Stanley Park Seawall – Vancouver Walking Guide
Do you even live in Vancouver if you haven’t walked the entire Stanley Park Seawall?
The Seawall is a waterfront path that runs around the circumference of Stanley Park and offers some of the most spectacular views of the city, the mountains and the West Coast rainforest. At over 10 km, walking it all in one go is a little ambitious, which is why most people (us included) usually tackle it in sections. But after nearly 3 years of living in Vancouver, a rare February Sunday with clear skies and 8-degree sunshine was all the excuse we needed to finally walk the whole thing!
It had been the first sunny day after 2 weeks of rain and we wanted to take full advantage. We grabbed coffees at Delany’s and claimed a bench at English Bay to sit in the sun. Yet the warmth made it hard to stay still. Within few minutes, we started walking toward Second Beach, then Third. When we got to Siwash Rock, Andy said: “We’ve made it this far, should we just walk the entire Stanely Park loop?” Normally I’d have laugh him off, but something about that day felt right and I was all for it. We carried on under the Lions Gate Bridge, through Coal Harbour and Lost Lagoon. After 4 hours, we were back at English Bay having completed the full circuit: 13.2 km (including 10km of the Seawall) and 15,000 steps according to our trackers! Which means I now have bragging rights and can tell you all about it. And perhaps encourage you to do it too!
Stanley Park Seawall: Everything You Need to Know
The Stanley Park Seawall is part of the larger Vancouver Seawall, the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the world. Starting from Spanish Banks and ending at the Vancouver Convention Center, it’s almost 28 kilometers of scenic trails for walking and biking, with no roads crossing it whatsoever. It means you never have to step onto a street and that’s a rare luxury in any city.
Another great thing about the seawall is that it’s completely flat. You won’t have to climb anywhere unless you enter Stanley Park itself.
And finally, the seawall path is divided between bikes and pedestrians. And locals won’t hesitate to let you know if you’ve wandered onto the wrong side (ask me how I know).
The Stanley Park section of the Seawall is the most popular location for recreation downtown. You’ll see people jogging, walking and cycling. You’ll see people paddle boarding on the water or lying flat on the beach. On a sunny day, this truly is the place to be. But even on overcast days it can be a lovely walk. It’s more peaceful and quiet then and we’re always surprised at how few people are around.
If you’re a nature lover and up for a rewarding challenge, here’s a bit more information about what it takes to walk the entire Stanley Park Seawall Loop and things you’ll see along the way.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Stanley Park Seawall
Below you’ll find a map to help you get your bearings and visualize the walk. As you can see, Stanley Park sits right in the heart of Vancouver, so it’s very easy to get to if you’re visiting, especially if you’re staying downtown.
You can start the walk from two spots at either end of the park: Vancouver Rowing Club at the far end of Coal Harbour or English Bay.
To close the loop, you’ll need to get from one to the other at the end. Technically this is optional, but if you don’t then you’d have to say you ALMOST walked the whole loop and that doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. If time is tight as it often is on vacation, we won’t tell. But if you’re local, you have no excuse not to close the loop. Your two options are the nature trail along Lost Lagoon or the length of Denman Street. The latter is shorter and lined with great shops and restaurants, so it’s a pretty pleasant way to finish.
If you’re heading out in the morning on a sunny day, we recommend starting on the Coal Harbour side, as that’s where the sun rises before moving over toward English Bay. Same thing if you want to end your walk with a sunset and maybe a cheeky drink at English Bay, start at Coal Harbour as it falls into shade later in the afternoon. There’s no right or wrong here, of course. It’s always a nice walk no matter which direction you go!
What You’ll See Along The Stanley Park Seawall
Vancouver Rowing Club
If you’re starting the walk from Coal Harbour, this heritage building marks the starting point for the walk.
Nine O’clock Gun
Shortly after, you’ll come across the Nine O’clock Gun. This naval cannon goes off each night at 9 PM and has been doing so, almost without interruption, for over 100 years. It sits in a cage because it was previously tampered with and even stolen once as a prank by UBC engineering students.
Brockton Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse at Brockton Point is easy to spot from afar as it stands out with its white-and-red stripes. Built in 1914, it’s a popular spot to take in the views of Vancouver port. The seawall runs right underneath, so make sure you go up the set of stairs for a proper look.
Totem Poles
The totem poles aren’t technically on the seawall but they’re very much worth a stop. They’re a tribute to the Indigenous peoples of the region who have for many centuries expressed their culture through these elaborate carvings. I read somewhere it’s one of the most photographed places in all of Vancouver and I can absolutely believe it.
Girl in a Wetsuit
Girl in a Wetsuit is a life size statue just a few metres away from the seawall. Seagulls seem to love it as there’s usually one sitting right on the top of her head.
Empress of Japan Figurehead
This colourful statue is a replica of the figurehead of a famous ocean liner. It’s a tribute to the maritime history of Vancouver and a great spot along the seawall for interesting photos.
Lions Gate Bridge
The Lions Gate Bridge leads to Vancouver’s North Shore, but you’ll be walking right underneath it rather than across.
Siwash Rock
Siwash Rock is an interesting rock pillar with a small Douglas fir growing on top. The traditional Squamish name for it is Slhxi7lsh which translates to “standing man.” There’s also a Squamish First Nations legend attached to it but I’ll let you discover that one yourself on the information plaque by the rock.
Third Beach
There are several beautiful beaches in Stanley Park and the seawall runs right alongside them. One of them is Third Beach. It has washrooms and a concession stand, so it’s a good place to stop for a bit and let your feet rest before you continue.
English Bay
Looks like you’ve made it to the most popular beach in Vancouver and the end of the stroll along the Stanley Park seawall (unless you want to close the loop of course!). If you’re not closing the loop, we recommend that you stay at English Bay for sunset!
Option A to close the loop: Lost Lagoon
If you’re not quite ready for the walk to end, walk to English Bay along this beautiful lagoon. It offers stunning reflections of the city skyline and is home to a large number of ducks, geese and other water birds.
Option B to close the loop: Davie Street
If you prefer to reward yourself with something to eat, make your way to Davie Street (also known as the heart of Pride in Vancouver). There are plenty of reasonably priced restaurants, pubs and bars around here, so you’ll have no trouble finding a bite to eat.
FAQs: Walking the Entire Stanley Park Seawall Loop
Is Walking the Entire Stanley Park Seawall Worth It?
Hopefully by this point we’ve convinced you that it is. Understandably, if your time in Vancouver is limited, you may want to visit just one section of the Stanley Park Seawall and leave time for other activities. After all, there is so much to see and do in Vancouver!
Alternatively, you can take in the sights at a faster pace on a bike. The full loop typically takes around 1.5 hours. Renting a bike in Vancouver is really easy and you can do it at both Coal Harbour and English Bay. We previously rented from Spokes (1798 W Georgia St) and had a great experience. If you prefer an e-bike, we recommend Bikes and Blades (710 Denman St).
If walking or biking isn’t your thing and you have a car, you can hop on and off at various viewpoints along the Seawall. Keep in mind though you won’t be able to see the entire Seawall, as the road leads into the park right before Lions Gate Bridge (driving from Coal Harbour). There are other things to see inside the park though, like Prospect Point and trails above the Seawall that will give you a different vantage point and views.
How long does it take to walk the entire Stanley Park Seawall Loop?
I have to start with the obvious and say everyone’s walking pace and fitness level is different, so it can vary. At a moderate pace it can be easily done in 2.5 to 3 hours without stopping. For us, walking the entire loop for the first time took exactly 4 hours and 5 minutes. Our trackers showed just over 15,000 steps and 13.2 km, including crossing from Coal Harbour back to English Bay by walking the Lost Lagoon trail. We stopped many times along the way to take photos and take it all in, but we know the sights well. If this was our first time, I’m sure it would have taken more like 5 or 6 hours, if not more. There’s just so much to see along the way. If you’re visiting Vancouver and want to take on this challenge, plan for it to take most of the day, then a quick refresh afterwards and a big dinner somewhere nice as a reward for all the effort!
What Shoes Should I Wear to Walk the Stanley Park Seawall?
Wear shoes that you feel comfortable in. It’s a lot of walking so a good pair of trainers is your best bet. The path is completely flat and paved so there’s no need for heavy hiking shoes.
Do I Need a Guide to Walk the Stanley Park Seawall?
No, you can absolutely do this on your own. There is no entrance fee as it’s a public space for everyone to enjoy. It’s also pretty much impossible to get lost. The only place where you might is between English Bay and Coal Harbour if you’re cutting through the park, as a few trail paths converge and diverge there.
I’m actually not aware that a guided walking tour of the entire Stanley Park Seawall even exists. There are tours of shorter sections if you’re interested in finding out more about local history and the totem poles in particular. I’ve linked a couple such tours below.
If you do walk it on your own, and I hope you do, you’ll find information plaques at various points along the way. They’re often right at your feet on the seawall bank, so keep your eyes peeled for those.
I hope this guide helps you have the best time walking the Stanley Park Seawall at your own pace! Remember to pack water and snacks and to stop many times along the way to soak in the beautiful views.
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