Trip 152 - April 29, 2019 (Monday)

Admiralty Trail Hike

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Location in Vancouver: Northwest Marine Drive, by Spanish Banks Beach, near UBC.

Liked: A pleasant forest, shade, several fine water and mountain views, a large tree, an easy path.

Of Note: The trail is popular, constant traffic noise and frequent airplane noise, steep drop-offs, off-leash dogs, parking could be an issue during the busy season.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains BC Backroad Mapbook (2nd edition) Coordinates: Page 1 (Vancouver) A2.

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Admiralty Trail is quite short (about 1.7 km), and can be done at a leisurely pace in half an hour. This trail is part of an enormous Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and has several other trails branching off or intersecting with it, so your hike can be extended accordingly. For example, you can take East and West Canyon trails for a 20-30 minute loop, which will get you back to Admiralty Trail - taking this loop would also bring the traffic noise to a minimum. Admiralty Trail runs parallel to Northwest Marine Drive, and parallel to the Spanish Banks beach. The benefit of taking this trail is threefold: 1) shade, which is virtually absent on the beach; 2) fewer people than on the beach; 3) a bit less noise than on the beach. The views of the water and mountains are largely obstructed by trees, though a few spots feature a treeless "window" to look through. Beware of off-leash dogs - one overly friendly pooch jumped on us and scratched our leg.

1. Here is the location of Pacific Spirit Regional Park (shaded in red) in Metro Vancouver. The map is located on the information board by the parking lot.

Metro Vancouver Parks Map

2. Also on the information board is a map of the Northern part of Pacific Spirit Regional Park - we parked a the P sign seen in the top left corner of the photo below. You can also park at the Spanish Banks Central Lot, to start your hike of Admiralty Trail from the opposite direction.

Map of Pacific Spirit Regional Park - Northern Part

3. We are westbound on West 4th Avenue in Vancouver, with Alma Street a few hundred meters behind us, and the turnoff to Northwest Marine Drive ahead.

West 4th Avenue Vancouver BC Canada

4. Within a minute, make a right turn onto Northwest Marine Drive. It's 1.1 km from Alma Street to NW Marine Drive turnoff.

West 4th Avenue at Northwest Marine Driver Turnoff in Vancouver British Columbia

5. Take NW Marine Drive for 3.5 kilometers. Watch for cyclists - they are everywhere.

NW Marine Drive Vancouver BC

6. Arriving at the parking lot for Pacific Spirit Regional Park - Admiralty Trail (to the left) and Acadia Beach (to the right). Coordinates for the parking lot: N 49⁰16.760' W 123⁰14.518'. Elevation: 10 meters.

Parking lot for Admiralty Trail and Acadia Beach in Pacific Spirit Regional Park

7. The view of the parking lot from the other side. About 20 vehicles can fit here, and parking could be a challenge on busy days. Also, parking is restricted to 3 hours Monday through Friday. No such limit at the Spanish Banks Central Lot, at the other end of Admiralty Trail.

Admiralty Trail Parking lot in Pacific Spirit Regional Park Vancouver BC Canada

8. An information board is located next to a short path to Acadia Beach.

9. Here is the path. At the bottom are three picnic tables and several washrooms. Upon making a sharp right turn, there is the beach access (dogs are allowed off-leash on that beach).

Path to Acadia Beach at Pacific Spirit Regional Park Vancouver British Columbia

10. Acadia Beach features a very neat view.

Acadia Beach Pacific Spirit Regional Park

11. Downtown Vancouver via a substantial zoom.

Zoomed View of Downtown Vancouver from Acadia Beach in Pacific Spirit Regional Park

12. In the opposite direction from the Acadia Beach access, and right across from the parking lot, is a staircase leading to Admiralty Trail.

Admiralty Trail Access Staircase Pacific Spirit Regional Park

13. At the top of the staircase.

Hike in Vancouver

14. Admiralty Trail begins. It will end 1.7 km later by the Spanish Banks Central Lot.

The beginning of Admiralty Trail Pacific Spirit Regional Park - Trail in Vancouver BC Canada

15. Alas, the views are mostly obstructed by the trees. Though, occasionally, you do get to see the water and mountains.

View from Admiralty Trail - hiking in Vancouver BC

16. Now with some zoom.

Vancouver hike - zoomed view from Admiralty Trail Pacific Spirit Regional Park

17. Approximately 1.3 km from the start of the trail, you get to see this very fine tree.

Admiralty Trail - Vancouver Trail British Columbia

18. Quite impressive indeed.

A large tree on Admiralty Trail - hiking in Pacific Spirit Regional Park Vancouver BC Canada

19. You then walk up and down some stairs, and then down again...

Staircase on Admiralty Trail Pacific Spirit Regional Park - Hiking in Vancouver BC

20. Eventually, you end up at the Spanish Banks Central Lot.

Spanish Banks Central Lot Vancouver BC

21. Here is a good place to park, if the first lot is full, or you plan on parking for more than 3 hours on a weekday.

Spanish Banks Central Parking Lot Vancouver British Columbia Canada

22. Good views here.

View from Spanish Banks Central Parking Lot in Vancouver BC

23. Here is the view of the way to Admiralty Trail from Spanish Banks Central Lot.

The way to Admiralty Trail from Spanish Banks Central Parking Lot

Admiralty Trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park is quite short, but has its benefits for folks in need of a shade, or a less crowded outdoors experience.