Vancouver's Best Cycling Routes
2026-03-27
Vancouver's Best Cycling Routes
Spin the flat, scenic loop of the Stanley Park Seawall before the city wakes up, or point your wheels west along the tree-lined roads of the UBC Endowment Lands for a smooth, traffic-free roll to the Pacific. When the legs are ready, head to West Vancouver: the Cypress Mountain climb is one of the most respected road ascents in BC, gaining nearly 900 metres over 12 kilometres of steady gradient. Further up the coast, Indian River Road offers a quieter, wilder alternative — a favourite among local riders seeking big kilometres without the crowds — while the Horseshoe Bay loop rounds out the set with sweeping ocean views and the rolling terrain of the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Whether you're new to cycling in Vancouver or looking to push into new territory, these are the routes the local riding community keeps coming back to.
What makes these five routes stand out isn't just the scenery — it's that each one teaches you something different about riding in the Pacific Northwest. Stanley Park is where you learn to share the road and find your pace; the UBC loop is where you build base fitness on forgiving terrain; Cypress is where you find out what you're made of. Indian River Road and the Horseshoe Bay run push you into the kind of quiet, coastal riding that reminds you why you got into cycling in the first place — long straights, salt air, and just enough elevation to keep it honest. Together they cover every archetype: the accessible urban ride, the technical climb, the endurance grind, and the weekend escape. Gear up, check your tyres, and pick your day.
Enroute's Riding Guide
Indian River Rd. & Demo Forest
Sometime you forget you are just outside the heart of the city when doing this route. A bigger challenge than other's on the list, however well worth it for the scenery you get along the way. From the shop, head east out of the city and cross Ironworker's Bridge. Cruise along Dollarton Highway towards the base of Mount Seymour. Rather than climbing up Seymour, make a right on Indian River Drive. The road is an out-n-back, taking you up a few hundred meters, then down the winding hairpins towards the waters of the Indian Arm. Take a break at the dock and go for a swim, before climbing up the steep gradients (some pitches >20%) of Indian River Drive. Following IRD, ride to Lillooet Road and enter the Seymour Demonstration Forest. This section is closed to cars, and is truly the best Vancouver has to offer for road riding.
87km | 1,350m
Difficulty: Hard
Platform: Road
Horseshoe Bay
Take a tour through the beautiful scenery of West Vancouver. The route heads around Stanley Park and across Lion's Gate Bridge before arriving at Marine Drive. From here, the route poses a series of undulations in the road and some fun twist and turns along the northern side of Vancouver Harbour. Stay right out of the roundabout and hop on Old Highway 99 (Horseshoe Bay Rd.) towards the lookout, and enjoy one of the nicest stretches of road in the city. The route has an optional, but lovely, dip down towards Whytecliff Park before heading back along Marine Drive towards the shop.
65km | 950m
Difficulty: Moderate
Platform: Road
University Loop
A Vancouver classic and one of our favourites for the Diversion group rides. Leave the shop and head West along the water, passing some of the city's most popular beaches. The route takes you up Spanish Banks and around the university. The route briefly goes through Pacific Spirit Regional Park before heading back along the beaches.
35km | 285m
Difficulty: Easy
Platform: Road
Pacific Spirit
The go-to gravel route within the city. An easy, hour and a bit, route that goes west from the shop along Jericho and Spanish Banks beaches. Pop into the park up a steep and punchy trail that will connect you to the rest of the Pacific Spirit trail network. Some fun twists and turns loop you around the park and back out to the beach.
28km | 285m
Difficulty: Easy
Platform: Gravel
Triple Crown
Vancouver's crown jewel. Conquer all three of the North Shore mountains in one epic ride. The route crosses Ironworker's Bridge and heads towards the base of Mount Seymour for the first of three big climbs on the day. After Seymour, cut up Lillooet Road and traverse along the top of North Vancouver. Most people stay low along the water, however we prefer to go across Braemer Road to Montroyal Road to avoid traffic and congestion. The second climb is Grouse Mountain, the smallest of the three, as the road only goes to the base of the tram. Enjoy a little bit of off-road after the Cleveland Dam as you head towards Cypress Mountain. Enjoy the views of Vancouver Harbour before ascending Cypress and completing Vancouver's most famous route.
120km | 2,750m
Difficulty: Hard
Platform: Road
Stanley Park
An iconic Vancouver route, taking you around Stanley Park's perimeter for two laps. Enjoy great views of the city skyline, water, and urban landscapes are you loop around the park. The road is one-way, but be cautious of other cars and pedestrians along the way.
27km | 285m
Difficulty: Easy
Platform: Road
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