Paseos y miradores

Walk across the top of the Cleveland Dam for a big view of Capilano Lake and the North Shore mountains, then follow forest trails down the Capilano Canyon past the salmon hatchery. One of Metro Vancouver's oldest regional parks, open all year with picnic areas. Free to enter, a Metro Vancouver regional park (not the paid suspension bridge further down the road). Stay out of the river: water can rise quickly when the dam releases water.

A large waterfront park at the southwest tip of Richmond, a short walk from Steveston Village, with a sandy, log strewn beach, rolling lawns for picnics and kite flying, and the Kuno Garden, a Japanese style memorial garden. It is one of the best places in Richmond to watch the sunset over the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands, and the cherry trees bloom here in April. Free, a City of Richmond park.

A hilltop park in the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area with sweeping views over Burrard Inlet, the North Shore mountains and Vancouver. Kamui Mintara, the Playground of the Gods, is a group of tall carved wooden sculptures from Burnaby's Japanese sister city Kushiro, and the Centennial Rose Garden blooms nearby in summer. Paved paths, picnic spots, a playground and 28 km of trails. Free, a City of Burnaby park.

A big green park around Deer Lake in the heart of Burnaby, with easy walking trails that circle the lake and link the beach area, the Burnaby Art Gallery grounds, the Shadbolt Centre and heritage homes. Watch for blue herons, turtles and beavers along the shore, with the Metrotown towers rising beyond the water. Open from dawn to dusk all year. Free, a City of Burnaby park.

One of the only lakes inside the city of Vancouver, set in the large John Hendry Park, with a small sandy beach, playground, picnic lawns and marshes full of birds. The easy walk around the lake is 1.2 km and takes 15 to 25 minutes. Open year round. Free, a Vancouver Park Board park.

A quiet, naturally sandy beach at Ferguson Point on the west side of Stanley Park, sheltered by tall trees from the noise of the city. Driftwood logs make perfect seats for picnics and for watching the sun set over the ocean. Reach it on foot or by bike along the Seawall. Free, a City of Vancouver park beach.

A natural park on the bluff above the Bow River with one of the best views of the downtown Calgary skyline, especially at sunset and at night when the towers light up. A stairway with a viewing platform runs down the bluff toward the river and Prince's Island Park, so it also makes a good stair workout. Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free, a City of Calgary park.

A large wild park in a valley along the Bow River in southwest Calgary, with picnic areas, river pathways and the Douglas Fir Trail, a forest walk through a rare stand of old growth Douglas firs, some more than 400 years old. Lawrey Gardens, a natural area by the river, is part of the park. Open year round from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free, a City of Calgary park with no fees.

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).