A stone edge around the whole park
The path stays at sea level the whole way. It runs about 9 km around Stanley Park, with a hand-laid stone wall on one side and Burrard Inlet or English Bay on the other. The loop is one piece of a longer seawall that continues around False Creek toward Kitsilano.
The wall took decades to build, from the 1910s to 1980. Stonemason James Cunningham spent more than 30 years of his working life on it, and a plaque near Siwash Rock remembers him. Underfoot it is flat, paved and wide, split into two marked lanes.
What you pass, in order
Go counter-clockwise from Coal Harbour and the landmarks come in this order:
- Brockton Point totem poles: a cluster of carved poles near the eastern tip, the most photographed stop in the park.
- Nine O’Clock Gun: a cannon that still fires every evening at 9pm.
- Brockton Point Lighthouse and the Girl in a Wetsuit statue sitting on a rock offshore.
- Lions Gate Bridge: the path runs right under its deck, with Prospect Point on the cliff above.
- Siwash Rock: a lone basalt stack standing in the water off the west shore.
- Third Beach and Second Beach: sand, logs to lean on, and open water facing west.
Past Second Beach you come out at English Bay, at the bottom of Denman Street.
Getting on and getting round
Most people start at one of two ends. The Coal Harbour end is about a 15–20 minute walk from Burrard Station (Expo and Millennium Lines). The English Bay end sits at the foot of Denman Street, where the bike rental shops are clustered. The #19 bus goes to the Stanley Park loop near the park entrance.
You can drive, but parking in the park is metered. The current rates are posted at the pay stations. Walking the full loop takes 2–3 hours with stops. On a bike it’s about an hour. The Vancouver Aquarium and the Stanley Park Pavilion are short detours inland if you want a break.
Storms and king tides sometimes damage sections or close them for repairs, mostly in winter. Check the City of Vancouver parks site before you set out. Rain gear matters more here from November to March than any other kit you could bring.
Lanes, direction and the one-way rule
The painted lanes are enforced by everyone using them. Cyclists, skateboarders and inline skaters keep to the lane nearer the road. Walkers and runners use the lane nearer the water. If you’re on foot and stray into the wheeled lane to take a photo, expect a bell.
Bikes ride the loop counter-clockwise only, starting at Coal Harbour and finishing at English Bay. Rental shops on Denman will set you off in the right direction. Walkers can go either way. Going counter-clockwise anyway means the open western stretch and the sunset come at the end.
For sunset, aim to reach Third Beach or English Bay before the sun goes down. Locals bring takeaway and sit on the logs. You can’t buy food along most of the wall, so carry water and snacks from the Denman Street shops. Unless you want to walk back the same way, plan a loop: the #19 bus or a short walk through the West End gets you back to your start.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Stanley Park Seawall loop?
About 9 km. Walking takes 2–3 hours with stops, and cycling takes roughly an hour.
Which direction should I go?
Cyclists must ride counter-clockwise, starting at Coal Harbour and finishing at English Bay. Walkers can go either way, but counter-clockwise leaves the western beaches and the sunset for the end.
How do I get there without a car?
From Burrard Station (Expo and Millennium Lines), walk 15–20 minutes to Coal Harbour. You can also take the #19 bus to the Stanley Park loop or start from the foot of Denman Street at English Bay.
When is the best time to go?
Late afternoon into sunset is best, because the west side faces open water at Third Beach and English Bay. In winter, check the City of Vancouver parks site first, since storm damage can close sections.
What's nearby?
Inside the park you have the Brockton Point totem poles, the Vancouver Aquarium, Prospect Point and Second and Third Beaches. Just outside are English Bay and the Denman Street food and bike rental strip.
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