Mountain biking began to take off in North Vancouver in the early 1980s, and by 2000, Mountain Bike Magazine acclaimed this wilderness-meets-city region as the "best riding spot ever."
From downtown Vancouver, it's just a 20-minute drive via the Lions Gate Bridge or Second Narrows Bridge.
The natural ambience is spectacular: winding, steep trails with boulders, logs, and wooden bridges to navigate over or around, amid huge, shadowy trees on the side of the North Shore Mountains. Riders relish the technical challenges of teeter-totters and ladder bridges maintained by the volunteers of the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSBMA).
Trails connect all over the North Shore, and even in residential areas, it's never far to the next trailhead. No wonder top-ranked pro mountain bikers like Wade Simmons and Danika Schroeter call the North Shore home. Some of the best-known North Shore areas for mountain biking include Mount Seymour, Mount Fromme, and Cypress Mountain.
Mount Seymour
A great starting point for newbie mountain bikers and young families is the paved Seymour Valley Trailway, which winds through the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (also known as the Seymour Demonstration Forest). Running 10km/6mi, it's an easy ride with a few hilly sections and nice views of Mount Seymour. The trail is shared with runners and in-line skaters. Watch for deer, grouse and other wildlife along the way.
Other popular downhill trails at Mount Seymour include CBC, Salvation, and Pangor, while Bridal Path is a great cross-country option. To reach the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, drive past Capilano College to the north end of Lillooet Road.
Mount Fromme
From stonework ramps to gap jumps, freeride and extreme mountain biking, enthusiasts love the super-challenging technical terrain at Mount Fromme, located near Grouse Mountain. Names like Upper Oilcan and Lower Crippler reflect the intensity of these downhill trails.
Baden-Powell Trail
Alternatively, hook up with the famous Baden-Powell Trail, which stretches 48km/30mi across the North Shore. Mount Fromme offers a world-class workout, and it's wise to start off easy. To get here, follow Highway 99 to the Lynn Road exit, drive north to Mountain Highway and go up the hill.
Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain was a 2010 Olympic venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, but this West Vancouver destination is also well-known for its mountain biking.
Cypress Bike Park
Some notable downhill trails include Reaper, Roach Clip, and Slippery Canoe. Since 2005, Cypress Mountain has operated the Cypress Bike Park with a plethora of trails and jumps, scheduled to reopen in 2010 after the Olympics. Access Cypress Mountain via Exit 8 off Highway 1 in West Vancouver.
North Vancouver Bike Shops
Newcomers to North Shore mountain biking should consult local experts before heading out. There are many reputable bike shops on the North Shore, including John Henry Bikes (100 - 400 Brooksbank Ave), Cove Bike Shop (1389 Main St), and Obsession: Bikes (92 Lonsdale Ave).
Rentals, Lessons & Tours
Purchase top-of-the-line bikes by Norco or Kona, pick up trail maps, and ask about organized co-ed and women's-only group rides such as NSRIDE, coordinated by the North Shore Ride Society. Endless Biking (1401 Hunter St) provides rentals, mountain biking lessons and personalized tours.
Road Riding
There's plenty of great road riding around the North Shore as well. The steadily emerging Spirit Trail will eventually offer a 35km/22mi greenway across the North Shore for cyclists, runners, and inline skaters.
Practical Tips
When riding, always don a helmet as per the law, wear waterproof clothing as appropriate, and bring equipment for repairs.
To learn more about mountain biking in North Vancouver, contact the Visitor Centre or the North Shore Mountain Bike Association.
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