Stanley Park is one of the most spectacular urban parks in the world. At more than 1,000 acres and surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay, the park is running heaven — and easily reachable from downtown hotels. There are rain forest trails, bucolic gardens, and a 5+ mile seawall trail with great views of the water, mountains, and downtown’s burgeoning skyline. Since there are so many options, it’s hard to recommend a specific running route in Stanley Park, so here are some highlights:
Seawall Loop. 5.8 miles, MAP. Vancouver’s seawall extends 20+miles, but there is great 6 mile seawall loop specifically in the park. Flat, with great views of the water, Lion’s Gate bridge, mountains, and skyline. Starting at the Vancouver Rowing Club, just past the bridge, highlights include Hallelujah Point, Brockton Point Lighthouse (1.2m), Siwash Rock (3.65m), passing under Lion’s Gate Bridge (2.7m), Third Beach, and lost Lagoon. The full loop is 5.8m but one can continue south and west another 0.7m to English Bay Beach and 1.8m to the Burrard St. Bridge, over to Kitsilano.
Forest trails. The inland parts of the park feature 17 miles of Western Rainforest Trails through lush red cedar, hemlock, and douglas fir trees. See the trail map.
‘Round the Lakes. It is 0.6 miles around Beaver Lake, ~1 mile around Lost Lagoon, and ~0.6 miles between the two.
Stanley Park is one of the most spectacular urban parks in the world. At more than 1,000 acres and surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay, the park is running heaven — and easily reachable from downtown hotels. There are rain forest trails, bucolic gardens, and a 5+ mile seawall trail with great views of the water, mountains, and downtown’s burgeoning skyline. Since there are so many options, it’s hard to recommend a specific running route in Stanley Park, so here are some highlights:
Seawall Loop. 5.8 miles, MAP. Vancouver’s seawall extends 20+miles, but there is great 6 mile seawall loop specifically in the park. Flat, with great views of the water, Lion’s Gate bridge, mountains, and skyline. Starting at the Vancouver Rowing Club, just past the bridge, highlights include Hallelujah Point, Brockton Point Lighthouse (1.2m), Siwash Rock (3.65m), passing under Lion’s Gate Bridge (2.7m), Third Beach, and lost Lagoon. The full loop is 5.8m but one can continue south and west another 0.7m to English Bay Beach and 1.8m to the Burrard St. Bridge, over to Kitsilano.
Forest trails. The inland parts of the park feature 17 miles of Western Rainforest Trails through lush red cedar, hemlock, and douglas fir trees. See the trail map.
‘Round the Lakes. It is 0.6 miles around Beaver Lake, ~1 mile around Lost Lagoon, and ~0.6 miles between the two.
The 17-mile Seawall is the world 's longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Highlights include the Stanley Park loop, False Creek, and the Seaside area. Starts downtown, near the harbourfront Convention Centre.
This is a wonderful loop run past the Plaza of Nations, Science World, the Olympic Village and continues through Granville Island. Great water views, skyline views, and tour of Vancouver’s ever-growing glass condo high rises.
Anchor yourself at Kits beach for a multi-sport day. Enjoy the area running paths, bike paths, huge public, heated, outdoor pool, volleyball courts, tennis courts, or rent a kayak. It's all there.
This 130-acre, hilly park in central Vancouver features gardens, a conservatory, outdoor sculptures, and sports fields. It's also a good spot for hill work. Great city views from the top!
On the western shore of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the most spectacular academic settings in the world. Enjoy some running on the leafy campus and the huge wooded park adjoining.
UBC is a large and beautiful campus sitting on the end of the peninsula. One can stitch together a really nice run within the campus, or run in the adjacent gorgeous residential neighborhood, or the trails of Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
The West Point Grey neighborhood is suburban running heaven on the peninsula in Vancouver. The tree-lined streets feature a mix of architectural styles, from classic wood-frame Vancouver homes to more modern, spectacular residences.
The Lion’s Gate Bridge is one of the world’s great “bridge runs”, up there with the Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s exhilarating, with fabulous views in all directions.
A famous 1.8 mile run/walk/hike consisting of 2,830 stairs and gaining 2,800 feet in elevation. Part of Grouse Mountain, which is a major recreation destination 20 minutes drive from Vancouver. A true challenge.
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