Vancouver in October is readymade for Halloween . Overcast skies, deep, dark forests and mist rising from the chilly coastal waters all lend a spooky air. For hikers seeking a little extra thrill on their excursions, here are three suggestions for atmospheric Halloween treks:
- Scare Yourself Silly in Stanley Park : Vancouver’s central park is covered by hundreds of acres of dense, damp Pacific rainforest. Long trails wind through dark groves of cedar, fir and hemlock. Did I mention the area also borders on Deadman Island, once home to a First Nations’ burial site? Click here for a trail map.
- Get the Chills in Lighthouse Park : Located just a few minutes from downtown in West Vancouver , Lighthouse Park boasts one of the largest stands of old growth forest in the entire region. Towering, thousand-year-old trees form a spooky canopy overhead. Trails converge on steep ocean-side cliffs, where the historic lighthouse sweeps its beam through the mist and fog.
- Get Weak in the Knees at Capilano Suspension Bridge : Afraid of heights? Vancouver’s iconic suspension bridge hangs more than 70 feet above the churning Capilano River in North Vancouver. Just a few feet wide, the wobbly span stretches for more than 450 feet. Once you’ve crossed, test your mettle on the Treetops Adventure , a canopy walkway hung up to 100 feet high amidst old growth Douglas fir trees. Or explore Cliffwalk , a narrow pathway – with glass-bottomed sections – that threads high above the canyon.
Know any other spooky hikes? Please let us know below.
