Vancouver

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan, world-class city rife with outdoor opportunities. After all, Vancouver is known to be one of the few places in the world where one can ski, surf, sail and golf on the same day. But, you could just as well add "hike" to that list.

As a host city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver garnered worldwide attention for its beautiful terrain and winter activities. However, Vancouver is just as well known for its spectacular scenery, which also makes for some spectacular hiking.

As testament to the city's outdoor recreation possibilities, Vancouver is - in fact - home to one of the largest urban parks in North America - Stanley Park - which covers more than 404 hectares (1,000 acres), along with nearly boundless activities: walking, biking, hiking, rollerblading.

On the west side of the city, near the University of British Columbia (UBC), is the Pacific Spirit Regional Park - offering more than 50 kilometres of walking, biking and horseback riding trails. The park comprises 763 hectares of forest and foreshore, including rugged beaches, lush ravines, dense forests and ancient bog.

Vancouver's mild climate and proximity to the ocean, mountains, rivers and lakes make the area ideal for all kinds of outdoor recreation experiences. From leisurely strolls on the city's scenic seawall to woodsy trails with majestic, old-growth trees, the city is brimming with walking and hiking trails for every ability and capability.