Hike Details
- Difficulty: 3/6 (Moderate)
- Distance: 9km
- Duration: 4hrs
- Elevation: 200m
- Type: Out & Back
- Exposure: None
- Season: Jan - Dec
- Dogs: No
- Camping: No
- Wheelchairs: No
- Public Transport: Yes
- Strollers: No
Description
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Nestled on the edge of the University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus, the UBC Foreshore Trail is a hidden gem that offers a moderate hiking experience with the serenity of coastal views and forests. Along the 9km out and back route, you'll be treated to the refreshing ocean breeze and the occasional seabird overhead. The trail explores the dense forest canopies and well as the rugged ocean shoreline that defines this region. The hike is generally flat, meandering to and from the shoreline, whilst up and over logs, sand and gravel banks, and a variety of other uneven surfaces.
While this trail is less frequented than the city's bustling hotspots, it’s a favored outdoor classroom and recreational escape for students and faculty. You should set aside approximately 4 hours to complete the out and back trail, though it is possible to make it a point to point trail if you can shuttle cars or use Evo Car Share to get you to one end. If you choose to go up the steep steps back up to the road (at the southern end), consider that these are long and steep.
To explore more spectacular hikes, check out the best hiking trails near Vancouver.
Navigation
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The trail: Well-signed, marked or frequent on trail maps. Always carry a map. Phone signal in BC is not reliable when hiking. Always carry an OFFLINE map. I recommend and use AllTrails+ and Gaia Maps.
Hike Difficulty And Conditions
The trail features a mix of well-trodden dirt paths, occasional wooden boardwalks, and stretches of rocky or gravel shoreline. The terrain is varied - expect to navigate roots and stones so solid trainers or hiking shoes are a must. While the majority of the trail is flat, it includes some gradual inclines that can become slick after rain, so caution is advised during wetter seasons. Occasionally the path drifts up onto the embankments where the path is either boardwalk or compacted earth. Always prepare for changeable weather and bring water and snacks to keep energized for this delightful coastal hike.
If you decide to start from the southern end of the trail, you may wish to park on Old Marine Drive. Doing this requires descending a long flight of steps. The same for any of the other access points around UBC. The only exception is the entry point marked on the map, located at the western end of Spanish Banks.
Camping
- Camping Possible: No
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Stroller Accessible: No
- Dog Friendly: No
Location & Access
- Public Transport: Yes
- Public Transport By: Translink
- From Vancouver: 0.25hr(s)
- Region: City of Vancouver
- Fire Region: Coastal Fire Centre Info
- Trailhead: 49.27938, -123.24151
- Vehicle Requirement: Any Vehicle
Getting There
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The UBC Foreshore trail is located not far from Vancouver, and wraps around the end of the university peninsula. The easiest way to complete this hike is as an out and back from Spanish Banks, though this obviously makes the trail longer. Drive along West 4th and follow it west until you see signs for Locarno Beach and Spanish Banks. There is plenty of parking, though you'll want to park as far west as you can along the waterfront.
Should you decide to do the hike only in one direction, you'll need to plan logistics a little more, either leaving one car at each end, or using Evo to get you to and from the trailheads. Note that the EVO zone doesn't quite go to the trailhead, so you'll probably need to add on 1km at each end to pick up a car.
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Rent a car, or better still, reduce the demand for cars with Evo Car Share, Vancouver's car sharing network.
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