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ยฉ Image: metrovancouver.org
EASY ยท 9 KM

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Vast rainforest park with 73km of forest trails.

Status Seasonal Access
Difficulty EASY
Distance 9 km
Time 2.5 h
Rating โ˜… 5 ยท 8
Area Vancouver
โ˜… 5 ยท 8 reviews Vancouver Free Outdoor ยท Hikes
EASY

9km

Distance

โ€”

Gain

2.5h

Time

01

About this Trail

Pacific Spirit Regional Park is an 860-hectare urban rainforest wrapping around UBC with 55 km of trails through second-growth Douglas-fir and cedar. Beloved by walkers, runners, cyclists, and especially dog owners with two-thirds of trails leash-optional. Features include the restored Camosun Bog, salmon-spawning creeks, WWII gun emplacements, and Wreck Beach.

Known For
73km Trail NetworkOld-Growth RainforestMulti-Use Forest PathsUBC Campus Border
02

Best Suited For

The Crowd

  • ๐ŸŒฒNature Lovers
  • ๐ŸฅพHikers
  • ๐Ÿ•Dog Walkers
  • ๐Ÿ”นRunners

The Occasion

  • ๐Ÿ”นQuiet Recharge
  • ๐Ÿ”นPeaceful Run
03

Highlights

  • A massive 763-hectare regional park bordering the UBC campus, featuring over 73 km of trails.

  • The park protects a significant stand of temperate rainforest, including massive firs and cedars.

  • Offers a mix of dedicated pedestrian paths and multi-use trails for cycling and equestrian use.

  • A premier destination for nature therapy, with flat, accessible loops through the quiet forest interior.

04

Practical Tips

Best Times to Visit

Year-round โ€” trails are well-drained and usable in all seasonsEarly morning for birdwatching (bald eagles, barred owls common)Weekdays for quieter trails

Insider Tips

  • ๐Ÿ’ก

    Two-thirds of trails are leash-optional for dogs โ€” check signage at each trailhead

  • ๐Ÿ’ก

    Maximum 3 dogs per handler; leash required within 50m of park entrances and 10m of stream crossings

  • ๐Ÿ’ก

    Camosun Bog has an accessible boardwalk โ€” a unique restored sphagnum bog ecosystem

  • ๐Ÿ’ก

    The park connects to Wreck Beach (clothing-optional) via Trail 6 โ€” steep descent with stairs

  • ๐Ÿ’ก

    Multi-use trails are divided โ€” stay in your designated walking or cycling lane

What to Bring

๐ŸŽ’Trail runners or hiking boots โ€” trails range from gravel to muddy dirt, especially in winter
๐ŸŽ’Rain jacket โ€” the forest canopy doesn't fully block Vancouver rain
๐ŸŽ’Water bottle โ€” no potable water available on trails
๐ŸŽ’Dog leash โ€” dogs must be on-leash on most trails (off-leash areas are signed)
๐ŸŽ’Insect repellent in summer โ€” mosquitoes are active near bogs and the foreshore
๐ŸŽ’Trail map or downloaded GPS โ€” the 73 km network has many unsigned junctions
05

Accessibility & Facilities

Washrooms
Picnic Area

Not Available

โœ• Drinking Water

Not wheelchair accessible. Trails are unpaved gravel and dirt with roots and uneven surfaces. Boardwalk section at Camosun Bog is accessible.

06

History

Pacific Spirit Regional Park was established in 1989 when the British Columbia government transferred 763 hectares of the former University Endowment Lands to Metro Vancouver. The Endowment Lands had been set aside in 1923 to fund the University of British Columbia. In 1975, BC Parks established 90 hectares as the UBC Endowment Lands Ecological Reserve. The park now covers approximately 860 hectares (2,100 acres) of second-growth temperate rainforest wrapping around the UBC campus on Vancouver's Point Grey peninsula.

Source ยท Wikipedia, pacificspiritparksociety.org

07

Location

08

Getting Here

๐ŸšŒ Transit

Excellent bus access via the #25 and #33 (16th Ave), #41 and #49 (SW Marine), or #99 B-Line, #4, and #14 (University Blvd).

๐Ÿš— Parking

Free gravel parking lot at park headquarters (4915 W 16th Ave, turn right after Blanca St toward UBC). Additional street parking along SW Marine Drive, NW Marine Drive, and 16th Ave.

Details sourced from Google, venue websites, Instagram, and public data. Vibes, highlights, and recommendations reflect our editorial perspective.

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