Gravel riding routes accessible from Vancouver
Vancouver is surrounded by mountains, which is both the appeal and the problem. A lot of the best gravel riding requires a car shuttle or a very long road climb to get to the good stuff. But there are a few routes that are genuinely accessible from the city by bike, and they're worth knowing about.
The Seymour Valley Trailway
The Seymour Valley Trailway runs about 10km from the Lynn Headwaters parking area up into the Seymour watershed. It's a wide gravel road, mostly flat, and rideable on anything with 35mm or wider tyres. The surface is well-maintained by Metro Vancouver and the views of the river are good. It's a popular trail so expect to share it with walkers and runners, especially on weekends.
You can ride there from the North Shore via the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, though the road approach through Lynn Valley has some busy sections. Most people drive to the trailhead.
Burke Mountain and the Pinecone Burke Provincial Park access roads
The forest service roads on the south side of Burke Mountain in Coquitlam are some of the best accessible gravel in the region. The climb from the Munro Lake trailhead is steep. About 400m of elevation over 8km. But the surface is good and the descent is fast. A 650b bike with 40mm or wider tyres is the right tool for this terrain.
Access from Vancouver requires either a car or a combination of SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central and a 20-minute road ride to the trailhead. The latter is doable but adds about 300m of climbing to your day.
The Pitt River corridor
The dike roads along the Pitt River in Pitt Meadows are flat, quiet, and rideable on almost any bike with tyres wider than 28mm. The surface varies from packed gravel to rough farm track. On a clear day the views of Golden Ears are exceptional. The area is accessible by West Coast Express to Pitt Meadows station, which makes it a genuine car-free day out from Vancouver.
The dikes can be muddy after rain, so check the forecast before you go. A fender is not optional in spring or fall.
If you're thinking about getting into gravel riding and want to talk through what bike setup makes sense for these routes, come in. We've ridden most of them and can give you a realistic picture of what's involved.