Where to enjoy outdoor activities at UBC

Dec 20 2017, 1:19 am

UBC arguably has the most gorgeous campus out of any Vancouver post-secondary institution. As such, the vast expanse of land that encompasses the university has a plethora of outdoor activities on offer in a beautiful setting.

Below are five outdoor activities to take advantage of while you’re attending the University of British Columbia.

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Wreck Beach

This is a Vancouver and UBC staple. The clothing optional beach has been named the best nude beach in Canada by Hotels.com and it’s pretty clear why: the stunning views and cool hippy-vibe make it a go-to destination. People come from far and wide to revel in the stunning shores of this tucked-away beach that, admittedly, requires a bit of a hike to get to.

Stands of all kinds line the beach, from places serving non-alcholic beverages, to food, to handmade crafts and clothing. And you guessed it – all the stands are run by people in the buff.

Besides the freedom of clothing-optional rules, the beach offers stunning views that will take your breath away, perfect for early morning beach runs, kayaking, paddle boarding and anything you can imagine.

Pacific Spirit Park

There are many trails around Pacific Spirit Park for active people to enjoy. You can curate your own route based on the handy map posted at the entrance to the park or you can follow the perimeter and get a solid three hour walk in.

Vancouver Trails rates it as an easy hike with minimal inclines that’s dog friendly and accessible by transit (or walking for those on campus), so even novices can enjoy the natural splendour of this park in the endowment lands.

For more information and pictures, click here.

Acadia/Tower Beach

This one is pretty cool since there’s a bit of history behind it. Accessed via a trail by the Museum of Anthropology, this beach is a nice, scenic walk with a surprise: when you wander far enough West, you’ll come across two World War II era watch towers built to look for Japanese submarines. Just past those towers, you’ll enter into Wreck Beach territory.

This is a better walking beach than it is one to lounge on since it’s rocky and full of logs – you might even have to traverse a few in order to continue your journey. There are some nice tidal pools and the beach makes for a lovely photo-op.

Join an intramural sports league

UBC has no shortage of great intramural sports leagues to join. For those who are athletic, it’s a great way to get out some energy, de-stress from studying and get a little competitive, all while enjoying the outdoors.

Some of the leagues that are outdoor include:

And of course there are bevy of indoor intramural sports to choose from as well. For a complete list of all the leagues UBC has to offer, click here.

UBC Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens at UBC serve a dual purpose: to wow visitors with the many species of beautiful plants and to allow for research opportunities.

The gardens are home to more than 50,000 different plant species and are available to UBC students for free, so it would be a great place to take a study break and escape from the world for a little bit.

With this outdoor activity, the name of the game isn’t physical fitness, but relaxation and learning. Learn about plants from Asia, North America, and the Alpine mountains, and if you feel like dishing out the dough, they even offer Segway tours.

For more information on the Botanical Gardens, click here.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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