Capilano Watershed is a protected region in Metro Vancouver, characterized by lush coastal rainforests, dramatic canyon walls, and the powerful Capilano River. Nestled within the North Shore Mountains, the area features towering old-growth Douglas fir trees and offers diverse terrain ranging from gentle riverbanks to challenging mountain ascents. This landscape provides a setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more. The Capilano Watershed's primary role as a vital drinking water source ensures a rich…
104
Routes
4.7
(579)
Average rating
9548
People visited

4.9
(38)
834
hikers
2.33km
01:40
800m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
78
hikers
7.32km
01:52
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
41
hikers
13.1km
05:14
980m
980m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
hikers
19.1km
07:05
1,210m
1,210m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(200)
2,649
riders
34.7km
02:11
230m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(29)
503
riders
52.1km
04:08
660m
660m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(44)
385
riders
33.8km
02:14
420m
420m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(9)
110
riders
18.2km
01:06
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(13)
1,071
riders
34.4km
01:37
280m
280m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
308
riders
68.2km
03:12
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(3)
283
riders
50.8km
02:44
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(5)
91
riders
48.6km
02:30
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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225
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(1)
148
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.8
(5)
93
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

25
riders
2.52km
00:18
100m
100m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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77
runners
4.86km
01:32
780m
780m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

62
runners
8.85km
01:18
300m
300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

39
runners
34.3km
05:34
1,660m
1,660m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

18
runners
27.9km
04:37
1,300m
1,300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(4)
51
riders
32.7km
02:06
540m
540m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.2
(9)
31
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
108km
05:35
610m
610m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

8
riders
24.3km
01:32
340m
340m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Capilano Watershed offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 20 routes catering to different skill levels. These activities are primarily found in accessible areas like Capilano River Regional Park and Cypress Provincial Park.
Popular hiking trails in the Capilano Watershed region include the challenging Grouse Grind Trail and the Cleveland Dam – Pipeline Bridge loop. Other options within Capilano River Regional Park are the Coho Loop Trail, Second Canyon Viewpoint Trail, and the Capilano Pacific Trail. For more information, explore the Hiking in Capilano Watershed guide.
Yes, Capilano Watershed offers easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. Trails in Capilano River Regional Park, such as parts of the Capilano Pacific Trail, provide gentler terrain. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Capilano Watershed guide.
The broader Capilano Watershed region provides excellent road cycling opportunities, often incorporating coastal paths and bridge crossings. Routes like the Hollyburn Sailing Club Beach loop offer varied scenery. Cyclists can also utilize routes connecting the Lions Gate Bridge and Capilano Road. More details are available in the Road Cycling Routes in Capilano Watershed guide.
Mountain biking is popular in accessible areas of the Capilano Watershed. Capilano River Regional Park supports mountain biking on trails such as the Pipeline Trail, Dam Road Path, and Camp Capilano. Classic trails in the broader region include 'Severed D – John Deer loop' and 'Expresso.' Refer to the MTB Trails in Capilano Watershed guide for more options.
The region features lush coastal rainforests, dramatic canyon walls, and the Capilano River. Notable natural features include towering old-growth Douglas fir trees and alpine lakes like Burwell Lake and Loch Lomond. The Cleveland Dam offers views of iconic summits such as West Lion and East Lion.
Yes, the Capilano Watershed region offers activities suitable for families, particularly in areas like Capilano River Regional Park. Gentle riverbank trails and accessible viewpoints provide enjoyable experiences for various ages. Easy hikes are available, as detailed in the Easy hikes in Capilano Watershed guide.
Capilano Watershed is a popular destination, with more than 96,000 visitors sharing their experiences on komoot. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 stars. There are 24 routes available, covering various sports and difficulty levels.
Komoot offers several guides for Capilano Watershed, including Hiking in Capilano Watershed, Road Cycling Routes in Capilano Watershed, and MTB Trails in Capilano Watershed. Other guides cover topics like waterfall hikes, easy hikes, and traffic-free bike rides.
The Capilano Watershed is managed by Metro Vancouver. The official website is www.metrovancouver.org. For general inquiries, Metro Vancouver Information Centre can be reached at +1-604-432-6200. For information regarding watershed tours, call +1-604-432-6430.
The Capilano Watershed's primary role is to serve as a vital source of drinking water for over three million residents of Metro Vancouver. This protected status helps maintain rich ecosystems and abundant wildlife in its surrounding accessible areas. The watershed covers approximately 48,297 acres (19,545 hectares).
Yes, jogging is a listed activity in the Capilano Watershed region. There are 9 jogging routes available on komoot. For specific routes and details, consult the Running Trails in Capilano Watershed guide.

