The Solo Scale:

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If you’ve watched any kind of sci-fi show, you’ve probably seen the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Truthfully, you’ve probably seen most of Vancouver and its surrounding areas at some point or another, but the bridge itself is fairly iconic. It’s more than just a piece of TV background that you can visit, though.

The bridge is a great walk, but then there’s a lot of wooded areas to walk around, there’s a Cliff Walk, totem artwork, and there’s even a great place to buy fudge on property.

Vancouver and the surrounding area is a nature lover’s paradise. You can hike the Grouse Grind (please take care to prepare if you plan to do it – it’s not easy and you can read about my experience here), you can go on normal hikes, and if you want to experience one of the longest suspension bridges in North America, you can visit Capilano.

Now, if you’re afraid of heights, this might not be for you. Like other suspension bridges, it’s rickety and bounces quite a lot right above a gorge. It’s a pretty recognizable spot. It’s been the location for plenty of television & movie shoots since the film industry loves to shoot in Vancouver). You’re actually in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park — the Indigenous name, Kia’palano, is on display alongside multiple totem poles. As time progressed, European settlers began their own construction and use of the site, leading to the bridge we see today. If you want to learn more, you can take a guided history & culture walk.

If you’re just there for the adrenaline thrill of crossing the bridge, that’s okay too! After all, a suspension bridge of this length is definitely not for the faint of heart. It truly does bounce a lot. With the large number of people on it, it can feel like you’re taking a bit of a risk. If you stop in the middle, you can look down (and down, and down) into the canyon below. The bridge isn’t the only highlight, though. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, there’s more paths to traverse. One of them is the Treetops Adventure. This will really give you the bridge-fix you’re after, since they’re just more bridges, a little higher than the suspension one, in the treetops — as the name suggests.

Once you return across the bridge, you can also do the Cliff Walk. This is a suspended walkway (with glass floors in portions) that takes you around the cliffs at Capilano. It’s included in your admission pass, so don’t miss out!

There is also some sweet treats nearby with a great gift shop that has some amazing fudge at reasonable prices. It may not be there still as I visited a while ago, but if it is, you shouldn’t hesitate to try it!

Capilano is a fantastic afternoon trip if you’re in Vancouver. There’s thrills, nature, and the joy of learning all rolled into one — and for a decent price. With the price of your ticket, you can explore the bridge, the cliffwalk, the living forest (an educational area of the park about the ecosystem), and the treetops adventure. Sometimes, you can also do educational talks or see birds of prey.

Check out the website here for more information. If you are planning to visit, tickets are time bound. Make sure you’re not leaving it to the last minute if this is a must-do for you.

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