Here's why Vancouver's seawall just received international acclaim
There’s now even more evidence that the Vancouver seawall is one of the most beautiful bike paths in the world.
Explore, an adventure travel company, recently conducted a study that revealed the “world’s most beautiful cycling routes.”
They used eye-tracking technology to measure how 200 people responded to images of 52 cycling routes around the world. Researchers analyzed how fast a route caught their attention and held it, creating an “eye-catching” score out of 100.
“We believe cycling tours are one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in a country, giving you the chance to take in the landscape and scenery in a way that walking or driving just can’t match,” wrote Explore.
“Whether it’s a mountainous adventure or a quiet stretch of coastline, every cyclist has their own idea of the perfect view, so we set out to find which routes are objectively the most beautiful in the world.”
And as it turns out, the Vancouver seawall is one of them, earning a score of 75. The average time a participant spent looking was 1.87 seconds, and the average time to first fixation was 1.75 seconds.
“Cyclists pass beaches, totem poles, and views across Burrard Inlet to the North Shore mountains,” Explore wrote.
Explore highlights how the path runs 28 kilometres around Stanley Park and the downtown waterfront, “making it one of the longest uninterrupted waterfront paths in the world.”
It also praises the seawall for its flat terrain, saying that it is a path suited for all abilities that can be completed in two to three hours.
“Sunset over English Bay, with the mountains silhouetted behind, is a breathtaking view.”
What other Canadian spots were on the list?
If you’re inclined for a bit more of an adventure, the Bow Valley Parkway from Banff to Lake Louise earned the top spot on Explore’s list, with an eye-catching score of 97.
The 51-kilometre stretch follows the Bow River “beneath the Canadian Rockies’ limestone peaks.”
Further, Explore noted that in the spring and summer, there are traffic restrictions in the early morning and evening, allowing cyclists to enjoy a “peaceful journey.”
On the other side of the country, Nova Scotia’s 400-kilometre Cabot Trail earned a score of 71, with Explore pointing out that you get a diverse range of views, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to forest highlands.
Another B.C. spot also made the list. The Okanagan Rail Trail, which is a 50-kilometre bike trail on an old rail corridor between Kelowna and Coldstream, earned a score of 67. Explore said that riders will enjoy views of orchards, vineyards, and turquoise lake water.
The Icefields Parkway, a 232-kilometre route between Lake Louise and Jasper, received a score of 61. While Explore noted that it can be a challenging route with long climbs and unpredictable weather, it offers opportunities to not only see glaciers, turquoise lakes, and mountains, but also caribou, bears, and mountain goats.