Exploring our Recreational Trails
Public playgrounds, sport fields, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, skate parks, bike parks, lacrosse boxes and outdoor fitness amenities are closed until further notice.
Parks and trails remain open, however please maintain physical distancing, avoid gathering in groups and practice frequent hand washing.
The majority of public washrooms remain open and are frequently cleaned and maintained. See Affected City Services & Facilities for details and maps.
Our popular recreational trails include waterfront and interior trails, that when combined with designated bike lanes, provide excellent opportunities for residents and visitors to discover the treasures of Richmond's "Island City, by Nature" environment.
Unique points of interest along recreational trails can be reached by walking, jogging, or cycling over 40 kilometres of trails that feature marsh and river habitats, beaches, sloughs, bog forests, agricultural landscapes and distant mountain and island views. There are also a number of diverse of historic, ecological, recreational and commercial attractions to discover along the way.
Recreational Trail Scenic Routes and Tours
The structure of Richmond's recreational trails and cycling network is a route based system that is built on a combination of on-street cycling routes, on-street connector routes and off-street cycling and pedestrian trails. Each route is a 'loop', has the same start/end point and is planned in combination with trail, designated bicycle and on-street connector routes.
Four of the suggested routes are under 2 hours, while others are more encompassing cycling tours of the city and take over two hours to complete.
| Route Name | Distance and Cycling Time |
|---|---|
| Steveston / South Dyke | 6km | 20 minutes |
| West Dyke / South Dyke Cycling | 26.5km | 90 minutes |
| East Richmond South / North Arm River | 23.5km | 75 minutes |
| Sea Island Drive / Middle Arm | 25km | 85 min |
| West and South Dyke / Sea Island | 30km | 1 hour 45 min. |
| Middle Arm Trail / East and Central Richmond | 38km | 2 hours |
| Middle Arm Trail / Shell Road Trail / West Dyke Trail | 43.5km | 2 hours 30 min |
| Circumnavigate the Island | 47.5km | 3 hours |
Please note: estimated time for the cycling routes are based on an assumed cycling speed of 18 km/h (11 mph).
Trails and Scenic Routes Brochure
There are several key points of interest along the Recreational Trail System that feature scenic viewing and ecological destination points and are included in the details of each route. In addition to these ecological and scenic points of interest, there are other features along the System such as fishing piers, Nature Park Bog Forest and public art pieces.
For additional information about the Recreational Trail System, please see the Trails Map.
Notice: North Dyke Recreational Trail Closure
Effective November 18, 2010, the North Dyke Recreational Trail between one kilometre east of No. 5 Road and No. 6 Road will be closed indefinitely. Detour routes are:
- Eastbound Users: via No. 5 Road, Vulcan Way and No. 6 Road
- Westbound Users: via No. 6 Road, Vulcan Way and No. 5 Road
Detour signage has been installed to direct users. At this time, the period of closure has not been determined. Please check back for updates.
