Cliffwalk

Successful days at Cliffwalk begin with a bit of forethought. Located within the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, this attraction draws everyone from school groups to world travelers. Expect winding lines on warm weekends, especially when Pacific Northwest sunshine warms the leafy canopy. Tickets are often easiest to purchase in advance online. Public transit from downtown Vancouver lessens the headache of parking, with frequent buses dropping off a short walk from the park’s gates. While families and seniors find most paths manageable, the heights and narrow footways of Cliffwalk may not suit every comfort level.

• Best time to visit: Weekdays in spring or fall, early morning to avoid afternoon crowds.
• How to get there: Take bus #236 from Lonsdale Quay or #246 from downtown Vancouver; limited parking is available on site.
• Accessibility: While most parts of the park accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, Cliffwalk itself features stairs and narrow sections; consider comfort with heights and mobility.
• Average visit duration: Plan for 2–3 hours to see Cliffwalk, the main bridge, and surrounding nature paths.

While Capilano Suspension Bridge claims the biggest crowds, Cliffwalk delivers the boldest thrill. Built into the granite cliff face, a narrow walkway snakes past waterfalls, jutting ledges, and glass-bottom viewing decks. Portions hang nearly 300 feet above the riverbed, providing heart-pounding perspective and rare photo ops. Beyond the main path, moss-draped forest trails, a series of interpretive exhibits, and the oft-overlooked Living Forest boardwalk round out the experience. Visitors on the lookout for calm corners should seek the quieter back paths, where songbirds flit overhead and giant Douglas firs shield walkers from the busy main trails.

• Key sights or features: The cantilevered Cliffwalk itself (look for glass floor panels); the Epiphyte Bridge section; rainforest interpretive signs; cliff-hugging walkways with see-through railings.
• Unique experiences: Peer down through glass panels; join a guided park tour (included in admission) to learn about local plants and the history of nearby First Nations.
• Photo-worthy locations: The main Cliffwalk curve overlooking Capilano River; glass viewing platforms; forest canopy shots from under the suspension bridge.
• Cultural or historical facts: The lands around Cliffwalk belong to the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. Interpretive points highlight Indigenous stories and the West Coast temperate rainforest ecosystem.