Foreshore Trail — Attraction in Electoral Area A

The Foreshore Trail runs around the western edge of the University of British Columbia (UBC) on Vancouver’s coast, through Pacific Spirit Regional Park. It follows the shoreline, incorporating beach walks, rocky foreshore, forested sections, and several trail access points down steep slopes from Marine Drive.

You'll pass by beaches (Acadia, Wreck), viewpoints toward the Strait of Georgia, Bowen Island, and, in some places, relics of old World War II fortifications (towers along the beach) that nod to Vancouver’s coastal history.

Length & Difficulty: Moderate walk/hike. Depending on how far along the foreshore you go (and whether you do out-and-back or point-to-point), the route can take ~2.5-3 hours. Elevation changes are modest apart from the descent/ascent via stairs or cliff trails at access points.

Shoreline sections are often rocky and slippery, especially around high tides or after storms. There are sandy stretches, pebbles, gravel, and also forested trails above the foreshore. Multiple stair sections down to beaches, and slope/erosion in some parts.

Several trail numbered access points from Marine Drive (Acadia, Trail #3, #4, #6, #7). These allow you to get in or out of the beach/foreshore portions. Some parts of the trail beyond certain access points are less maintained or temporarily impassable.

Parts of the trail are unusable at high tide. Erosion and landslides (especially after heavy weather) have damaged sections between Trail 3 and Trail 6. The condition of the shoreline changes with tides, storms,...

Foreshore Trail, known as Trail 6/7, accessible from Wreck Beach and Old Marine Drive.

Wreck Beach is clothing optional, but there are visible signage halfway of the stairs for both Trail 6 and 7, one may see nudist along the trail and the beach.

Beware of high tides which can flood the trail at times year-round. Fall/Winter weather damages the trail from time to time. Windstorms during winter 2021/22 season already caused substantial damages to the trail (fallen trees from Wreck Beach in the North and certain section of the trail from Trail 7 in the South has been washed away. Use extreme caution. Construction work is underway from Wreck Beach side of the trail as of January 2022.

PETS not permitted between March 1 and September 30. Parking for Foreshore Trail from Old Marine Drive entrance closes shortly...

consider not going during high tides / uneasy sea. This is a great trail, beautiful scenery at all times. Was pretty chill when i went in March and April. One good thing about it is that you can quit at multiple points and head back to UBC. Small challenging point is walking on rocks at all times requires a bit of focus to not...