Want to get out of the city for the afternoon? Need to reconnect with nature? We do too. After brainstorming and researching, we’ve found five short nature walks that you can do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region which are perfectly suitable for the month of March.
1. Tynehead Regional Park – Surrey
England probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you think of Surrey, B.C. even though the city takes its name from the English county. But if you were in the mood for an English-style tromp through the woods where the river meanders and the ivy grows thick, then a visit to Tynehead Regional Park would make for the perfect outing this month.
Photo: Tynehead Regional Park in January 2012. Source: waferboard via Flickr.
Situated along the banks of the Serpentine River, Tynehead Regional Park offers nature enthusiasts 260 hectares (642 acres) to explore along 5km of trails. From rolling meadows to mature deciduous forest, this is a significant chunk of land with multiple points of interest including a salmon hatchery and butterfly garden!
Mary and David Macaree, the authors of 109 Walks in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland claim that the southwest section of the park is the part which is “uncannily reminiscent of southern England” especially with its “rich meadows flanked with interesting old trees, the big leaf maples being particularly fine”. Of course, there’s more than just the flora.
Local blog 45 in 45 by Tourism Surrey remarks that Tynehead offers terrific wildlife viewing opportunities. They suggest, “Keep your eyes open for owls, hawks and coyotes as you play the day away – and let us know what other wildlife you spot!”
2. Belcarra Regional Park – Port Moody
I think I was eight years old when I first visited Belcarra Park, but it has always remained one of my favourite destinations for when I want to reconnect with nature. The ironic thing is, I don’t think I’ve been there since the summer of 2005 and I have no good excuse as to why this is. It’s obviously time for a revisit!
Photo: Meandering through Belcarra Park in 2005. Source: Robyn Hanson.
If you have access to a car, Belcarra Regional Park is easy to get to. Only an hour drive east of Vancouver (and a scenic one if you take Barnet Highway), it combines all of my favourite things in BC: easy walks through the temperate rainforest, access to rocky coastlines, babbling brooks, scenic vistas, ocean fjords, lush vegetation, offshore islets, and even a fishing pier for those who dare.
When you pull up at the parking lot, you’ll see a large grassy area with a playground and picnic tables. This is, you’ll discover, a popular picnicking site for local families, but there’s a short trail through the forest that follows the coastline away from all this. This is the trail worth seeking. You don’t need much time to walk it – less than an hour if I recall, but it parallels the water, taking you into the woods, and then spits you out along a smooth rocky outcropping where you can chill out as the waves lap up against the shore, and you can pretend that you’re much farther than you are, even if you are only on the other side of Indian Arm from North Vancouver – you’ll feel a million miles away.
3. South Dyke Trail – Richmond
Richmond is located on Lulu Island, an island at the mouth of the Fraser River. Technically below sea level, a series of dykes were built about a hundred years ago to prevent the land from flooding. These days the Richmond dykes are also used as popular trail systems for cyclists and walkers, one such trail being the South Dyke Trail.
Photo: Finn Slough is one of the many points of interest along the South Dyke Trail. Source: Robyn Hanson.
What I like about the South Dyke Trail is that it follows the south arm of the Fraser River which is where the Fraser’s at its widest. It provides some unexpected panoramic views, including an impressive angle of the distant Mount Baker. River traffic (fishing vessels, tugboats, barges) are also a frequent sight, giving this route a dynamic edge.
But what I love most are the quintessential Richmond heritage sites you’ll see: Finn Slough, London Heritage Farm, and London’s Landing to name a few, all of which coexist with nature. All of these places were built back in an era when the Fraser was the main form of transportation for early Richmond pioneers. A stroll or cycle along this trail is truly like going back in time.
As for nature, there’s plenty of that to go around. Although there’s farmland to the north of the dyke which is protected by the Agricultural Land Reserve, the south side of the dyke provides access to the Fraser River estuary. Gilbert Beach in particular offers undeveloped shoreline to explore, including access to the unpopulated sandbar island of Shady Island. The island is only accessible by climbing across the rock jetty at low tide – a rite of passage for Richmond teens, but not something to consider lightly; people have died by swift-moving tides. Fortunately, one can appreciate the nature of Fraser River estuary just by sticking to shore, where great blue herons and nesting bald eagles can frequently be seen.
4. Inland Lake Provincial Park – Powell River
The Sunshine Coast is one of my favourite places to go when I want a quick getaway from Vancouver. I admit, I haven’t explored all its nooks and crannies, but I do know that the next time I visit, I’d like to properly explore the Upper Sunshine Coast in more depth. In particular, I’d like to acquaint myself with the lakes that surround Powell River, and I think Inland Lake Provincial Park would be a great introduction.
According to TheSunshineCoast.com, Inland Lake’s in a semi-remote forest and therefore supports an abundant and varied wildlife population. And while many people do shorter walks around part of the trail, local blog Sunshine Coast Eh suggests you could easily walk its entirety if you planned a picnic for the day. They write, “The entire Inland Lake Trail should take no longer than 4-5 hours to complete depending on the amount of breaks for scenery and picnics. There are 8 picnic areas to enjoy along the trail route. So plan accordingly.”
And if walking for 13.5km seems too daunting, bring along your bike. The entire trail is relatively flat and completely wheelchair-friendly, so it makes for a pleasant afternoon daytrip if you’re seeking some exercise.
5. Capilano River Regional Park – North Vancouver
Capilano Canyon Regional Park may just be North Vancouver’s best kept secret. While the tourists flock to Capilano Suspension Bridge, the locals can often be found meandering up and down the nearby trails of Capilano Canyon. Sure, there aren’t any suspension bridges here or tourism infrastructure, but that’s precisely the point.
Photo: Capilano Canyon in March 2008. Source: Gordzilla1 via Flickr.
Vancouver Trails explains, “Capilano Canyon is one of the Vancouver area’s four canyons and offers splendid views of rushing water over rock nestled in a rainforest surrounding”. The trails are accessible by various entry points along Capilano Road, including Cleveland Dam and the Capilano Salmon Hatchery. In fact, you can even visit the salmon hatchery’s interpretive centre during your walk as it’s open to the public and admission is free!
Although there are elevation gains due to the nature of the canyon terrain, the trail itself is easy and can easily be walked within an hour. When I lived in downtown Vancouver, the ease of access to these trails was a godsend. You can quickly whisk yourself away to the middle of a rainforest where the sounds of rushing water and birds make you forget that you’re only 20 minutes from downtown. Parks like these remind me why it’s so wonderful to be living in Vancouver and BC in general.
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