Hiking above Howe Sound
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is home to many impressive viewpoints. These include the fragrant, flowered, sub-alpine meadows of Manning Provincial Park ; the panoramic city vistas from atop Grouse Mountain ; Lighthouse Park's unobstructed view of ocean, mountains, islands and city; as well as the captivating rapids of Skookumchuck Narrows .
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Address Location
555 West Hastings St
At approximately 167 metres above sea level the Vancouver Lookout is the BEST FIRST STOP for all visitors. Enjoy the spectacular 360º view of the city, North Shore Mountains and one of Canada's largest ports. Ride up in the exterior glass elevator, approximately 50 seconds from street level to the top. On deck you can learn all about Vancouver and the must-see, must-do activities and attractions around the city. Visit our gift shop and the new Armstrong Gallery. Admission ticket(s) valid for same day return.
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Cascade Lookout (Manning Provincial Park)
Manning Provincial Park sits in the heart of the Cascade Mountains. The turnoff to the Cascade Lookout and Sub-Alpine Meadows is located across the highway from Manning Park Resort. The 16-km (10-mi) drive ascends a steep and winding road right into the mountains. At the eight-km (5-mi) mark, the Cascade Lookout provides spectacular must-see vistas of valleys, lakes and rivers. Visitors who drive the remaining eight km (5 mi) will be treated to a myriad of flower-clad meadows. If you experience the sensation of being on top of the world, it's because you are! The road is open June to September, weather permitting.
Manning Park is located along Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton , three hours east of Vancouver . Manning Park website .
Grouse Mountain
Known as the Peak of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike. Just a short drive from downtown
Vancouver , your mountain adventure begins in the parking lot, where a 100-passenger aerial tram ride whisks visitors up the mountain to the lodge.
The entire family will enjoy this wilderness escape at the mouth of Burrard Inlet. Hidden on the outskirts of
West Vancouver , the well-developed trail system includes an invigorating five-km (3-mi) circuit through centuries-old Douglas-fir and cedar forest.
To the east, enjoy fabulous views of English Bay, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver . To the west, see Bowen Island and, further on, Vancouver Island . No trip to the park is complete without a look at its namesake, 1912's Point Atkinson Lighthouse. West Vancouver , 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver .
A word or two on your excursion:
Rated: moderate
Approximate time required: 2 hours
> Lighthouse Park website .
Skookumchuck Narrows
The word "Skookumchuck" is Chinook for "powerful waters." That about sums up what visitors to Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park will encounter. On a three-m (9.8-ft) tide, 757 billion litres (200 billion gallons) of water pulse through the narrows connecting Sechelt Inlet to Jervis Inlet. The result is a crescendo of turbulent rapids renowned for their astounding whirlpools and whitewater. A relatively flat 8-km (5-mi) roundtrip trail leaves from the site's parking lot to the Roland Point viewing area. Time your walk so that you arrive when the tidal surge is at its strongest.
The park is located off Highway 101 near Egmont, one hour north of Sechelt .
A word or two on your excursion:
Rated: easy
Approximate time required: 2 hours
Consult with the tide table or Sechelt Visitor Centre for best viewing times
> Skookumchuck Narrows Park website .
Whistler Mountain
The panoramic views are breathtaking at the top of Whistler Mountain. Your adventure begins with the Whistler Gondola taking you from the Village to the mountain top, where you'll enjoy 360-degree views of pure splendour. Take in world-famous peaks, crystal lakes and magnificent glaciers. During the summer months there are also some wonderful trails to explore, including Glacier Trail, Harmony Lake Trail and the quirkily named Musical Bumps.
A word or two on your visit:
Admission fee in effect for the gondola
A word or two on safety:
Before setting off to explore the mountain, please note the time of the last gondola back to Whistler Village
> Whistler Blackcomb website .
Stanley Park
The crown jewel of Vancouver's parks, 405-ha (1,000-ac) Stanley Park has room for plenty of spectacular views. Navigating the park in a counterclockwise direction, some of the panoramic vista points include:
The Seawall from the Georgia Street entrance to Brockton Point Lighthouse provides stunning views of the downtown skyline, including the distinctive five-sails silhouette of Canada Place .
Rounding the bend beyond Brockton Point, prepare to be wowed by the stature of Lions Gate Bridge, the legendary three-lane suspension bridge connecting Vancouver to the North Shore .
In proximity to the bridge is Prospect Point, a perfect place to stop and view the picturesque North Shore.
Stanley Park is within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver .
> Stanley Park website .
Beaches of English Bay
Most people expect water views from a beach. In
Vancouver , you also get the unexpected: mountain and cityscape views.
This is particularly true of Spanish Bank, Locarno, Jericho and Kitsilano Beaches along the southern shores of English Bay. Each is renowned for its stunning views of the downtown city skyline, North Shore mountains and Pacific Ocean.
Gaze at the setting sun from your perch on a large log - one of many interspersed along the beaches. Observe the mesmerizing bob of passing sailboats and keep a lookout for a Harbour Seal.
English Bay's south-shore beaches are just a 15- to 25-minute drive from downtown Vancouver .