Suspension bridges in picturesque parts of the world attract hundreds of thousands of tourists: the Capilano Bridge in Vancouver, Canada is no exception. The bridge got its name in honor of the river through which it runs. The bridge is surrounded by untouched nature: centuries-old forests, mountains, seething water below. It is definitely worth seeing if you are traveling in Canada - Vancouver residents advise starting their acquaintance with their city from this particular place: over the years of its existence, a whole amusement park has appeared here, maintained and developed by tourists buying tickets.
Bridge history
Initially, the bridge was created to facilitate the path to the local sawmill, located on the other side of the canyon. The original structure was built in 1889 and consisted of wooden boards and rope. The bridge has always been private and has changed several owners, simultaneously changing its appearance:
- In 1903, its construction was reinforced with a core cable.
- In 1910, 1935 and 1945 the bridge changed owners three times
- In 1956, the bridge was literally rebuilt
- In 1983, it was bought by Nancy Stibbar: she decided to ennoble the adjacent park and create a number of entertainments in order to increase the interest of tourists to this object.
In the park of Capilano there is a museum telling the centuries-old history of the bridge, there is a totem park where sculptures made by Indian tribes are placed, a workshop is opened where tourists can learn how to carve wood.
Capilano Park Feature
Today it is one of the brightest sights of the region and Canada as a whole: its length is 136 meters, its height is 70 meters. The cost of visiting the bridge is 32 CAD $ for an adult, 20 CAD $ for a child 13-16 years old, 12 CAD $ for children 6-12 years old: younger tourists can cross the bridge for free, and the price includes passing the bridge and visiting all the attractions. Visiting Capilano for children under 12 years old is allowed exclusively with an adult. Capilano Park offers several attractions, 2 of which stand out: Treetops (2004) and Cliffwalk (2011).
Treetops adventure
In literal translation, the attraction means “tops of trees”: these are seven bridges made of wood and connecting the tops of firs, whose height is 200 meters. During the attraction, people like squirrels move through the trees, listening in the process of the story of the forest, trees and the park. This is the most popular entertainment in the park of Capilano: it is interesting for both adults and children!
Cliffwalk
The second adventure translates as “a walk in the rocks”: these are artificial paths at an altitude of up to 70 meters, connected to the cliffs of the park. The tracks are made of wood, and in some parts of glass, which adds adrenaline. The width of the bridges is only 0.5 meters, the length of the route is 230 meters: the most daring tourists can pass it. There are signs on the tracks with stories about the importance of water in nature: they help distract from fear and go all the way to the end.
Other objects
The park has cafes and restaurants with viewing platforms along the river, where you can buy souvenirs reminiscent of a trip. For young visitors in the park there is a children's attraction quest: it starts and ends in a treehouse. The quest route starts from there: the children need to find the answer to a number of puzzles on the forest ecosystem. The adventure is exciting, interesting and informative.
Interesting Facts
- In the summer, birds of prey (falcons, hawks) drop in the park: park staff will tell amazing stories about these forest inhabitants.
- Extreme lovers who prefer walking along the bridge, rocking it, appeared in the first months of the object’s existence.
- Over 800,000 tourists pass the Capilano Bridge every year.
- From December to January, light shows are organized in the park (daily at 16:00).
- The construction of the bridge will withstand 96 elephants.
Object refers to bridges.
