Bike Riders Rejoice: The Top Spots to Cycle in Metro Vancouver

Take your bike out this summer for a ride on some of Metro Vancouver's best cycling paths.

Here are few of the top spots to spend a day pedalling in the sun around Metro Vancouver

The roads and bike paths around Metro Vancouver offer some of the best cycling in the province. Quiet paths, beautiful views and plenty of places to stop for a snack make Vancouver a great cycling destination.

Here are five of the top spots to go for a pedal.

Stanley Park Sea Wall

Distance: 8.5 km depending on where you start
Elevation change: Small hills

Difficulty: Beginner

The seawall is one of Vancouver’s favourite cycling destinations. The 8.5 km Stanley Park section takes you on a wonderful seaside loop of Vancouver’s island park. It can be very busy with rollerbladers, walkers, runners and everything in-between, so expect plenty of hustle and bustle during your ride. Parking can be found at various locations throughout Stanley Park. On your ride, stop at some of the grassy hillsides for a rest in the sun.

For a longer ride, there are several starting points to choose from. Start at the Telus World of Science and ride along the west side of False Creek, or begin at Vanier Park and ride across the Burrard Street Bridge and into Stanley Park.

The entire seawall is 22 km long, beginning in Coal Harbour and ending in Kitsilano Beach Park. As usual, there are plenty of places to stop for great food in Vancouver, so take the time to explore something new.

Fort Langley

Distance: 12 km round trip
Elevation: Very small

Difficulty: Beginner

Make your way to Allard Crescent off of 208 Street in Langley. There are a number of places to park, but the most popular spot is at the Derby Reach Regional Park. Most of the Fort to Fort trail follows a well-travelled gravel path ending near Fort Langley.

From the parking lot, head east along the river. Make sure to stop at the many viewing platforms and a heritage cairn that marks the site of the first Fort Langley. The Fort to Fort is a very popular route and can be very busy on sunny days, so expect it to be crowded.

Once in town, you will have to do some on-road cycling to get to the various cafes and attractions. At the end of the trail (6 km), stop at the Fort Langley National Historic Site and experience what life was like in the 1850s. For a bite to eat, there are many small cafes and restaurants in the town and some great places to stop for ice cream before you begin the ride back to your car.

Steveston

Distance: 17 km (round trip) depending on where you start
Elevation change: Very little

Difficulty: Beginner

Parking can be found at the end of No. 5 Road and Dyke Road in Richmond. Follow the gravel path west along the river. There are plenty of beautiful farm fields, birds and heritage buildings to see along the way. Visit the Britannia Heritage Shipyard and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site to get a taste of the historical fishing town that Steveston once was. For lunch, stop at one of the many fish and chip restaurants to experience what Steveston does best.

Port Coquitlam

Distance: 24.4 km loop
Elevation change: Some small hills

Difficulty: Moderate

There are plenty of places to start the Traboulay PoCo Trail, a meandering loop that circles Port Coquitlam. Lions Park on Lougheed Highway is a great, central place to park. Head south across the McAllister Foot Bridge and follow the signs to Colony Farm Regional Park. Slow down as you pass through Colony Farm, as there's plenty of wild life and beautiful fields to take in

The next leg of the journey follows the shoreline of Pitt River all the way to DeBoville Slough. This is a great place to stop for lunch (bring your own); there are spectacular views of Golden Ears Park and the Pitt River that are wonderful to stare at during a mini picnic. Continue on through a series of parks and forest as you make your way back to Lions Park. There are many restaurants near the parking lot if you are in need of an après ride snack.

Boundary Bay Regional Park

Distance: 33 km round trip
Elevation change: Moderate to Intermediate

For an all-day ride, park your car at the Mud Bay Park in Surrey. The gravel path heads west following mud flats and blackberry bushes (watch out for flat tires). Expect to see plenty of eagles, herons, ducks and seabirds along the route. Stop for a break at the Delta Heritage Air Park (5.5km) to see some classic planes or to grab a snack. If you’re there on Sunday, Aug. 14, the airpark is hosting its monthly pancake breakfast.

Further along (12.3 km), stop to visit O.W.L., the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, and take a tour to see their resident owls and eagles. Guided tours run Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Continue the ride along Boundary Bay, all the way to Tsawwassen. Stop here for a bite to eat before turning around for the long ride back to the car.

Be sure to pack some water and snacks with you since this ride can make for a long day.

For a shorter trip you can park at the Delta Heritage Air Park on 104 St., or near O.W.L on 72 St.