Pacific Spirit Regional Park — Park Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Let’s start big picture. What sets this park apart? Pacific Spirit Regional Park is the real deal: more than 2,000 acres of wild, Douglas fir–forested lands vivisected by almost 50 miles of trails (including 22 miles suitable for bikes and horses), much of it set along the waters of the Georgia Straight. It’s a bit out of the way—the University of British Columbia is at Vancouver’s westernmost reaches—but it’s one of the city’s best gems. Anything we should be sure to check out? If you’re a mountain biker, serious runner, walker or hiker, or someone keenly interested in the topography of this area before it was urbanized (there are still a few verifiable stands of old-growth trees scattered throughout), this is the park for you. For those who eschew clothes, Wreck Beach, located at the bottom of Trail 6, is Vancouver’s legendary clothing-optional beach. How easy is it to navigate? Up for a workout? While many trails are meant to be accessible—Heron Trail, for example, is only three quarters of a mile long and has gentle slopes—some of the trails are challenging, with grades of 20-25 percent or more. All said and done, who do you think will get the most out of a visit to Pacific Spirit? This park is for those who want to get lost in nature. To get the most out of your time here, you’ll want to get a map of the trails—that way, you’re not starting out blind." - Guy Saddy
