The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver is one of the most significant attractions and, according to some, one of the ten most visited places in Canada. The bridge, stretching over the canyon 136 m long at a height of 70 m, attracts not only local residents, but also tourists from all over the country and abroad. Here you can enjoy plenty of fresh air and get a good supply of adrenaline from walking over the abyss, because the river flowing at the bottom of the canyon from this height seems like a thin stream.
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| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver |
The bridge got its name from the river over which it stretched, as well as the lake of the same name and the surrounding area. However, few people know that the original name was Kiapalano, which means "beautiful river" in the language of the Skomish people, who lived here before the arrival of Europeans. Kia'palano - that was the name of one of the greatest leaders of the Komish, who fought all his life for the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples and their way of life.
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| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver |
History of the bridge
In 1888, George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and real estate developer, arrived in the young city of Vancouver, Canada. McKay purchased 6,000 acres of dense forest on both sides of the Capilano River and built a cabin on the very edge of the canyon wall. In 1889, with the help of horses that carried ropes across the river, he stretched a pedestrian crossing made of hemp rope and cedar planks through the canyon. Then the ropes were pulled up from the other side and tied to huge cedar logs buried deep in the ground. This is how the first suspension bridge across the canyon appeared. It was built solely for the convenience of the sawmill workers, but soon the place became quite popular, and many "Capilano vagabonds", as they called themselves, sought to visit it. Crossing the rickety bridge should have given them a reputation as brave adventurers.
After the death of the engineer in 1903, the bridge was rebuilt: hemp ropes were replaced with metal cables. Since it was always located on private territory, it changed owners along with the resale of the land on which it was located. Each new owner tried to introduce him into a new tourist miracle for lovers of extreme sensations.
The bridge was completely reconstructed in 1956. And in the early 80s, it acquired the current owner, Nancy Stibbart. She decided that one bridge would not be enough to attract tourists, and now it is part of Capilano Park. It took less than 10 years to complete. Now, according to various estimates, Capilano is visited by 800 thousand to 1 million people a year. On average, guests spend two to three hours in the park.
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| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver |
Entertainment and attractions
Of course, the main attraction that hundreds of thousands of tourists come to see is the suspension bridge. And although now it is a very reliable structure that can support 96 elephants at the same time (according to the park's engineers), walking on it is a real test for many. After all, if the day turned out to be windy, and there are a lot of people on it, it begins to sway. This adds an adrenaline rush to the pedestrians who are there, although it is completely harmless.
The bridge is equal in height to the Statue of Liberty to the shoulders, and in length to two NHL hockey rinks! It is open for visits all year round, in any weather. On rainy days, the caring staff will even give you a raincoat. Incredible views from it open even in inclement weather, and in winter the snowy landscapes are simply magnificent.
After walking enough, you can take a less extreme, but no less interesting walk through the trees. The attraction called Treetops Adventure is the first of its kind in all of North America. This is a network of seven suspension bridges stretched between eight 30-ton 250-year-old Douglas fir trees. Viewpoints are designed and fixed so as not to interfere with the natural growth of trees, and are not attached to them with anything like bolts or nails that damage the plant. You can take a guide who will tell you about the uniqueness of the Canadian forest. And for children, there are small quests along the way, for which you can get a reward at the end of the route.
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| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver |
Another attraction not for the faint of heart is the Cliffwalk. This is one of the latest events to open in the park. It is a narrow trail along a cable car along the sheer cliff of Capilano Canyon. The length of the road is 213 m, its width does not exceed 50 cm, and some sections of the path consist only of glass. Despite the fact that the glass is very strong, the feeling that under your feet you only have a canyon far below makes you a little nervous.
For lovers of a more measured rest in the park, there is the Nature's Edge promenade. This is a boardwalk that runs through the forest, under the bridge and goes to the pond. Along the way, there are geological, historical and natural educational expositions. The route has a small number of stairs, but at the same time it is quite simple. It should be borne in mind that it can be closed due to bad weather if the areas are too snowy or icy, but this happens very rarely. If you do not want to miss this promenade when visiting, it is better to call for clarification before going to the park.
The forest contains many totem poles and other West Coast Indigenous art. Most of them are authentic and made in the 1960s, and the first totems appeared here in the 1930s, when the owner of the park invited the local people to place their historical heritage here. The staff will welcome you in 1890s clothing, take you on a tour and talk about the historical connection between the culture of the first peoples and the natural world.
During the winter months, the Canyon Lights show is held here. Thousands of lights glittering throughout the forest, adorning the Capilano Suspension Bridge and lookouts, attract a huge number of people who want to take part in holiday quests, decorate gingerbread cookies or create their own Christmas card. The park has souvenir shops and cafes for those who are hungry or want to warm up a little on a winter evening with a cup of hot tea.
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| Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver |
Tickets
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is open all year round from 09:00, but the duration varies depending on the season from 17:00 to 20:00. The exception is the period in winter - from November 19 to January 22, when it is open from 11:00 to 21:00. The only non-working day is Christmas on December 25th.
You can buy tickets at the entrance, or purchase them in advance for the date you need on the official website of the park. The cost varies depending on the age of the visitor. Adult (from 17 to 64 years old) ticket costs 59.95 Canadian dollars, for people over 65 years old, admission to the park will cost CAD 54.95, for students over 17 years old with an ID card, the ticket will cost CAD 46.95, for children from 13 to 19 - CAD 31.95, and for children from 6 to 12 - CAD 21.95. Children and youth must be accompanied by a person over 17 years of age.
How to get there
The park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, so finding your way to it is easy.
Every day, free shuttles depart from the city, which take everyone to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge and other attractions. Buses run all year round, you can see the schedule and stops on the official website.