the College of Music. Turn right here. The
Vancouver Museum is certainly worth a side-trip, but to stay on the Trail you will
pass the College of Music building and keep going until you can turn right at the
Marina. Make your way east through the Marina property and rejoin the Seawall Walk
which will take you to the entrance to Granville Island. The Island is definitely
worth exploring--food, beverages,washrooms and interesting shopping!
SOUTH FALSE CREEK TRAIL TO SCIENCE WORLD (4.8
km)
Shortly after crossing the causeway and passing the pond you will see the red
roof of the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion located at the head of Alder Bay. Individuals and
groups can purchase one or many metres of Trail and have their name or that of a family
member or organization inscribed on panels such as those you see in the Pavilion.
The next section of Trail follows the Seawall walk which skirts the condominium
community of False Creek South. There are lots of benches where you can sit and take
in the view of boats and harbour traffic. The high rise buildings and condominiums that
you can see on the north side of False Creek are in Yaletown--a new development on the
former Expo 86 site.
You will pass by Monk McQueenıs restaurant, a convenience store and several other
small businesses before you come to the Cambie Street Bridge. At some point in the
future, the Trail will continue to follow the waterıs edge to Science World--the large
dome that you can see to the east.
For the moment, Trail travelers will have to turn right and head south. When you
reach the end of the walkway, turn left and cross under the Cambie bridge. You will
now be on 1st Avenue, and you will travel east to Ontario Street.
This area of Vancouver is slated for development in the very near future and most of
the old buildings that were on the site have been demolished. An exception is the Canron
building at the foot of Ontario. Just past this building, you will make a left hand
turn and follow the marked bicycle path to the edge of False Creek, then travel on to
Science World--another interesting spot to explore. Washrooms, food and beverages are
available to the left at the south-west side of the building. If you are traveling during
the Indy there will be detours in this area.
PORTSIDE BIKEWAY TRAIL TO WALL STREET (4.6 km)
When you leave Science World continue along Quebec Street to the
intersection. Cross through the intersection, staying on Quebec Street. (A turn to
the left would take you to the Plaza of Nations then into Yaletown). Very shortly after
you pass under the Sky Train tracks and the Georgia Viaduct, you will see, on your left, a
large artificial turf playing field. You will be turning right and heading east on Keefer
Street, but you may want to visit the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens on the north-west corner of
Keefer and Columbia (Quebec St. becomes Columbia at this intersection). You may also want
to travel another block further and turn right to visit more of Chinatown.
Follow Keefer Street eastward for several blocks. You will pass McLean Park then
Strathcona School-which is the oldest in the city. There are washrooms at the Strathcona
Community Centre in the 600 block of Keefer. Take time to look at the houses--this is one
of the oldest areas of the city and many of the original homes remain.
When you reach Hawks Avenue, turn right and travel south to Union Street. Turn
left and head eastward on Union, and donıt miss La Casa Gelato at the corner of Union and
Glen Drive. They have dozens of delicious flavours of Italian ice cream and sherbet.
Shortly after, the Trail takes a short jog to the north along Vernon Drive, and Union
becomes Adanac.
The Trail then begins a very gentle climb up to Commercial Drive--a largly Italian
community which is another worthwhile side trip. If you want to explore, turn right
and walk south to 1st or 2nd Avenue and back (10 blocks or so), and you will see
much of what this interesting area has to offer.
From Commercial Drive head up the hill along Adanac to Victoria Drive and beyond.
You will soon reach Templeton School. On the school grounds you will find a plaza
which has been constructed specifically for Trans Canada Trail trekkers, and interesting
mosaics of provincial birds.
Travel north along Lakewood, through East End residential areas--cross Hastings
Street, cross Dundas Street and proceed to the end of Lakewood. Here you will
take a jog to the left through the park, and end up on Wall Street.
WALL STREET TRAIL TO BURNABY (4.2 km)
Turn right and make your way along the residential area of Wall Street.
Several blocks along, you will pass Burrard View Park on your right. The newly
renovated house in this parK is a hospice. Dusty Greenwell Park is next on your left with
the grain elevator looming large. Another two blocks will bring you to the end of
Wall Street. Follow the obvious pathway to McGill Street, turn left and take the west side
of the overpass down to Commissioner Street. The Trail is still under construction in this
area, and for the moment travelers will follow the path as it curves under the overpass.
When you reach the other side of the overpass, you will be able to cross the lawn area and
reach the Seawall Walk and dock. Spend some time watching the marine traffic and taking a
good look at the grain elevators of Cascadia Terminals.
New Brighton Park has an outdoor pool, washrooms and a concession stand which will be
open in the summer months. To continue on, make your way past the washrooms and
concession, through the small tunnel under the train tracks, to the pathway on the left
hand side of the road at the top of the small hill. This will take you to Bridgeway Street
where you might find it more interesting to walk on the unpaved, north side of the street
in order to have a closer look at the elevators.
A long block later, you will turn south on Skeena and be faced with a short but fairly
steep hike through the tunnel. Use the sidewalk on the left hand (east) side of the
tunnel and when you reach the crosswalk shortly after exiting the tunnel, turn right,
follow the path for a very short distance and make another right turn when it joins the
Trail. Take the time to stop and have a look at the view. Vancouver, Burrard
Inlet and the North Shore are all laid out before you.
The next stretch of the Trail leads up the hill, past Bates Park where you can
have another look at the bridge and the North Shore mountains before continuing along the
last short stretch which takes you to Boundary Road--the end of the Vancouver portion of
the Trans Canada Trail.
Busses run on Hastings Street which is approximately 2 km south along Boundary.
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