The Gentle Traveller: Vancouver's North Shore

We prefer our outdoor playground to have mountains instead of monkey bars and kayaks instead of slides. While the neighbourhood kids play tag, we jog the seawall. It’s our adult version of recess.

Across the Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver is the North Shore. This is where Vancouverites escape to the mountains to hike, bike, climb, kayak, raft and play.

Outdoor Adventures

We’re suckers for the ocean, so our first duty after arriving was to get out on the water. Deep Cove, a sheltered inlet, provides gentle ocean kayaking surrounded by epic glacier-carved mountains, lazing seals and elegant heron. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre offers lessons, hourly rentals, or lets you run loose with their vessels for overnight camping trips. 

Back on dry land, we took advantage of the mountainous terrain by hopping on a bike and navigating the trails with Endless Biking. Guides fit us up in super deluxe mountain bikes and had us riding over gnarly roots and rocks in no time.

The mountains are also navigable by foot, through the extensive trail network. We dare you to try ‘em all.

Eating on the North Shore

You’re dying to know about the good eats, aren’t you? Our favourite haunt is an unknown spot called Café by Tao. Agat Mathieu serves organic, raw, vegan meals that fuel your body rather than weigh you down.

There’s no fancy sauces or hidden oils, just simple, creative dishes like Nori Rolls, zucchini noodle lasagne, and a veggie burger with a lettuce leaf “bun”. We pretty much adore everything about Café by Tao. Also try the ultra cute Buddha-Full café.  

Alternative Energy

Whenever we’re on the North Shore, we can’t help but stop by Grouse Mountain and the incredible Eye of the Wind, a wind turbine you can actually view from the inside (the first and, as far as we know, the only one in the world you can do so). The beating blades on the highest vantage point in Vancouver spin up to 50 km per hour (90 km when there are no guests inside) just metres away from you.

We ask you

How many houses do you think the Eye of the Wind turbine can power? What are your favourite trails on the North Shore? Have you ever been kayaking in Deep Cove? Tell us in the comments section below.

*Lori stayed as a guest of Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, a four key property in the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. They have two free bicycles for guests to use and are located within walking distance of the SeaBus from downtown Vancouver and all of the buses that serve the area, so no car is needed for your travels.  

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