Tour Details
Distance: Approx. 25km
Total Ride Time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate. Sustained hill climbing and unprotected bikeways. Road cycling experience recommended.
There’s more to see and do in Vancouver than anyone could hope for, but for the true adventurers-at-heart there’s also plenty to visit outside of the city. Nestled in the shadow of the North Shore mountains, Vancouver is perfectly situated for a two-wheeled journey that takes riders through forest trails, along beach bikeways, and up challenging ascents. We carry vouchers for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park at both our Hornby and Burrard St locations, so come grab a ticket to skip the line, and begin an unforgettable mountain cycling adventure.
While we have a variety of bikes for all riding styles at each of our locations, for this ride we recommend our City Cross: hydraulic disc brakes, a broad range of gears, and a lightweight aluminum frame make this sporty bike the perfect option to crush the hills.
But if hill-crushing is not your idea of a holiday, don’t worry, we also have electric bikes. Our three models of e-bikes are designed to fit a broad range of sizes and riding styles, but each utilizes Shimano Steps – a super intuitive pedal-assist system that works harder when you work harder. You’ll be flying up the North Shore mountains in no time.
All of our rentals include locks and helmets, and our rental advisors are always prepared to give quality directions. With your vouchers in hand and your bike at the ready, it’s time to hit the road!
[show-map]The Capilano Suspension Bridge has been a crowd-pleasing wonder for well over a century. The original bridge was made of simple hempen ropes anchored to tree stumps, originally pulled across the canyon by horses swimming across the river below. Visitors would make the daring trek up the hillside to visit the bridge and its neighbouring log cabin, already a local attraction by the 1890s. The modern bridge is made of steel cables and sturdy concrete anchors – a much more reliable structure, but still a thrill to cross nonetheless!
The park boasts plenty to see and do besides the legendary bridge walk. Take a stroll through the trees on the Treetops adventure, a series of bridges and platforms suspended amongst the towering centuries-old fir trees. the Cliffwalk is truly not for the faint of heart: walkways perched on the sheer granite cliffs give guests a spectacular view and a gravity-defying perspective on the canyon below. Information and exhibits are on hand at the Storey Centre, and guided tours are offered hourly. There are also plenty of options for shopping and eating while inside the park – pick up a souvenir or sit down to a nice meal before your ride back.
The best part of any uphill bike ride is the descent that follows! Cruise back down the hill on Capilano Road and make your way back to the Lions Gate Bridge via Marine Drive. Once you’ve crossed the bridge you can turn off the trail to Prospect Point and take the Park Descent & English Bay route downtown. Follow Merilees Trail to Third Beach: you’ll find your old friend the Stanley Park Seawall Path waiting to take you home. Once you’re out of Stanley Park, follow the seawall to Hornby Street and take the cycle path back to your preferred Cycle City Tours location. Give yourself a pat on the back for a day well spent!
