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If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy Vancouver’s beautiful outdoors, biking the seawall at Stanley Park is a must-do activity. While the city of Vancouver can feel overwhelming with all of its high rise buildings and crowds, Stanley Park is a welcome reprieve from this and is just outside of downtown. This guide will give you all the information that you need to get started on this fantastic ride.
About the Seawall at Stanley Park
The seawall at Stanley Park in Vancouver is a scenic, 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) paved path that follows the coastline around the park, offering stunning views of the city, mountains, and ocean. We were shocked to learn that it’s the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, and it’s perfect for biking, walking, and even rollerblading and scooters.
During our ride there, we saw people of all ages and abilities. We saw everything from toddlers on bike seats, to elderly couples out for a walk or a ride on their cruiser bikes. There’s plenty of space for everyone and there’s a cohesive community feel out on the bike path.
Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre public park that is almost entirely surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. It’s connected by a narrow strip of land to Vancouver, but it really does feel like you’re on an island for most of the time, since there’s water almost all around you. It’s one of Vancouver’s main attractions and is packed full of things to do. Aside from the seawall trail for biking and walking, there’s an aquarium, incredible gardens, a totem pole display, tide pools, and wild blackberries growing everywhere (our kids were obsessed).
The Bike Ride through Stanley Park
The seawall is one-way for cyclists (multid directional for walkers), running counterclockwise around the park. This helps to manage traffic and ensure everyone’s safety. At first it might seem annoying, but it really does help to manage traffic and to allow safer passing all along the trail. There is a short section on the loop with 2-directional traffic, that you’ll encounter just past the playground. This is after the trail leaves the seawall, and there are clear markings on the ground to indicate 2-way bike traffic, so be on the look out for them.
If you arean’t sure if you can make it for the entire loop, there are a few roads in the park that you can use to shorten your route.
In most places, the bike path is directly next to the walking path, separated by a small curb. It’s very important to only ride on the biking side of the trail, to keep pedestrians safe.
Scenic Highlights of the Stanley Park Seawall Bike Ride
Brockton Point Lighthouse
The Brockton Point Lighthouse at Stanley Park is a charming and historic lighthouse that has guided ships safely into Vancouver Harbour since 1915. Situated on the park’s easternmost point, it offers panoramic views of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. The lighthouse, with its red and white design, is a popular spot for photographs.
Totem Poles
The totem poles at Stanley Park are one of British Columbia’s most visited attractions, showcasing the rich indigenous heritage of the region. Located at Brockton Point, these intricately carved poles represent the art and stories of various First Nations peoples. Each pole tells a unique story, reflecting cultural beliefs, traditions, and historical events, all of which are detailed on the signs in front of them.
SS Empress of Japan Boat Figurehead
The Empress of Japan Figurehead Replica is a tribute to maritime craftsmanship. This is a replica of the original figurehead that was on the Empress of Japan ship, and is very detailed and realistic.
The Fox’s Den Spray Park
If you’re biking Stanley Park on a hot day, you’ll want to stop here to cool down. This spray park has lots of fountains and splash areas that are perfect for kids and adults alike. We were riding on an overcast and cooler day, and there were still several people on the water here, so I’m sure it’s a huge hit on hot days.
Lions Gate Bridge
Lions Gate Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that connects Stanley Park in Vancouver to the North Shore. It offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, mountains, and harbor. While it is a fantastic part of the view from the Stanley Park Seawall, bikers can also ride across it on a designated bike lane for an incredible view of the city. The bridge starts at the top of Stanley Park, so expect a good amount of climbing on the road to get up to it.
Siwash Rock
Siwash Rock is a prominent natural outcropping located along the seawall at Stanley Park. At 18 meters tall, this distinctive sea stack is tied to a Coast Salish legend about transformation and purity. It’s a popular spot for photos and offers striking views of the surrounding water and forests. There is a large rocky area here with several tide pools, so this can be a great place to check out when might be living in some of the local tide pools.
Third and Second Beaches
These large, sandy beaches are a great spot to take a break, or even have a planned swim during your ride. Both are popular spots for locals, and we saw everything from childrens birthday parties to a baby shower being held there along our ride. The beaches have picnic areas nearby, though, most locals were just enjoying hanging out on the driftwood or the rocks.
Ceperley Park Playground
We loved this park and it was such a good reward for our kids after completing most of their ride. There are a couple of different play structures as well as plenty of grass to run around on.
What Kind of Bike Do I Need for Biking Stanley Park?
Just about any kind of bike will work great for a ride in Stanley Park. We were there with our mountain bikes, and we saw everything from cruisers and road bikes to toddlers on balance bikes. Recently, a law was passed, permitting the use of electric bikes and scooters on the path around Stanley Park, so you’ll see plenty of those too.
While the entire path is 10km, there is very little elevation gain at all, so even if you are not in fantastic shape, this is a trail that almost anyone can do.
Bike Rentals: If you don’t have your own bike, there are several rental shops in downtown Vancouver less than 1km from the park entrance. Most shops offer a variety of bikes, including cruisers, hybrids, and electric bikes.
Where to Start Biking at Stanley Park?
There are several different places where you can get to the seawall trail at Stanley Park, but the most popular (and easiest), is at the intersection of Denman and Georgia Streets. You can easily bike or walk here from downtown Vancouver, eliminating the need for a car and the hassle of parking.
If you are driving into Stanley Park, the easiest access from Vancouver is to follow the signs on the west side of downtown to Stanley Park, and right after the land narrows with the harbor on each side and you’re approaching the park, follow the signs and exit to the right. The biggest and most convenient parking lot is near the harbor, just past the rowing club where the horse-drawn tours begin. We went on a Sunday afternoon (one of the busiest times to visit), and there were at least 10 open parking spaces, so we didn’t have a problem finding parking (even for our large car and giant bike rack).
Biking Ettiquite at Stanley Park
Near the beginning of the trail, it can feel like there are a lot of cyclists on the trail, and there probably are! This is a very popular path. As the trail goes on farther, people spread out more, but it’s important to practice good biking etiquette alone the way.
Here are some of our top biking ettiquite tips:
Ride on the right side of the trail. While it’s not marked, we had several people try to squeeze by us when we were closer to the middle, which almost caused a crash for both of us. Be a defensive biker and stay to the right.
Always announce yourself when passing. As a safety precaution, always announce that you’re passing whenever you want to go around someone. A simple “on your left” announcement is usually best.
Stop off of the trail. When the trail is on the north end of the park, there isn’t much room off to the side, so if you do need to stop, let any riders behind you know, and then step all the way off the trail with your bike. On areas with no shoulder, you can cautiously walk your bike on the walking side of the trail.
There are several areas where walking your bike is required. Fully dismount your bike and walk through these areas. These are some of the most congested areas, so walking is safer for everyone here.
Is a Bike Trailer or a Bike Seat Better for Kids at Stanley Park?
If you’re trying to choose between getting a bike trailer or an extra seat on your bike for kids at Stanley Park, I recommend the seat. The bike path around the park is about 4-5 feet wide in most places, and with the extra width of a trailer, it would be difficult to pass slower riders along the trail (and difficult for others to pass you as well). While the extra space of a trailer might be appealing (and is perfect for fitting 2 kids), it will make the ride a bit more complicated.
How long does it take to bike around the entire seawall? It typically takes about 1-2 hours to bike the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) seawall, depending on your pace and the number of stops you make to enjoy the views. If we stopped to let the kids explore and play at each of the stops, we could take up to 3 hours there.
Are there any speed limits on the seawall? Yes, the speed limit for cyclists on the seawall is 15 km/h (9 mph).
Can I bike on the seawall at night? While the seawall is open 24/7, it’s best to bike during daylight hours for better visibility and safety. If you do bike at night, make sure your bike has proper lights (not just a flashlight or phone light)
Are there places to stop and rest along the seawall? Absolutely, there are many scenic spots to stop, such as Brockton Point, Third Beach, and Second Beach. These areas offer benches, picnic tables, and beautiful views.
Is it safe to bike with children on the seawall? Yes, the seawall is family-friendly and safe for children. Make sure that everyone wears helmets, and keep an eye on younger kids as the path can get busy and they usually go at a sloer pace that most other riders.
What should I bring with me for a bike ride on the seawall? Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the views. Wearing comfortable clothing and a helmet is also important.
Can I bring my dog along for the bike ride? Dogs are welcome in Stanley Park but must be on a leash at all times. However, managing a dog on a leash on this narrow trail could be a big hazard for both your dog and other riders. We recommend only taking your dog on the seawall trail if you are walking it instead of riding it.
