Chase the January Blues away on the North Shore Spirit Trail

Suffering from a case of the January “blues?” Behind on your 2017 fitness resolutions? The award-winning, North Shore Spirit Trail may be exactly what you are looking for! Rain or shine, a quick jaunt along the North Shore Spirit Trail is guaranteed to lift your spirits and chase the January blues away! Ultimately, this fully accessible Greenway and waterfront corridor will connect Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove – a real North Shore treasure!

Trail markers are frequent and serve to guide pedestrians, inline skaters, joggers, and cyclists along the route. The story of the Spirit Trail’s logo, named Shewalh Stelmexw, Squamish for “People’s Path” highlights the connection between the trail, communities and our natural surroundings. In fact, the logo, stylized to remind us of our Native ancestor’s stone carvings, recognizes the collaboration between the Squamish Nation, and North Shore municipalities.

I was surprised to learn that in North Vancouver alone, there are seventeen distinct sections of the Spirit Trail. Personally, I have explored the majority of them and find myself at a loss to choose a favourite section. From the enchanting and bustling Lonsdale Quay Market to the view of Burrard Inlet from the Kings Mill Walk Park, the route is a testament to partnerships and a shared vision of an active waterfront transportation corridor and multi-use pathway.

Short on time and needing a little “pick me up”, and a healthy dose of nature, I decided to explore Moodyville Park, section twelve of the trail. Home to a thought provoking piece of public art, called Site Memories: Murmuring Crows, Moodyville Park features a more nature oriented section of trail. Winding between the large trees, following the images of crows sandblasted into boulders along the Spirit Trail, I felt like I was a world away from the bustling harbour nestled below. A small neighbourhood playground, set amongst the trees serves as a terrific pit stop for families cycling along the trail, and I stopped for a moment to observe the action. Further along, I stumbled upon the Ravine Connector, mini suspension bridge and 3rd Street Overpass. Certainly, highlights of this route, these features brought a smile to my face. That’s the spirit! Goodbye January blues!

Getting There:

There are numerous access points to the North Shore Spirit Trail – visit this link to view the City of North Vancouver sections and plan your day!