Winter Walks in Vancouver

The first day of the New Year, and I decided to begin it with one of my resolutions, physical fitness.   There are many choices for walking in Vancouver, rain or shine,  and this was a brisk, sunny day, perfect for long walk. What  better way  to clear your head and exercise those muscles?  So I set off on one of my most favorite destinations: the Stanley Park Seawall. (map) 

Coal Harbour marina

I took the bus to the park entrance and walked along Coal Harbour where by the marina, and as I entered the park, I made a small detour through the underpass to Lost Lagoon.   The lagoon was frozen over, something that is a rare occasion here. It brought back fond memories of the past when it would freeze over enough to skate on it.  Today only the ducks were  there perched on the ice. 

You can circle all around the lagoon, which is another beautiful walk, especially for bird-watchers.  The lagoon is a waterfowl refuge and there is other wildlife to observe, such as the bold little masked raccoons.  Lost Lagoon got it’s name back in 1900 when the poet Pauline Johnston noticed it had ‘disappeared’ at low tide.  It was actually part of Coal Harbor until a causeway was built allowing access to the park in the early 1920′s cutting it off from the sea water. 

I cut back across the pedestrian path to the seawall at the yacht marina  past Deadman’s Island, a small islet in Coal Harbour that once was a First Nations burial site.  Since 1937 it’s been the site of HMCS Discovery naval reserve station.  There were lots of joggers, cyclists and some in-line skaters on the seawall but the pathways are clearly marked dividing their route from the pedestrian’s and joggers.   I walked around Brockton Point (map) passing the totem pole park where there’s a concession stand and souvenir shop.  There were lots of photographers crowding around to snap photos of the First Nations totems there.

You can walk around the entire seawall, (or cycle,jog, and skate), a hike of 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles).  People have been enjoying this seaside path since 1917 but it wasn’t until the mid ’70′s when the walk was properly surfaced making it an easier route for walkers, joggers and cyclists. I walked as far as Lumberman’s Arch, then cut back through the park by the Aquarium, making a brief stop at the Children’s Zoo and Train to see the festive Bright Light’s exhibit.  The bus loop for the park is right by this area.  My whole walk took me two hours, with a couple of pit-stops, and was a most pleasant way to spend a sunny winter afternoon.

Other Vancouver seawall walks:

• Crabtree Park to Canada Place (map)
• Coal Harbour from Canada Place (map)
• False Creek (north , Yaletown from David Lam Park) (map)
• False Creek (south, Science World  (map) to Granville Island) (map)

How to get to Stanley Park:

By Public Transit:  #19 bus on Pender Street goes right into the Park.

By Car:  along Georgia Street from Vancouver or across the Lion’s Gate Bridge from North Vancouver.  Parking available in the park.

Photo credits: W. Ruth Kozak