Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Visitors to British Columbia can cross a wobbling bridge strung across a rainforest canyon 70 metres above a rushing river, and people have been doing so since the 19th century. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park lies in North Vancouver, on the edge of the Capilano River, where the valley walls are covered in Douglas fir, western red cedar and hemlock. The first bridge here was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer who bought land beside the river and rigged a span of hemp rope and cedar planks to cross it. Today the bridge is made of steel cable, but it still sways underfoot, and it is about 140 metres long, making it an unavoidable part of any Vancouver trip.

The bridge is the centrepiece, but the park has expanded far beyond it. The Treetops Adventure is a series of smaller suspension bridges that link platforms built around the trunks of giant Douglas firs, putting visitors on a level with the forest canopy about thirty metres up. Cliffwalk, opened in 2004, is a narrow cantilevered walkway of glass and steel that clings to the granite cliff and follows the canyon wall, with the river thundering far below. Boardwalks lead through the forest floor and give a closer look at the moss, ferns and nurse logs that make up the rainforest ecosystem.

The park also carries cultural and historical content. A collection of totem poles stands near the entrance, and a story centre tells the history of the park, from the Squamish people who have lived along the river for thousands of years to the settlers who followed. Signs describe the forest and its wildlife, including the trout and salmon that run in the river and the birds, such as eagles, that nest overhead. Guided nature tours are offered at some times, and in winter the park is decorated with lights for the Canyon Lights event.

The park is open year-round, though hours change by season, and it is busiest on summer days when the lines to cross can be long. Arriving early or in the late afternoon avoids the worst crowds. A shuttle runs from downtown Vancouver in the high season, and parking is available on site. Wear sturdy shoes, since the paths are uneven.

It is a good choice for families with older children and for anyone who likes a little adrenaline in a beautiful setting.