Vancouver, located on Canada’s west coast, is known for its stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains, forests, and the Pacific Ocean, this vibrant city offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventures, breathtaking views, and peaceful green spaces. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or someone who enjoys nature from a comfortable spot, Vancouver is the ideal destination for nature lovers.
This guide will take you through some of Vancouver's best hiking trails, gardens, and viewpoints. We’ll also show you how renting a car in Canada can make exploring these stunning locations easier. If you're ready to immerse yourself in Vancouver’s natural wonders, read on and start planning your next adventure.
Vancouver is famous for its lush forests, towering mountains, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Vancouver is home to various hiking trails suitable for all levels of hikers. You can find everything from challenging summits to peaceful walks through the woods.
Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver’s most popular hiking destinations, offering fantastic views of the city, the surrounding ocean, and the mountains. The Grouse Grind, often called Mother Nature’s Stairmaster, is a steep and challenging hike that takes you to the summit. It’s a 2.9-kilometre (1.8-mile) trail that climbs 853 metres (2,800 feet), providing an excellent workout for those seeking a challenge.
Once at the top of Grouse Mountain, you’re greeted with spectacular views. On clear days, you can even spot Vancouver Island in the distance. Aside from the views, the mountain offers activities like skiing and snowboarding in the winter and wildlife watching during the warmer months. You can also visit the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, which houses grizzly bears and other native species. If you’re not up for the hike, you can take the Skyride gondola to the top for a less strenuous journey.
Cypress Mountain offers a range of hiking trails that provide spectacular views of the city and the surrounding wilderness. The Cypress Falls Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike that takes you through lush forests and leads to two beautiful waterfalls. The trail is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of Vancouver’s forests without a long or strenuous trek.
If you're up for a longer hike, the Hollyburn Mountain Trail offers stunning panoramic views of Vancouver, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. This trail is more challenging and involves an ascent to the top of Hollyburn Mountain. In winter, the area transforms into a snow-covered wonderland, perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Lynn Canyon Park is one of Vancouver’s hidden gems, offering a peaceful escape into nature. The park, in the North Shore mountains, is less frequented than the popular Grouse Mountain or Cypress Mountain, but it’s equally beautiful. The park features scenic trails, including the famous Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. This 50-metre (164-foot) bridge offers stunning views of the lush forest and the canyon below.
The park is home to several other natural wonders, including waterfalls, a river, and tranquil forest paths. Well-known trails include the 1.3-kilometre (0.8-mile) Canyon View Trail and the more advanced Rice Lake Trail. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, the park also offers picnic areas and peaceful spots for reflection. Hike or enjoy the serenity at Lynn Canyon Park, the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.
Vancouver is home to various beautiful gardens, each offering a unique experience. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who enjoys being surrounded by nature, Vancouver’s gardens will not disappoint.
Located in the heart of Vancouver, VanDusen Botanical Garden is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces. This 55-acre garden features a diverse collection of plants globally, including rare species and beautiful flowers. VanDusen is designed to represent a variety of global plant zones, making it a perfect spot to explore the beauty of nature in different climates.
The garden includes a range of themed gardens, including a hedge maze, a Japanese garden, and a wildflower meadow. One of the most beautiful features of the garden is the Autumn Garden, which bursts into colour in the fall with shades of red, orange, and yellow. The garden features several ponds and streams, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.
VanDusen Botanical Garden is open year-round, with different plants in bloom throughout the seasons. In spring, the garden is full of vibrant tulips and rhododendrons, while in summer, it’s the perfect place to enjoy colourful flowers and lush greenery. In autumn, the garden’s trees and shrubs turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, making it a wonderful place for a scenic walk.
Queen Elizabeth Park is another stunning garden located in Vancouver. Situated on Little Mountain, the highest point in the city, the park offers beautiful gardens and panoramic views of Vancouver and the surrounding North Shore mountains. The park is home to the Quarry Garden, which is a tranquil space filled with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and water features.
One of the main attractions within Queen Elizabeth Park is the Bloedel Conservatory, a tropical paradise that houses hundreds of exotic plants and birds. Inside the conservatory, you’ll find a variety of plants, including palm trees, orchids, and ferns, as well as tropical birds like parrots and finches. If you're looking for a peaceful place to relax, Queen Elizabeth Park is an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Located at the University of British Columbia, the UBC Botanical Garden is a 44-acre sanctuary that showcases the natural beauty of Vancouver’s coastal environment. The garden includes a coastal temperate rainforest, an alpine garden, and a medicinal herb garden. The Coastal Forest Walk is a popular trail that allows visitors to walk through the heart of Vancouver’s rainforest while learning about the local ecology.
One of the highlights of the UBC Botanical Garden is the Greenheart TreeWalk, an elevated canopy walkway that takes visitors through the treetops of a coastal rainforest. The treewalk offers incredible views of the forest below and the surrounding mountains in the distance. This is one of the best ways to experience the unique environment of Vancouver’s forests.
Vancouver is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, with plenty of scenic viewpoints offering stunning views of the city skyline, surrounding mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Stanley Park Seawall is one of the most popular places in Vancouver to enjoy a beautiful view of the city and its surroundings. The Seawall stretches 9 kilometres (5.5 miles) along the waterfront, offering stunning views of Vancouver’s skyline, the North Shore mountains, and the ocean. The Seawall is a great place to walk, run, or cycle, and plenty of spots to stop and take in the view.
One of the highlights of the Seawall is the view from Brockton Point, where you can see the city skyline framed by the mountains and the ocean. The Seawall is also home to the famous Totem Poles, a must-see for anyone visiting Vancouver. The totem poles offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Indigenous peoples of the area.
For one of the best panoramic views of Vancouver, take the Grouse Mountain Skyride. The Skyride is a gondola that takes you from the base of Grouse Mountain to the summit, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. The gondola ride takes about 8 minutes, and once you reach the top, you can take in the spectacular 360-degree views.
At the top of Grouse Mountain, you’ll find several activities to enjoy, including hiking, dining with a view, and wildlife viewing. The views are breathtaking during sunrise and sunset when the city is bathed in golden light.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers another great viewpoint in Vancouver. The park features a 137-metre (450-foot) long suspension bridge that spans the Capilano River. This bridge provides dramatic views of the surrounding forest, the river below, and the canyon. The bridge sways slightly as you cross, making for a thrilling experience.
In addition to the bridge, the park has several other attractions, including the Treetops Adventure, where you can walk among the tallest trees in the forest, and the Cliffwalk, which takes you along a narrow path attached to the side of the canyon. These attractions offer unique perspectives on Vancouver's stunning natural landscape.
Renting a car in Canada is the best way to explore Vancouver and its natural wonders. You can visit all the hiking trails, gardens, and scenic viewpoints at your own pace with your car. A rental car allows you to access more remote and beautiful spots that may be difficult to reach by public transport. Finalrentals offers a wide range of vehicles for all travellers, from compact cars for city exploration to SUVs for those heading into the mountains. Hiring a car in Canada has never been more convenient with easy online booking and affordable prices.
Having a car allows you to visit Vancouver’s surrounding areas, including nearby towns like Whistler, Squamish, and the Okanagan Valley. Each destination offers incredible natural beauty and outdoor activities perfect for nature lovers. A rental car provides the flexibility to take day trips or weekend getaways to explore more remote areas, such as Garibaldi Provincial Park or the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which offers one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Vancouver is a city that truly has it all when it comes to nature. From world-class hiking trails to stunning gardens and scenic viewpoints, there are endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping hike or a peaceful stroll through a botanical garden, Vancouver offers something for everyone.
Renting a car in Canada is the best way to experience all the incredible natural wonders that Vancouver has to offer. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, you can visit the city’s most famous outdoor spots and discover hidden gems.
Start planning your nature-filled adventure today by renting a car with Finalrentals to journey through Vancouver’s stunning hiking trails, gardens, and scenic views. Book now!
