Best running trails in Vancouver, British Columbia

Parts of the sea wall have been reported closed due to restoration work (November 2020). As Vancouver's largest and most famous, historic park, Stanley Park is extremely popular with both locals and tourists all year around. The heavily trafficked Seawall Loop Trail that surrounds the park hugs the perimeter shoreline and offers beautiful views from beginning to end. This trail is open 365 days a year which brings us to what is perhaps its only drawback. When temperatures reach freezing, the paved path can accumulate very slippery black ice, so extra caution is required. A park conditions search is highly recommended during the winter months.  Accessibility: The trail is smoothly paved all around with two separate side-by-side paths - the beachside for foot traffic and the inner one for bikes and rollerblades. Despite being so busy, the footpath is typically at least four feet wide and there is usually enough room to pass when needed. The grade is moderately steep (most of the trail estimated at 8% or less), but there is a very steep section starting by Siwash Rock after 2.4 miles until 3.4 miles (going clockwise) with grades over 20% uphill and downhill. This section has been marked with waypoints. The restrooms by Stanley's Bar and Grill and by Third Beach are wheelchair accessible. Water wheelchairs are available for free loan on a first-come-first-served basis at the Second Beach Pool between noon and 8 PM. Reservations for water wheelchairs can be made by calling at least 24 hours in advance.Show more

Nice walk along the sea wall and walk way next to beaches. Perfect for a walk, run or a ride.Show more

This is arguably the most beautiful section of the Vancouver Seawall with a nice variety of sights. There is even a small beach off Habitat Island if you wish to venture to the water. It is popular with cyclists and pedestrians and you can visit the Granville Market at the end if you want. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically at least eight feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle with a couple of steep sections between 8% and 10%.Show more

This short woodland walk around Beaver Lake weaves between long-ago-logged stumps, new growth, and some of the park's remaining large cedars and Douglas firs. A pedestrian bridge crosses busy Stanley Park Causeway and connects to more options for easy walks. Great trail for joggers. Paid parking available.Show more

A trail through Vancouver's natural, and urban highlights. This trail guide gives the user a taste of some of the natural gems that so excite local lovers of the great outdoors. The city is built around a spectacular harbour that is surrounded by forested and often snow-clad mountains. A few minutes walk from its 'downtown' centre is North America's largest urban park, which caters to all with paved cycling paths and rougher wilderness tracks. This trail is designed so that you can do it in either direction and end up somewhere with a water view. Along the way, the trail will delve inland to see the park's natural and man-made wonders before finishing at picturesque Coal Harbour where you can watch floatplanes take off towards the mountains.Show more