Gibsons: Coastal Trails, Art and History

Gibsons combines its location on Howe Sound with coastal trails, forested paths and distinctive local stories. The town sits on a hillside at the southwest corner of Howe Sound, overlooking several small islands. Along the waterfront, on paths through forest and pond landscapes, and through its art and local history, Gibsons reveals different sides of itself.

Discover Lower Gibsons by the Water

The Gibsons Heritage Walk passes through the working harbour. Another way to explore the waterfront is the Seawalk in Lower Gibsons, which follows the coastline from Armours Beach to the Gibsons Public Market. Armours Beach is used for swimming in summer and has accessible washrooms, an outdoor shower and picnic areas. If you would like to combine time by the water with a break at the beach, these details can help you plan your day.

The self-guided “Walk on Water Interpretive Tour” offers a different focus. It visits seven distinct sites in the Town of Gibsons. At each stop, the tour explains the site’s significance and its relationship to the Gibsons Aquifer. You can explore several places at your own pace while learning about the aquifer, the tour’s central theme.

Stories and Art Around Town

A well-known piece of television history is Molly’s Reach: the building was constructed in 1936 and was a frequent filming location for the series “The Beachcombers.” Winegarden Park has a different historical connection: in 1900, it was the site of the Le-Page glue factory. These different stories offer insights into local history without reducing Gibsons to a single era or subject.

The Public Art Path runs through the business district and along the waterfront in Lower Gibsons. Among the artworks featured is “The Landing Eye” by Janine Dunn, an interactive, life-size sculpture made from reused, weathered logs combined with welded marine-grade aluminum. The Gibsons Public Art Gallery is housed in the former Bank of Montreal building. At the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, you can explore two floors of exhibits.

Another art stop is “Macro Forest Images” by Alan Sirulnikoff: the work features eight photographic close-ups of animals and plants from local forests. In August 2022, it was installed at the Inglis Trail as a gallery in the trees at the head of a forest path. For travellers interested in both art and nature, it adds a forest-focused perspective to the art found around town.

Forest Trails and Getting Between Neighbourhoods

The landscapes along the trails vary. The White Tower Trail offers easy access to flat, forested multi-use paths, boardwalks and pond landscapes. The Parkland Trail is a walking path that runs partly through a forested area and alongside a berm and a pond. If you would rather explore a route between neighbourhoods, the forested Inglis Trail connects Upper Gibsons and Lower Gibsons.

The Gibsons Connector also links Lower Gibsons and Upper Gibsons. It includes a low-gradient multi-use path, an at-grade bike lane and a separated sidewalk. These different routes give you the flexibility to plan your exploration of the neighbourhoods around your day.

Getting Here and Nearby Places

For many travellers, Gibsons is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The ferry from West Vancouver, departing from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal and arriving at the Langdale Ferry Terminal, takes about 40 minutes. If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Gibsons, you can also explore Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Sechelt.

For the broader travel overview: Sunshine Coast.