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 EXPLORE BOWEN ISLAND, BC
BY BIKE!

A Guide Book

By Outdoor Therapy
www.outdoortherapy.ca

Copyright 2018 Outdoor Therapy

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Disclaimer:  All information presented in this guide is for informational purposes only. Outdoor Therapy does not bear any liability for the information
presented here. All outdoor activities involve a certain element of risk and weather, and other forces may change trail routing and conditions. The
information presented here is meant to serve as a guide only. It is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user of this information to determine which
activities are appropriate to her skills and fitness levels and it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user to be aware of changes and hazards that
may have occurred since the publishing of this material.
Table of Contents CLICKABLE!

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Bowen bike routes at a glance map ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…6

Route details at a glance table ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….….7

Snug Cove to Galbraith Bay………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….8

Snug Cove to Tunstall Bay…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……10

Snug Cove to Hood Point…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..12

Snug Cove to Roger Curtis………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………14

Snug Cove to Bluewater………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………..16

Snug Cove to Seymour Bay…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………….18

INTRODUCTION

If you’re looking for an outstanding day trip from Vancouver that includes a ferry ride and stunning views of Howe Sound,
then a visit to Bowen Island should be at the top of your list.

The island itself is small and tranquil with an overall area of 52 square kilometres. This manageable size makes most areas
of the island accessible by bicycle.

Getting there

A short 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver will bring you to Snug Cove on Bowen Island. BC
Ferries has regularly scheduled runs to Bowen so check the BC Ferries website for the latest schedule.

What to expect

All of the most common routes across the island originate from the ferry dock in Snug Cove.

It is worth keeping in mind that roads on Bowen are typically narrow, hilly, and winding with limited or no shoulder.

While traffic can be sparse and the speed limit for vehicles is a maximum of 40 km an hour, expect that there will be
periods of higher volume traffic (usually related to cars either going to or coming off the ferry).



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How to use this guide

This guide outlines six routes that will bring you to different corners of the island.

The Bowen Bike Routes At a Glance Map shows the six routes on a map of the island along with their return distances.

The Details At a Glance Table will give you the return distance, estimated difficulty, estimated time needed, elevation
gain/loss, highest point reached, maximum slope and the average slope for each ride.

Keep in mind that the degree of difficulty and time required are estimates only. Please consider your own fitness and
experience levels along with the information provided here to determine if a ride is appropriate for you.

The remainder of the guide highlights each of the routes.

For each of the six highlighted routes, you'll find:

• a map
• an elevation profile (worth noting because there are some steep sections on some of the
rides)
• details of the trip for each route.
• detailed directions
• a link to the route on Google Maps.

Happy Cycling!

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 Bowen Bike Routes at a Glance

CLICKABLE!

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 Route Details at a Glance

Distance Elevation
Estimated Highest Maximum Average
BIKE ROUTE (km) Difficulty Gain/Loss Season
Time Point (m) Slope (%) Slope (%)
RETURN (m)
SNUG COVE to
9.7 km Year
GALBRAITH Moderate 1-2 hours 289 m 71 m 18% 5%
return Round
BAY

SNUG COVE to
15.5 km Year
TUNSTALL Moderate 1-2 hours 427 m 168 m 30% 5%
return Round
BAY
SNUG COVE to 15.9 km Year
Moderate 1-2 hours 530 m 104 18% 5%
HOOD POINT return Round
SNUG COVE to
18.6 km Moderate/ Year
ROGER 2-3 hours 512 m 168 m 30% 5%
return Difficult Round
CURTIS
SNUG COVE
21.2 km Moderate/ Year
to 2-3 hours 601 m 168 m 22% 5%
return Difficult Round
BLUEWATER

SNUG COVE
22.4 km Moderate/ Year
to SEYMOUR 2-3 hours 785 m 277 m 26% 6.5%
return Difficult Round
BAY

CLICKABLE!

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 Click for a Google map of the route Snug Cove to Galbraith Bay - Government Dock
to Galbraith Bay
Snug Cove to the Government Dock is the shortest route in this guide,
clocking in at 9.7 km return. It is also arguably the easiest ride.

Don't be fooled into thinking there aren't challenging sections, you will still
Directions to Galbraith Bay - encounter slopes up to 18% and winding, hilly and narrow roads.
Mount Gardner Dock
When you get to the dock you can see the small Hutt Island directly in front
of you, Gambier Island off to the right and the Sunshine Coast off to the
distance on the left.
- Disembark the ferry
- Head west on Bowen Island
Trunk Road (the main road ) for
750m

- Stay right onto Mt. Gardner

Road. Go for 2.6km

- Slight left to stay on Mt. Gardner

Road. Go for 400m

- Turn left to stay on Mt. Gardner

Road. Go for 1.1km to get to the
dock.

GALBRAITH BAY - GOVERNMENT DOCK

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 Click for a Google map of the route Snug Cove to Tunstall Bay Beach
to Tunstall Bay
Tunstall Bay Beach is one of the most popular places to visit on the
island. It is a hilly 15.5 km return ride from Snug Cove.

While all routes on the island take you along hilly, winding and narrow
Directions to Tunstall Bay roads. The 30% slope that you encounter on the return ride is worth
noting!

- Disembark the ferry The beach time is worth it though. Tunstall Bay Beach faces west with views
of Pasley Island and the Sunshine Coast.
- Head west on Bowen Island Trunk
Road (the main road) for 750m

- Bowen Island Trunk road becomes

Grafton Road. Stay on this for
4.7km

- Turn right onto Adams Road (it is

still the main road). Follow this for
1.7km

- Stay left on Tunstall Blvd. Go for

1.3 km

- The road will take you right to the

beach

TUNSTALL BAY BEACH

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 Click for a Google map of the route
to Hood Point
Directions to Hood Point
- Disembark the ferry
Snug Cove to Hood Point
Snug Cove to Hood point is a scenic, hilly 15.9km return ride. While the
roads are winding and narrow, there is usually a bit less traffic on this
road than on the routes that take the main road across the island.
When you reach the end of the road, you'll be rewarded with stunning views
of Howe Sound and Gambier Island.

- Head west on Bowen Island If you need a little beach stop along the way, you pass public beach access
Trunk Road (the main road off the to Cates Bay Beach about 5.8km from Snug Cove.
ferry) for 400m

- At the 4-way junction, turn right

onto Miller Road. Go for 1.6km

- Turn left onto Scarborough Rd.

Go for 500m

- Turn left onto Eagle Cliff Rd. Go

for 3.5 km

- Turn left onto Finisterre Rd. Go

for 300m

- Turn left onto Smugglers Cove Rd.

Continue to the end of the road.

VIEW OF GAMBIER ISLAND AND HOWE SOUND FROM HOOD POINT

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 Click for a Google map of the route Snug Cove to Roger Curtis Beach
to Roger Curtis
Snug Cove to Roger Curtis is a solid ride, clocking in at 18.6km return. As
with all routes on the island expect narrow, winding and hilly roads.

The first part of the trip takes you south-west via the main cross-island route,
Directions to Roger Curtis
so expect some traffic. Car volume should peter off as you continue west.
- Disembark the ferry
When you eventually reach the end of Roger Curtis Lane you'll discover a
- Head west on Bowen Island Trunk
short path down to a secluded beach. The beach faces the west toward
Road (the main road) for 750m
Pasley Island and the Sunshine Coast.
- Bowen Island Trunk road becomes
Grafton Road. Stay on this for
4.7km

- Turn right onto Adams Road (it is

still the main road). Follow this for
1.7km

- Stay left on Tunstall Blvd. Go for

350m

- Turn left onto Whitesails Rd. Go

for 1.6km

- Turn right onto Cape Drive. Go for

550m

- Turn right onto Roger Curtis Lane.

Follow this to the end.

- There is a short path to the beach.

ROGER CURTIS BEACH

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 Click for a Google map of the route
to Bluewater
Directions to Bluewater
- Disembark the ferry
Snug Cove to Bluewater
Biking the 21.2km return to Bluewater from Snug Cove is a nice challenge.
Please note that there are some steep sections along this route with the
maximum slope topping out at 22%. The average grade is 5%.
As with all roads on Bowen Island, expect hilly, narrow and winding
sections with little to no shoulder.

- Head west on Bowen Island Trunk Along the way (at about 8.4km from Snug Cove) you’ll pass by Bowen Bay
Road (the main road) for 750m Beach. It is visible from the road and is a great place to stop and rest.

- Bowen Island Trunk road becomes

Grafton Road. Stay on this for
4.7km

- Turn right onto Adams Road (it is

still the main road). Follow this for
1.7km

- Turn right onto Bowen Bay Road

- Bowen Bay Road becomes
Windjammer Road.

- Follow this until you run out of road.

- Turn around, return to Snug Cove.

BOWEN BAY BEACH

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 Click for a Google map of the route
to Seymour Bay
Directions to Seymour Bay
- Disembark the ferry.
Snug Cove to Seymour Bay & Bowen Island Golf Club
This is the longest and steepest ride showcased in this book. While not a
dramatic challenge for a seasoned biker, it is a challenging trip for a novice.
This is a 22.4km return ride with an average slope of 6.5%. Expect some
good leg burn on the hills, especially on those with up to 26% grade.

- Head west on Bowen Island This ride brings you through the Bowen Island Golf Club to Seymour Bay
Trunk Road (the main road) for Beach. From here, you'll be able to see parts of Vancouver, The University
750m. of British Columbia and Cypress Mountain.

- Bowen Island Trunk road becomes

Grafton Road. Stay on this for
4.7km.

- Turn right onto Adams Road (it is

still the main road). Follow this for
1.3km.

- Turn left onto Sunset Road,

Sunset Road becomes Cowan
Point Drive. Go for 4.55 km.

- When you reach the end of Cowan

Point Drive (just after the road cuts
through the golf course). Go left
onto Beach Drive.

- Follow this to the end (about

600m), past the golf course
clubhouse to Seymour Beach.
SEYMOUR BAY LOOKING TOWARD CYPRESS MOUNTAIN

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 THANK YOU!
Thank you for taking the time to check out this guidebook.

I hope that it has made planning and choosing your outdoor adventure easier and
has provided some helpful information about cycling options on Bowen Island, BC.

Happy cycling,

Outdoor Therapy Team

Disclaimer:  All information presented in this guide is for informational purposes only. Outdoor Therapy does not bear any liability for the information
presented here. All outdoor activities involve a certain element of risk and weather, and other forces may change trail routing and conditions. The
information presented here is meant to serve as a guide only. It is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user of this information to determine which
activities are appropriate to her skills and fitness levels and it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user to be aware of changes and hazards that
may have occurred since the publishing of this material.

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