#1 - Stanley Park Seawall Trail
Stanley ParkLength: 5.8 mi • Est. 2 h 29 m
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.
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