Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Tourist attraction · Capilano ·
Suspension bridge, Cliffwalk, and Treetops Adventure in rainforest
Suspension bridge, Cliffwalk, and Treetops Adventure in rainforest
"Crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge is a vertigo-inducing but rewarding experience that cuts through lush woodland just outside Vancouver." - Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske is an associate editor at TripSavvy and a former associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure. She writes and edits content about destinations around the world, covering everything from travel-related news and tips to stories about quirky destinations. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"I crossed suspension bridges at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and recommended it as a thrilling treetop experience near Vancouver for families who enjoy mild adventure." - Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe is a Los Angeles-based writer with an obsession with good eats and interesting stories. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, TravelAge West, Ventura Blvd, and L.A. Parent, writing about food, family travel, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"After sending a team of horses swimming across the Capilano River with a long rope in tow, the builder of the original Capilano Suspension Bridge could never have dreamed that his simple span would become a world-class attraction. Built in 1889 by Scottish civil engineer George Grant Mackay, the 460-foot bridge was constructed of hemp rope and cedar planks. Once the bridge was in place, Mackay’s property became popular among his friends who took the name “the Capilano Tramps” to mark themselves as the adventurous types who would dare cross the swaying bridge. The crude original version was upgraded to a wire cable bridge in 1903. Then in 1910, the property was sold and began changing hands across the years as each subsequent owner built the bridge’s reputation as a world-class adventure tourism destination. The span was completely rebuilt in 1956 and is now under the purview of a small chain of rustic tourist attractions. The Capilano Suspension Bridge continues to draw huge crowds of visitors every year and is ranked as one of Vancouver’s most popular destinations. Additions have been made to the park to increase the visitor experience. On the west side of the bridge is the Treetop Adventures Canopy Walk, which consists of eight wooden bridges suspended between a number of huge Douglas Fir trees over 100 feet in the air. Bridges are secured to the trees not through nails or bolts that would damage the trees, but through specially engineered steel collars. Once removed, these collars will have done no damage to the host trees at all. In 2011, the vertigo-inducing Cliffwalk opened on the east side of the canyon. Pinned straight into the rock cliffs, the Cliffwalk is a series of secure and narrow walkways jutting out from the cliffs, through the trees, and over the river. Providing excellent views of the Suspension Bridge itself and the river below, as well as the trees growing out of the cliffs, and the surrounding forest, the Cliffwalk is a unique way to appreciate, and feel the thrill, of the West Coast. Not bad for something that started as a simple bridge built to entertain friends." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"Dating back to 1889, this simple suspension footbridge across the Capilano River is high, fairly narrow and extremely shaky—the cedar planks bounce on their steel cables as you walk—and if the bridge itself doesn’t scare you, the Cliffwalk attraction (opened in spring 2011) lets you climb a series of suspended walkways attached to a cliff." - Lyndsey Matthews Lyndsey Matthews Lyndsey Matthews is a writer and editor specializing in all things travel. She has been on staff at Travel + Leisure, Hearst Digital Media, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Afar, covering everything from destination news to travel products. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"This 27-acre attraction in North Vancouver gets the heart racing with a suspension bridge that bounces 230 feet above a forested river gorge. Even more spectacular, however, is the Cliffwalk, a labyrinth of walkways along the granite flank of the valley. Get a bird’s-eye view of the area during the Treetops Adventure, a canopy expedition through the upper tiers of 250-year-old Douglas firs. The experience doesn’t come cheap at $46.95 per adult, but it does include free shuttle service from downtown and mini-tours that cover the flora, fauna, and First Nations involvement in the park. From late November to late January, Capilano strings holiday lights around the canyon and decorates the world’s tallest living Christmas tree."
