North Shore Vancouver British Columbia extending from Horseshoe Bay through West Vancouver across North Vancouver into Deep Cove has some of the best mountain biking trails, hills, lines and culture anywhere on earth. With beginner to intermediate and advanced riding options. People come from all over the world to explore the local riding at Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour as well as places like Lynn Valley and around Capilano River right here in Metro Vancouver.
As we get started with this article it’s important to mention if you do decide to go mountain biking please go with 2 people or more and always bring a cell phone and extra water in case of emergencies. If you must go riding alone tell at least 2 different people where you will be going and when you will be home and take a phone and water as mentioned. Enjoying a day on the trails should be fun and rewarding but you must always plan in advance for unforeseen circumstances, especially if you are mountain biking in areas that are new to you or riding trails that have rocks and roots sticking out as those are falling hazards.
One of the best places to plan your riding excursions is using the website and interactive map on Trail Forks as they have difficulty ratings and reviews from people who have ridden the trails, plus it shows you where they are located and how long the distance of the rides will be. That way you can plan your riding around your experience level and where you want to explore.
Another few websites worth checking out are the District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver (PDF). As they have tips and guides to help you get the best from your day out mountain biking. Plus each website dives a bit deeper into details then simply providing you local maps.
The North Shore Mountain Bike Association has been championing great riding habits and supporting the community while bringing people together to maintain and prepare the trails, so definitely connect with them on social media and consider sending them an email if you want some detailed questions answered about riding Vancouver’s North Shore.
West Vancouver and North Vancouver are surrounded by not only mountains but also ancient forests, rivers and the ocean. There is tons of First Nations heritage here as well, so when you are riding remember to be respectful of the lands and always take home your garbage and everything you went into the forest with. This will keep the spaces clean for other users while maintaining the biodiversity that we have on the North Shore.
When you go out riding try to stay on the trails and do not go off trail as this can damage the plants and start to erode the lands around the trees and banks, which over time hurts the trees and animals that call the areas home. If you want to go off trail do so while walking and be mindful of where you are stepping, just be careful to not lose your orientation as it can be quite easy to get lost in the forest depending on where you are riding.
Lastly if you are coming over from downtown Vancouver you can walk onto the Seabus and head over to Lonsdale Quay where there are buses and shuttles you can get onto that will take you to places where you can ride locally here on the North Shore. If you are driving from the Fraser Valley or other places such as Vancouver Island remember to plan for parking as not all trail heads will have parking available depending on the date and time that you decide to go. Have fun, be safe, and plan ahead for all variables.
Mountain Bike Shops For Repairs and Sales on Vancouver’s North Shore
North Shore Bike Shop – 1831 Lonsdale Avenue
Obsession Bikes – 94 Lonsdale Avenue
Lynn Valley Bikes – 3028 Mountain Highway
Steed Cycles – 969 Marine Drive
Norco Bicycles – 400 Brooksbank Avenue
Bicycle Sports Pacific – 1359 Main Street
On Top Bike Shop – 3051 Lonsdale Avenue
Cove Bike Shop – 1395 Main Street
Endless Biking – #101 1467 Crown Street
Comor Bike Shop – 1445 Main Street
OHM Electric Bikes – #103 930 Harbourside Drive
North Shore Road Bike – 1191 15th Street West
Reckless Shipyards – #150 125 Victory Ship Way
Essential Cycles – 305 Mansfield Place
MEC North Vancouver – 212 Brooksbank Avenue
Bicicletta – 1437 Clyde Avenue
Sport Chek – 1000 Park Royal Street