January 2024 update
The District of West Vancouver has partnered with British Pacific Properties (BPP) and the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA) to formalize three existing mountain biking trails, and to build a new recreational trail to allow for two-way hiking and uphill mountain biking.
Construction began in July 2023 and proceeded until weather conditions prevented further work. Construction will continue, when weather conditions permit, in spring 2024. Another important part of the project is the installation of a pedestrian/cycling bridge over Marr Creek, which is scheduled for fall 2024.
Background
This recreational trail will be located between the second and fourth switchbacks of Cypress Bowl Road on land owned by BPP and the District, with a financial contribution from BPP for the construction of trails. Once complete, the District will work with NSMBA to maintain these trails for public recreational use.
The NSMBA has long-standing partnerships with several land managers across North Vancouver and has been maintaining trails in the community since 1997, using a unique model, including volunteer trail days and fundraising to engage the community in caring for the trails they use.
This agreement fulfills a long-term commitment by the District and BPP to bring sanctioned mountain bike trails to West Vancouver for the first time and extends NSMBA’s positive impact on the North Shore to the benefit of outdoor enthusiasts.
Developed in consultation with stakeholders, the new trail will be a hiking trail and an uphill mountain bike trail and will follow a slightly different route on District land, designed with a slope that can be ridden uphill by bike. It will be a reconstruction of the historic Old Forks Trail, a route once used by hikers and skiers to reach the Hollyburn area and will provide safe and enjoyable access for all recreational trail users. The existing “Old Forks” trail will be decommissioned once the new trail is complete. Additionally, three existing mountain biking trails—Meat Sweats, Jersey Shore and Morgies—will be formalized, and trail maintenance will commence to improve safety while maintaining the integrity of the original trails.
Please watch for updates on a call for volunteers to support a trail-building day.
This partnership furthers Council’s Strategic Goal to improve the community’s social well-being by initiating a volunteer stewardship program to improve our trails and is also in line with the Official Community Plan’s aim to maintain authorized trails in the Upper Lands in a way that respects the needs of landowners and balances recreational uses with environmental and cultural values.