Walks and Views

A wild seaside park in West Vancouver with trails through old growth forest down to rocky points and the historic Point Atkinson lighthouse, with views back to Stanley Park and the city. Eagles and cormorants are common, and some trails are steep, so wear good shoes. Free to enter, open daily 7 AM to 10 PM. The parking lot is paid year round, or take the bus along Marine Drive and walk down Beacon Lane. Dogs may be off leash on the trails except Birdsong Path.

A big Metro Vancouver regional park of rainforest wrapped around the UBC campus, with more than 55 km of walking and hiking trails under tall cedars, hemlocks and Douglas firs, the fragile Camosun Bog and steep trails down to ocean beaches. Some trails are shared with bikes and horses. Free, open during daylight hours (closing times are posted at the entrances; earliest is 5 PM).

On Little Mountain, the highest point in Vancouver, this City park has sunken Quarry Gardens built in an old basalt quarry, an arboretum, a rose garden and a lookout with views over downtown and the North Shore mountains. The Love in the Rain sculpture sits at the lookout above the Quarry Garden. The park is free, open daily 6 AM to 10 PM (the Bloedel Conservatory dome and the pitch and putt charge admission, and parking is paid).

One of the biggest urban parks in North America, a provincial park stretching 19 km along Fish Creek in south Calgary, with dozens of kilometres of paved and dirt trails, picnic areas, deer, beavers and the historic Bow Valley Ranche. Start at the Bow Valley Ranch visitor centre or any of the day use areas, each with free parking. Free to enter all year; gates open at 8 AM (the Sikome Lake swimming facility in summer is paid, everything else is free).

A huge natural grassland park on a hill in northwest Calgary, more than 11 square kilometres of prairie, aspen groves and trails, with sweeping views over downtown and the Rockies on a clear day. You may see deer, hawks and coyotes, and the Siksikaitsitapi medicine wheel on top is a sacred Blackfoot site. There are several entrances with free parking and off leash areas for dogs. Free, open daily 5 AM to 11 PM.

A quiet riverside reserve on the Bow River where migratory birds have rested since 1929, with more than 2 km of level gravel trails through the forest, along the river and around a lagoon, plus viewing decks and Calgary's first forest bathing trail. Chickadees will land right beside you in winter. Trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset and the entrance is free. No dogs or bikes inside the sanctuary.

A 50 metre high suspension bridge swaying over a rainforest canyon with waterfalls and deep green pools below, in a free public park run by the District of North Vancouver. Unlike the paid bridge nearby, crossing here costs nothing, and trails continue to Twin Falls and the 30 Foot Pool. There are about 30 steps down to the bridge, so it is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Park gates open daily 7 AM to 6 PM.

The Coal Harbour stretch of the Seawall runs from the Convention Centre to the entrance of Stanley Park, past marinas, float planes landing and taking off, and views of the North Shore mountains. It is flat, paved and about 2 km, perfect for strollers or a lunchtime walk. Free, open all year.

The Seawall continues all the way around False Creek, past Olympic Village, Science World, Granville Island and Yaletown, with little ferries, boats and the skyline on every side. Pick any stretch for an easy flat walk or do the whole loop. Pedestrians and cyclists have separate paths in most places. Free, open all year.

The highest point in Stanley Park, with a sweeping view over the Lions Gate Bridge, the harbour entrance and the North Shore mountains. Reach it by car or bike on Park Drive, or on foot by the forest trails. The lookout is free and open during park hours (the restaurant and gift shop there are separate businesses).

A 32 million year old sea stack with a lone tree on top, standing just off the Seawall between Third Beach and the Lions Gate Bridge. It is sacred in Squamish tradition, and a plaque tells its legend. See it from the Seawall or from the lookout above, reached by the Siwash Rock Trail. Free, open during park hours.

A calm 17 hectare lake at the downtown entrance of Stanley Park, with a 1.75 km path all the way around, a lit fountain and lots of ducks, swans and herons. It is an easy, flat walk for strollers and kids, with skyline views at sunset. Free, open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.