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Trans Canada Trail on the North Shore: 27 km by bike, 32 km by foot
Distance

DISTANCE

27km - 32km
GPS

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Distance

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About the Journey

On the North Shore there is a separate hiking and a cycling route from Horseshoe Bay to the exit of Capilano Regional Park on Capilano Road in North Vancouver.

HIKERS

Those hiking the upper main route should realize that there are no amenities along the Trail for about 26 km from Gleneagles Golf Course/Community Centre in Horseshoe Bay to the Capilano Regional Park. Anyone undertaking this trek must be in good physical condition and must carry water and food along with other hiking provisions. Be prepared for changes in weather and possible encounters with bears at all times.

From Horseshoe Bay/Nelson Creek to Eagle Lake access road, the route heads to the Skyline Trail via the Cypress Creek Trail within easy access to the the ski areas on Cypress and Hollyburn Mountains in Cypress Provincial Park. Note that at the top of the Cypress Creek Trail, it is a short hike to the Cypress Mountain Ski facilities that can also be used as a staging area and where many other trails can be explored such as the Baden Powell Trail and the start of the Howe Sound Crest Trail.

From here, it can get quite overgrown in places. The Skyline Trail features vestiges of early century logging, picturesque ravines, waterfalls, and west coast forest. Access trails to Cypress Bowl, Hollyburn Mountain and several other heritage trails can be used as alternates or side trips. For a short side trip, cross the Cleveland dam to get good views of the Capilano Canyon, outflows from the dam, and access to water and restrooms.

CYCLISTS

The cycling route from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to the Cleveland Dam mainly follows existing pleasant cycling routes through West Vancouver using quiet residential streets before heading over to the Cleveland Dam. It is recommended to use the Dundarave alternative routing (see map) to get closer to Burrard Inlet shores and parks.

CYCLISTS AND HIKERS

The cyclists and the walkers will be on the same trail as they leave Capilano Regional Park for North Vancouver.

In Capilano Regional Park the trail generally follows the Capilano River Canyon in a typical coastal forest. Then the trail is on sidewalks and passes near the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a major tourist attraction.

Edgemont Village offers a charming village atmosphere. The Mosquito Creek Trail is a natural trail with adjacent spawning channels enhancing the fisheries potential of the creek. The Mission Reserve off Forbes Road includes St. Paul’s Church, a heritage site. The Elders Garden next to the church is also a unique attraction. There are informative interpretive signs in Waterfront Park, providing insights into the Harbour activities and its history.

The trail arrives at the Sea Bus terminal to link with downtown Vancouver.




Staging Areas:

Parking/Staging areas are available at parking lots in Horseshoe Bay, across from the Gleneagles Golf Course, Cypress downhill sky area (end of parking lot) the viewpoint at the start of the Skyline Trail off Cypress Road, at Glenmore Park, at the Cleveland Dam, the Fish Hatchery, and along the cycling route in the Ambleside and Dundarave business districts. Lonsdale Quay and Horseshoe Bay are great staging areas but there may be some difficulty with parking restrictions.

GPS INFORMATION:

  • KML/KMZ files can be opened in Google Earth, and many smartphone apps.
  • GPX files can be opened by most GPS software apps when KMZ cannot. Note, GPX files do not contain custom colours and icons that we use on our maps; all tracks and icons will appear the same colour and styles. We recommend using KMZ instead of GPX if possible.

The files below include data for only this specific area. For all of our Trans Canada Trail data for the entire province (including features, campsites and alternate routes), download our BC.kmz master file (1.2 MB)

Visit our GPS & Navigation page for instructions of how to use your smartphone as a GPS device (even when outside of data coverage) or how to import data to your Garmin unit.


GPS DOWNLOAD (KMZ FILE)
GPS DOWNLOAD (GPX FILE)
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET

Staging Areas:

Parking/Staging areas are available at parking lots in Horseshoe Bay, across from the Gleneagles Golf Course, Cypress downhill sky area (end of parking lot) the viewpoint at the start of the Skyline Trail off Cypress Road, at Glenmore Park, at the Cleveland Dam, the Fish Hatchery, and along the cycling route in the Ambleside and Dundarave business districts. Lonsdale Quay and Horseshoe Bay are great staging areas but there may be some difficulty with parking restrictions.

Washrooms:

There are public washrooms at the ferry terminal, along the foreshore park of Horseshoe Bay and at the new Community Centre near the golf course approximately 1.1 km from the terminal. There are toilets east from the old Nelson Creek Highway Bridge and at the start of the Skyline Trail at Cypress Bowl Road. The next public washrooms are located at Glenmore Park, the Cleveland Dam, and the Fish hatchery in Capilano Regional Park. For cyclists there are public washrooms at Dundarave and Ambleside Parks a few blocks off the designated route. In North Vancouver they can be found in Edgemont Village, both ends of Mosquito Creek Trail, and Lonsdale Quay area.

Route Highlights:

  • In Horseshoe Bay, do take in its park with its seashore, shops, and restaurants, a popular tourist destination.
  • The Seaview walk is an abandoned BC Rail grade and offers sensational views over Fisherman’s Cove and Eagle Island.
  • The Upper Lands Trail – Horseshoe Bay to the Fish Hatchery in Capilano Regional Park reaches BC Cypress Provincial Park to an elevation of 823 metres/2700 ft., the highest point of the Trail on the North Shore.
  • As West Vancouver develops the Spirit Trail across the region, much of it will become part of the Trans Canada Trail and as a greenway may become the main route for TCT walkers as well.
  • The Market at Lonsdale Quay is full of activity and charm
  • Next door to the market there is an interesting small museum that offers tourist information
  • Do look for the unique Native Theme Trans Canada Trail Pavilion in Waterfront Park, a definite photo opportunity.
  • SeaBus travelers are rewarded with an inexpensive “cruise” across the Harbour and views of the Vancouver and North Vancouver skylines, port activities, the Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park.

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET

Shopping:

Shops and restaurants are plentiful in Horseshoe Bay. Cyclists will find plenty of shops and restaurants just off the route in Dundarave and Ambleside with its Park Royal Shopping Centre. There are also many restaurants and shops in and around the Lonsdale Quay Public Market and in Edgemont Village.

Accomodations:

Camping facilities are available at the Cleveland RV Park (tenting spaces as well) just over the Capilano River past Park Royal Shopping Centre at 295 Tomahawk off Welsh Street. Bed and Breakfasts are plentiful and hotel accommodation is available in Horseshoe Bay and the City of North Vancouver around the Lonsdale Quay.

Transportation:

Directions:

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET (PDF)

HIKING ONLY ROUTE (total: 36 km)

Horsehoe Bay Waterfront to the Seaview Walk) – 1.5 km
Starting from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal pedestrian ramp, proceed to Keith Road. Stay on the west sidewalk up Keith Road to Argyle Avenue. Cross to an urban trail with natural vegetation between the highway and a fence. It leads to a set of stairs that reaches a sidewalk that then heads for Marine Drive. Cross Marine Drive at the crosswalk and head south on the sidewalk to a trail on your right that eventually goes behind the Community Centre with the Golf Course on the right. Proceed up to the road just past the Community Centre, turn left and Cross Marine Drive to the Seaview Walk Trail.
Seaview Walk (2 km)
Follow it to the BC Rail tunnel entrance, the start of the Nelson Creek Trail.
Nelson Creek Trail (1.5 km)
This trail goes over the BCR tunnel entrance to the old Trans Canada Highway Bridge over Nelson Creek.
(Note: Walkers will need to use, as an alternate, the cycling route starting here from about November 15 to March 15 because of snow above the 500 metre/1800 foot level.)
Watch for an access road going north at a water tank and follow it to another water tank. Continue on a trail on the east side of the water reservoir. The ‘no trespass in the watershed’ are requiring people to stay on the trail. Follow this path through the pristine forest east of Nelson Creek to a set of stairs up to a service road connecting to the Eagle Creek Trail. Before the set of stairs, there is another trail heading west to access the Baden Powell Trail via Whyte Lake – do not take this trail. The Whyte Lake Trail from Horseshoe Bay is an alternate way to hike this section (see map)
Eagle Creek Trail (2.2 km)
Once on the service road after the Nelson Creek Trail, follow it for a short distance going somewhat uphill. Near the crest of this shallow hill look for an opening in the forest on the left, the Eagle Lake trail. Follow this mountainous forested trail to the Eagle Lake Access Road that heads down to the West Cypress Creek Trail. Follow this service road while taking in extraordinary views of Caulfield and Georgia Strait.
West Cypress Creek Trail (5.7 km), and East Cypress Creek Trail (4.1 km)
Proceed north on West Cypress Creek expecting quite a change in elevation (823m/2700ft). Near the top take a right fork. Otherwise, continue on to find the Cypress Bowl ski area.
Soon there is a bridge over Cypress Creek leading to the start of the East Cypress Creek Trail – a great spot for a lunch break. Take care to not take the fork on the left about 1 km down the trail. Stay on a trail that parallels the BC Hydro Power Lines. Once past the British Properties’ Gate turn east to Cypress Bowl Road. Cross the road to begin the Skyline Trail.
Skyline Trail (7.8 km)
Access the Skyline Trail off Cypress Bowl Road at its second lookout, a former quarry. Take advantage of the sensational views over Indian Arm at this location. There is a parking lot and pit toilets here. Proceed eastward to the Cleveland Dam. Use extreme caution on this trail; the rocks and bridges can be very slippery when wet. Proceed all the way to Capilano Regional Park eventually passing through the top of British Properties.  To access the park head north on Glenmore Drive for about 100 metres while watching for the start of the trail on the right between houses.  This trail heads into the park.
Capilano Regional Park Trail
From the west side of Cleveland Dam follow the Capilano Pacific Trail, the Giant Fir Trail, and the Second Canyon Viewpoint Trail — watch for signs to the fish hatchery over the Cable Pool Bridge (1 km). Do not miss visiting the display at the fish hatchery to observe, through glass, the salmon actually jumping up a fish ladder. There are, also, public washrooms here.
From the fish hatchery follow the Coho Loop and Chinook Trails before crossing Capilano Park Road to follow a trail northward to Eldon Road. Follow Eldon Road to Capilano Road and cross it at the pedestrian crosswalk
WALKING ALTERNATIVE on the low route
**Note: Walkers can also follow the cycling route with the following differences (Lower Route):
Stay on the walking route to the old Highway Bridge after going over the BCR tunnel and under the Upper Levels Highway.
Instead of continuing on the Nelson Creek Trail stay on the service road, the cycling route that goes back under the Upper Levels Highway and comes out on Wesport Road. Continue north on Wesport Road on the cycling route.
At 31st Street walkers should drop down to Park Lane and Lower Bellevue Ave and enjoy walking past waterfront homes heading east (see map).
At 25th Street walkers follow the Centennial Seawalk starting at Dundarave Park to Ambleside Park Eastward to end up along the Capilano River, the start of the Capilano-Pacific Trail. Follow this trail north to the fish hatchery in Capilano Regional Park. A good place to get off the Capilano-Pacific Trail is at the “Big Fir Trail” where you will rejoin the Trans Canada Trail. You will notice that the Heart and Stroke Foundation has put up signs that are spaced by one kilometre starting at Dundarave Park to end up at the Cleveland Dam (10 km)
CYCLING ROUTE (Total: 31.6 km)
Heading east from Horseshoe Bay along the Upper Levels Highway, cyclists will stay on the highway until Exit #4.
Cross over the highway on the bridge, turn north to start following the commuter cycling signs to Taylor Way and Inglewood Avenue. The route is well marked and follows Woodgreen Drive, Woodcrest Road, Almondel Road, Ripple Road, Westridge Avenue, Southridge Avenue (steep hill), a 60 m trail between two cul de sacs to Mathers Avenue. Follow Mathers to 29th Street, turn right to Marine Drive. Follow Marine Drive for one block to take 28th Street to Haywood. Continue following the bicycle route signs along Haywood Avenue, 24th Street, Jefferson Avenue, past Pauline Johnson School, along Inglewood (another short steep hill), up 14th Street and along Kings Avenue, Burley Drive and Inglewood Avenue to Taylor Way. From this point ignore the cycling route signs and follow the Trans Canada Trail signs up Taylor Way northward to Stevens Drive. Follow Stevens Drive past the Capilano Golf Club and turn right on Deep Dene Road. Turn left on Glenmore Drive and watch for a pathway on the right before Morven Drive and follow this path to the Cleveland Dam.
From the Cleveland Dam, follow a service road on the east side of the Capilano River to Capilano Park Road. Take Capilano Park Road westward (turn right) to the fish hatchery.
After visiting the Hatchery double back onthe Capilano Park Road to where the Chinook Trail crosses the road and follow this trail northward to Eldon Road and proceed to Capilano Road.
CYCLISTS AND WALKERS
Edgemont Trail
Follow Capilano Road south to Edgemont Blvd. Follow Edgemont Blvd. through Edgemont Village and turn east on Queens Road to Mosquito Creek at William Griffin Park Recreation Centre. Note: Just before entering Edgemont Blvd down Capilano Road is the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge (admission).
Mosquito Creek and Waterfront Trail
Follow the west trail of Mosquito Creek to 16th St. Cross 16th at the traffic light. From here, the Trail works its way to the east side of the creek and follows it to Marine Drive.  At Marine Drive it is necessary to use the cross walks and traffic light 3 times (there plans to have a pathway follow the creek under Marine Drive) to get back to on the east side of Mosquito Creek, then under 2nd Street to Bewick Ave. Follow Bewcick to the Spirit Trail and head east past the Mission FN and Marina to Forbes.  Now head for the foreshore into Waterfront Park. Continue east to Lonsdale Quay Public Market and the SeaBus Terminal. The SeaBus departs every 15-20 minutes and passengers pay regular bus fare.