RIDING CONDITIONS

The Vancouver Crossing Loop begins and ends at Clover Point in Victoria. On clear days, you will be treated to views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains in Washington across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The route through Victoria, Vancouver Island’s largest city and the capital of British Columbia, travels along dedicated bike paths and bicycle-friendly streets. The downtown area can be congested, so stay alert for vehicles and pedestrians.

Clover Point. CC Image courtesy Alex Costin on Flickr

After crossing the Johnson Street Bridge over the Victoria Harbor, you’ll ride onto the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a multi-use trail originally built as a freight railway during World War I. At the Switch Bridge (a 100-metre span over the Trans-Canada Highway), the route veers onto the Lochside Regional Trail. This picturesque, converted railway connects Victoria to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal as it meanders past wetlands, farmlands, beaches, and suburban neighborhoods. While much of the trail offers scenic off-road paths, some sections follow paved or gravel public roads shared with vehicles and farm equipment. As the surroundings become more rural, be on the lookout for horses on the trail. Slow down, announce your presence, and pass cautiously once the rider indicates it’s safe to do so.

The seaside town of Sidney offers shopping, dining, lodging, and several attractions for visitors. To the west, the Victoria International Airport is easily accessible via The Flight Path multi-use trail.

Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal in Swartz Bay 30-60 minutes before your scheduled departure. See advcy.link/bikeBCferries for cyclist travel tips on B.C. ferries. The sailing time to Tsawwassen is approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes. Food and drinks are available onboard. Sit back and enjoy the view of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia to the mainland.

Upon arriving in Tsawwassen, bikes disembark from the ferry before vehicles, but you’ll still be sharing the causeway with fast-moving traffic as cars follow closely behind. The route uses a narrow, curb-protected path along the southern edge of the causeway, but bike lanes are available in both directions if you prefer to ride on the road.

After a short ride through residential neighborhoods, the route transitions out of civilization onto the gravel Boundary Bay Dyke Trail, a scenic path popular with birdwatchers that traces the wetlands of Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area. Local farms use the trail to access nearby fields, so be respectful of any machinery or equipment you may encounter. There is little shade on this section, and if the weather is hot and dry, the trail can be dusty. There are few services on the route between Tsawwassen and Steveston, a distance of about 60 kilometers (37 miles).

The Delta South Surrey Regional Greenway provides a connection to the Lower Trail through Watershed Park, Delta’s largest recreation area, featuring 11 kilometers (7 miles) of forested gravel trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The North Delta Greenway completes this section before crossing the Fraser River. Both the Lower Trail and North Delta Greenway can be muddy during wet weather, and nearby residential roads can be used as a paved alternate. Be aware that these trails parallel a high-speed railway and trains frequently use the tracks. Do not cross except at designated public crossings.

The Alex Fraser Bridge has separate bike paths for northbound and southbound travel that follow the flow of traffic, and the route will direct you to the correct side based on your direction. However, construction occasionally closes one side, requiring cyclists traveling in both directions to share the same path. In all cases, stay alert for oncoming bike traffic on the narrow bridge path. Ride slowly, especially on the downhill side, as the path makes several jogs around the bridge towers and suspension cables. Consider walking your bike in poor weather conditions. The surface can be slippery when wet.

Westminster Highway is very busy, but the route uses a well-protected bike path and frontage road to avoid riding directly with traffic. Sidaway Road and Blundell Road are narrow two-lane roads that can be very busy with commuters. Although the speed limit is low (50 kmh/31 mph), the tight space and ditches on either side can make this section feel uncomfortable. It is only a 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) stretch, but it’s still best to avoid riding here during rush hour if possible.

The shaded Shell Road and Horseshoe Slough Trails guide you back toward the Fraser River and into the community of Steveston. This charming fishing village is rich in history and makes a great stop for lunch or an overnight stay. The West Dyke Trail wraps around Richmond, skirting the wetlands and estuaries of Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area. After a brief stretch through a busy urban and industrial zone near Vancouver International Airport, the route crosses into Vancouver on the North Arm Bridge Bikeway with views of the Fraser River below.

As you enter Vancouver, you’ll encounter increased traffic and congestion. Stay alert, ride confidently, and walk your bike if necessary. The Arbutus Greenway slices through the city along a former railway corridor with easy access to nearby services. The paved path is divided for pedestrians and cyclists, a common layout you’ll encounter throughout the rest of Vancouver. After passing through the vibrant village of Kerrisdale, the route leaves the greenway to head west through a quiet tree-lined residential neighborhood. Pacific Spirit Regional Park is an oasis of nature featuring a lush forest of towering trees and delicate ferns. Ride with care — these trails are shared with hikers, fellow cyclists, horseback riders, and off-leash dogs. Use caution when crossing West 16th Avenue and University Boulevard, as cross traffic does not stop. This area also introduces the first hills of the route, some of which are steep enough that you may prefer to dismount and walk.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Photo by Josh Bowden.

The route levels out as it passes several sandy beaches complete with lifeguards, concessions, and scenic views of the Vancouver skyline. Follow the green signs for the Seaside Bike Route from here to downtown. The route wraps around False Creek, a narrow inlet lined with museums, parks, and marinas. Consider a short detour to Granville Island, a popular destination featuring shops, restaurants, theatres, art galleries, and nightlife. While the bike paths in this area can get crowded with tourists, they are separated from pedestrian walkways to help maintain a smoother flow. Be sure to follow all posted signage, and slow down or walk your bike if the paths become too crowded.

The Seawall Bike Path circling Stanley Park is a highlight of the route, renowned as the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the world. It’s a one-way path that circles the peninsula counterclockwise, so be sure to follow directional signs.

Stanley Park Seawall. Photo by Josh Bowden.

The SeaBus ferry runs all day every 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver. Bikes with trailers are not permitted; use the Lions Gate Bridge as an alternate way to cross the harbor if you are towing a trailer.

From North Vancouver to West Vancouver, the route follows portions of the Spirit Trail along the waterfront. The route then climbs into the hills for a rollercoaster ride along quiet residential streets, with occasional glimpses of the sea through the trees. For a less hilly route, Marine Drive provides a flatter alternative that’s popular with local cyclists, though it will have more traffic.

Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal in Horseshoe Bay 30-60 minutes before your scheduled departure. See advcy.link/bikeBCferries for cyclist travel tips on B.C. ferries. The sailing time to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) is approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. Food and drinks are available onboard.

The route through Nanaimo follows a combination of bike paths and residential streets. Navigation can be a bit tricky here, as some bike paths are not well-signed—so be sure to follow the route closely on your device. Enjoy the scenery of Colliery Dam Park before connecting to the Parkway Trail, a paved, tree-lined path alongside Nanaimo Parkway.

Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo. Photo by Josh Bowden.

South of Nanaimo, the route loops into the foothills along rural country roads. Cedar Road can be busy but generally has good shoulders, and drivers are accommodating. A short ride (5.5 km/3.4 mi. for counterclockwise, 2.4 km/1.5 mi. for clockwise) on the Trans-Canada Highway is necessary to approach the town of Ladysmith. The shoulders are very wide in both directions, but stay alert where side roads enter the highway. Ladysmith features all the warmth and charm of small town living with a full range of services, amenities, and attractions.

The Cowichan Valley Trail from Ladysmith to Chemainus is unpaved and travels through parkland and past residential backyards. Chemainus is easy to miss from the trail, but well worth a stop to enjoy the town’s shops, restaurants, and 50+ murals. South of Chemainus the route follows rural paved roads with some short but steep climbs. In Duncan, the route rejoins the Cowichan Valley Trail and heads into the forest. A pedestrian bridge over the sparkling waters of the Cowichan River brings you into the summer tourist town of Lake Cowichan, popular for its water sports. Stock up on food, water, and supplies here; it is 76 kilometers (47 miles) to the next services in Langford. Potable water is available at Glenora Trails Head Park if needed. Depending on battery range, e-bike riders may need to detour into the Shawnigan Lake area to recharge.

Cowichan Valley Trail. Photo by Josh Bowden.

The stretch between Lake Cowichan and Langford is by far the most remote, scenic, and challenging portion of the entire route, but it’s also the most rewarding. Along the way you’ll encounter several river crossings, towering trestles, remnant old-growth forests, waterfalls, and even a suspension bridge. This section begins by continuing on the Cowichan Valley Trail, which generally has a good gravel surface and gentle grades. South of Shawnigan Lake, the route joins the Malahat Connector and Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail and the terrain becomes significantly more mountainous. Expect some very steep climbs and descents that will require walking your bike for a short distance and beware of loose gravel. Be sure to allow extra time for this section. Bears frequent the area between Duncan and Langford, so use caution, keep your distance, carry bear spray, and hang your food if camping. Camping is not permitted along the Cowichan Valley Trail or Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail except at designated campgrounds.

Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. Photo by Josh Bowden.

The route returns to civilization rather abruptly in Langford, where it connects to the Galloping Goose Trail and E&N Rail Trail for the final stretch through neighborhoods and shopping centers back to Victoria. Several busy intersections require awkward diagonal crossings. Use the crosswalks and try to avoid riding during rush hour.

The route concludes in Victoria with a scenic ride past the impressive British Columbia Parliament Buildings, the lively Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Dallas Road Waterfront before completing the loop at Clover Point.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As we travel by bicycle through these lands, we pause to reflect on our relationship with this place. We ride with respect and honor for the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded these shores, forests, and waters since time immemorial. We commit to caring for this land by staying on paths, leaving no trace, and listening to the wisdom of the Coastal Salish First Nations, including the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬtəməxʷ (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, Halalt, Ts’uubaa-asatx, MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), and others who call these territories home. May your journey be guided by respect, gratitude, and responsibility.

CLIMATE

This route travels through the mild coastal climate of southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, where temperatures are generally moderate year-round compared to most of Canada. Average summer highs range from the upper teens to mid-20s °C (60s & 70s °F). Lake Cowichan tends to be warmer in summer, often reaching the upper 20s °C (80s °F) and seeing less coastal breeze, which can make it feel hotter. Rain is most frequent from October through April, but short showers are still possible during the summer months. Afternoon sea breezes can pick up, especially near the water, while sheltered inland valleys like Lake Cowichan are generally calmer.