Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you continue along Mount Seymour Parkway instead of turning north toward the
park, you end up in the scenic little village of Deep Cove on the west shore of Indian Arm
(off the northeast end of Burrard Inlet)—an excellent spot for a picnic. Take your sack
lunch to the waterfront park and watch the fishing and pleasure boats coming and going in
the bay. More adventurous visitors can swim, kayak, or scuba dive.
Cypress Provincial Park
Northwest of downtown, 3,012-hectare (7,440-acre) Cypress Provincial Park encom-
passes a high alpine area in the North Shore Mountains. To get to the park, take the
TransCanada Highway 12kilometers (7.5miles) west ofLionsGate Bridge andturnnorth
onto Cypress Bowl Road (Exit 8). Even the park access road up from the TransCanada
Highway is worthwhile for the views. At the second switchback, the Highview Lookout
providesastunningpanoramaofthecity,withinterpretivepanelsdescribingthesurround-
ing natural history. Just beyond the third switchback is another lookout, along with pic-
nic tables. At the 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) mark, the road splits. Go straight ahead to reach
CypressBowlskiarea,whichhostedfreestyleskiingandsnowboardingeventsofthe2010
Olympic Winter Games. From the main day lodge, well-marked hiking trails radiate out
like spokes. One easy trail leads under the Black Chair (to the left as you stand in front of
the day lodge) and passes a small alpine lake before ending after 1.3 kilometers (0.8 mile)
atalookout;allowonehourfortheround-trip.The2.3-kilometer(1.4-mile)circuittoYew
Lake gains less elevation and is barrier free. Back at the fork in the road, turn right up the
hill to a wintertime base for cross-country skiing. After the snow has melted (May), locals
swap their skis for hiking boots and take to a varied trail system. An information board on
the left before the toll booth (don't worry, money is only collected during the ski season)
shows the various options, including a 500-meter jaunt to the Hollyburn Lodge (used as a
day lodge in winter) and First Lake. From this point it's 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) to the
summit of Hollyburn Mountain. The trail gains 450 meters (1,480 feet) in elevation; allow
90 minutes each way.
Lighthouse Park
On a headland jutting into Howe Sound, Lighthouse Park lies eight kilometers (five
miles) west of the Lions Gate Bridge. Trails lead through the park to coastal cliffs and
a lighthouse that guides shipping into narrow Burrard Inlet. Views from the lighthouse
groundsarespectacular,extendingwestovertheStraitofGeorgiaandeasttoStanleyPark
and the Vancouver skyline.
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