A real tree-t! - We had a great time on the tour - it really flew by, and we learned so much about trees and natural history, as well as the cultural and social history of Stanley Park and Vancouver. Colin was a friendly, informative guide and a great storyteller - we saw a whole different side of Vancouver and learned why protecting their ancient trees is so important. Really recommend!

GREAT TOUR - Learning about the intricacies of the finding and protecting of ancient trees Colin our guide a strong advocate of their protection went into detail of the ECO system and how nature auto preserves itself with the use of fallen trees, truly amazing.

A nature lover's dream - A very enjoyable tour with a very knowledgeable guide. It was surprising to find such a serene place so close to the bustling City. I have a new found appreciation for ancient trees!

A Phenomenal Walking Tour in Stanley Park - My partner and I came upon the Ancient Trees of Vancouver Walking Tour quite by chance – on Instagram, of all places. Being lovers of the outdoors, and always open to enjoying some forest therapy, we decided to check this tour out. Like so many reviews before this one, we were not disappointed! Colin Spratt, the creator of the tour and our knowledgeable guide, masterfully combined history, ecology, botany, anthropology, environmentalism, and his own love of the forest to weave a fascinating tale that takes the avid listener from pre-colonial times to the present. In doing so, Colin helps you gain an even greater appreciation for the forest, its old growth giants, and why they remain so important for us and our own survival. The best part? All of this information is presented in a form that’s easily digestible – like having a casual conversation – as you stroll through Stanley Park looking at old maps, historic photos and, of course, the ancient trees you’ve come to see. It takes a special person to convey such information in a way that is appealing and understandable to all over the course of 3+ hours, and Colin does this with ease. I don’t want to spoil too much of the tour; so, I’ll only mention a few highlights that really caught my attention: First, the meeting place near Third Beach. It’s a little out of the way, but the choice is deliberate. Yes, you can use the washroom and get some snacks, but there’s also a giant – right here – that often gets overlooked: The largest known alder tree in BC. While not as impressive as giant cedars or douglas firs, the alder is noteworthy for its species. Second, Stanley Park’s famed “Hollow Tree” (see my earlier review on this site). It is, as Colin says, the most “touristy” part of the experience, but people still love to see it. Third, Canada’s largest known Maple tree – such an impressive sight and really helps to put everything into perspective. To quote an earlier review, these trees are “awe-inspiring.” In short, the tour is one that every visitor should add to their itinerary. You’ll learn a lot; you’ll get to walk amongst old growth giants; and, you can smile knowing you’re contributing to a worthwhile cause because a portion of ticket sales go towards tree conservation. Thank you!

Amazing tour! - Our tour with Colin walking through the forest in Stanley Park was amazing. He has so much knowledge to share and he does so in such a compelling and interesting way. We could have spent another three hours with him!

Magnificent and majestic - What an amazing time we had with Colin! So knowledgeable, entertaining and interesting. The trees are truly spectacular; very humbling when you get to touch something so ancient, that has lived through so much history. The morning just flew by and we could have listened for many more hours. Thank you, Colin for your passion and dedication to these magnificent trees. The Mitchell family.

Could not recommend this tour more! - Such a fantastic tour! The guide Colin is so knowledgeable and passionate about his work to protect ancient trees. I loved Stanley Park before this tour but now have even more of an appreciation to walk amongst some of oldest and largest trees in the world right in our backyard in Vancouver. I would highly recommend this to both locals and tourists coming to see one of the most special parts of this area of the world.

Entertaining and informative - Fascinating tour of some really old and beautiful trees from a guide with deep understanding of trees and ecology and passion for conservation.

Highly recommended - It was one of the best tour we ever had. He is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about this topic and his 3 hours tour and presentation didn’t make us board at all instead I felt inspired at the end of the tour. He answered all our cultural and scientific questions. Thank you and good luck!

Fantastic tour if you love learning - I learned so much on this tour! Colin is truly passionate about what he does and his broad range of knowledge shows. He taught us about the origins of Vancouver and how it directly led to the current state of the remaining trees, as well as showing us some pretty amazing parts of Stanley Park that most people don't bother going to. All in all, highly recommend, especially if you are a geek at heart.