Ride the Vancouver Crossing Loop, Part of the Trans Canada Trail

While this blog is primarily about bicycle travel done on paved roads, I’m certainly not one to condemn those of us who like to load some panniers and ride unpaved trails on their mountain bike or on a gravel bike. In fact, sometimes the best rides can be found off of paved roads where, of course, it is so much safer to ride anyway.

But if gravel riding isn’t specifically your thing, don’t worry. This trail is really a mix of gravel and pavement. So, if you’re seeking a unique place to do some gravel biking, the Adventure Cycling Association has a great ride. It’s called the Vancouver Crossing Loop, which is located in Victoria, British Columbia, not far, as the name suggests, from the beautiful city of Vancouver.

About The Vancouver Crossing Loop

Opened this year, 2025, the Vancouver Crossing Loop is a 314 mile bike route that starts and ends in Victoria, British Columbia. It is part of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest multi-use trail network in the world.

This ride is for the true cycling adventurer. In addition to the mix of gravel and paved roads, the route requires cyclists to utilize three ferry rides in order to get to various parts of the trail. However, if you’re looking for big climbs and KOMs to add to your Strava, this ride probably won’t appeal to you.

Riding The Vancouver Crossing Loop Itself

The trail itself, as already mentioned, is a mix of paved road and gravel, former logging roads and rail lines. During the ride, according to Amy Wally, Adventure Cycling Association’s Cartography Program Manager, “Riders will encounter a mix of gravel and pavement, rural and urban, forest and sea, all while experiencing the cultures, languages, and foods that make Vancouver one of North America’s most ethnically diverse cities.”

The ferry takes riders from Vancouver to the mainland, allowing for extensive coastal riding. Riders will pass through rich wetlands and, on another ferry, reach the shipyard district. They will also come across old-growth Douglas Firs. Venturing further south, cyclists will encounter “Hatley Castle [which] stands surrounded by manicured lawns, Japanese gardens, and imported plantings.”

Last Thoughts

The Vancouver Crossing Loop is a unique way to experience the diverse landscape around Vancouver. 314 miles is a big ride, so I’d say you would probably need two or three days to cover it all, maybe more if you stop and take it in the scenery.

Since the loop is in close proximity to Vancouver, there are probably hotels or bed and breakfasts along the way or close by, or you might also be able to camp if you don’t mind loading up your bike with panniers. This sounds like a wonderful adventure for the cyclist who wants to explore one of the most beautiful areas of the Northwest.