When the weather is nice, biking the Stanley Park seawall is one of the top things to do in Vancouver. The seawall runs around the perimeter of Stanley Park and is 10 kilometres long with beautiful views of surrounding mountains and some beaches on the far part of the park. This is a must do in Vancouver!
Bike Rentals
If you don’t have a bike of your own, there are many places where you can rent one, most of which are right by the entrance to the park. There are a variety of different bikes available for rent, something to suit everyone and for every budget. These rentals typically include a helmet, bike lock, and a map of the park. Most bike rental staff have lots of knowledge on the park itself and can suggest to the best things to see while biking the park.
How Long it Takes
It generally takes around 1-2 hours to complete the Stanley Park bike route. This gives you enough time to stop, take in the views, and enjoy a picnic on one of the beaches. For those seeing the seawall for the first time, allowing closer to two hours is recommended. If you don’t want to explore the route on your own, there is a 3-hour guided tour available. The tour takes you along the seawall as well as through the middle of the park. It is a great chance to learn lots about the park, the wildlife, and the surrounding area.
Park Bike Route
The bike path around the park operates on a one-way system as the path is quite narrow in many parts. You can only cycle counterclockwise around the park. The path is split in two, with the outer path designated for walkers and runners and the inside for bikes. Local cycling etiquette is to stay on the right-hand side of the lane and leave the left side for overtaking.
The first stop on your trip is the totem poles at Brockton Point. They are First Nations’ works of art and a great spot to appreciate the history and culture. The Nine O’clock Gun is a cannon that is shot every night at 9 pm and has done so almost every night since the early 1900s, it has sat proudly on the seawall for over 200 years. A short ride from this is the Brockton Point Lighthouse. It is a small lighthouse situated right out on the point. The next stop while biking the park is Beaver Lake. This is one of the few stops that take you into the interior of the park, the path to get here is for walking only. Other must-see spots include Lions Gate Bridge, Siwash Rock, Third Beach, Second Beach, and English Bay.
Biking Stanley Park seawall is a must for anyone in B.C. It is a great way to spend the day and the views are beautiful. There are many places to stop so take your time and enjoy the interesting places and scenery.
