Best Motorcycle Roads
Near Vancouver

If Sea to Sky is BC's best road, Duffey Lake is its best-kept secret. Running from Pemberton through Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and over three mountain passes to Lillooet, it's 99km of technical alpine riding with turquoise lakes, 2,000m+ elevation, and almost no traffic. Usually open June–October depending on snowpack. Do it as a loop with Sea to Sky for a full-day legendary circuit.

A 32km road that runs east from Chilliwack into the Cascade Mountains, ending at a deep glacial lake surrounded by old-growth forest. The road is two-lane, well-maintained, and quiet — minimal traffic, good surface, flowing corners through the river valley. Fall colours in September and October are exceptional. Easy pace, zero stress, outstanding scenery. Great for newer riders or a mellow day.

Technically not accessible by road — you take the BC Ferries Horseshoe Bay to Langdale crossing (45 minutes), then ride up the Sunshine Coast. The road winds along the coastline past Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Garden Bay to Earls Cove where another ferry takes you further (or you turn around). Open water views, ocean air, and a completely different pace from the mountain routes. Low traffic, easy riding.

A satisfying half-day loop through the Fraser Valley farm country that opens into the mountains at Harrison Lake. The run north from Mission through Dewdney and Deroche gives you flat farmland sweepers before the valley tightens heading into Harrison. Lakeshore drive around Harrison is quiet and beautiful. Return via Agassiz and Hwy 1. Stop at the Harrison Hot Springs resort for a soak mid-ride if you're doing a full day.

The back road between Squamish and Pemberton that runs parallel to Sea to Sky on the east side of the valley. Significantly less traffic, more technical, and passes through Callaghan Valley and the meadows south of Whistler. A favourite among local riders who want the scenery without the tourist traffic on BC-99. Add it as a return leg to any Sea to Sky day trip.

Adventure riders only. The Hurley Forest Service Road from Pemberton over the mountains to Gold Bridge and Lillooet is 130km of mostly gravel and dirt road through mining country at 1,500m+ elevation. The scenery is otherworldly — high alpine lakes, gold rush history, and zero other traffic for hours. Combine with Duffey Lake Road for a legendary two-day loop. Not recommended without an adventure or dual-sport bike and camping gear.

The best accessible loop from Vancouver for a 2-hour ride without significant mountain driving. Take the Port Mann Bridge east to Maple Ridge, ride Lougheed Highway along the Fraser River through Mission, cross to Abbotsford on the Mission Bridge, and return via Hwy 1. Flat, flowing, and passes through several small farm towns with good coffee stops. Low consequence, good for riding during wet season.

Not a destination ride — a 25-minute escape from the city. Seymour Valley Trailway (open to motorcycles on certain sections) and the surrounding roads through the Seymour watershed give you dense second-growth forest, a reservoir, and almost no traffic, all within 20 minutes of downtown Vancouver. Good for an evening after work when you need 30 minutes of decompression on two wheels.

The only urban ride on the list, and the only one that'll have a waiting cyclist photographing your bike. The Stanley Park Causeway into the park and the scenic drive around the seawall gives you views of English Bay, the North Shore mountains, Lions Gate Bridge, and downtown skyline — all in 15 minutes. A warmup loop before a bigger ride, or a sunset run when you have 30 minutes. Every Vancouver rider should know this loop.