One of my favourite places on the Island, Cumberland is known for their community forest, world-class mountain biking, extensive trail network and huge glacier-fed lake. We drove up pretty early through dramatic Island weather; one minute pouring rain, next minute sunny. Cumberland Lake Park is a popular spot in the summer, full of campers and …
This is a neat little park along a stream in Nanaimo. It’s accessed behind a plaza and I never would’ve guessed there was a forest here. Walk along the park and you pop out at Departure Bay – there’s a beach and access to ferry parking lot. Who knew? Lots of stairs.
Just north of Victoria, in the Cowichan Valley, Spectacle Lake Provincial Park is surrounded by mature forest and wetlands. There is a main beach, a short walk from the parking lot. I suggest following the trail around the lake (2.5km) to find your own private swimming spot off of the rocks. This 2.5km peaceful trail …
A few hundred metres off the shore of downtown Nanaimo is an island shoreline dominated by steep sandstone cliffs and sunny beaches. Saysutshun Newcastle Island Marine Park is a short 10-minute passenger ferry ride from Nanaimo. The island has an extensive network of trails leading to various historic points around the island. Walk or ride along …
Schooner Cove Trail is a beautiful out-and-back hike through the lush rainforest in Pacific Rim National Park. The series of stairs and boardwalks take you over streams and moss and fern covered forest floor. It is a spectacular green everywhere you look. Following the path through the forest, sounds of the ocean get louder and …
Adjacent to Clayoquot Sound, Kennedy Lake in the largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island. The park includes two sites along the south shore of the lake, located on Hwy 4, 8 km east of the Pacific Rim Hwy/Hwy 4 junction. The closest communities are Ucluelet and Tofino. One access spot is directly off of …
Located 15 minutes west of Port Alberni, Sproat Lake is a perfect spot for a swim and a walk. There are a numbr of short trails throughout the park with one leading to a panel of prehistoric petroglyphs. This lake gets busy in the summer with swimming, boating, waterskiing and fishing. It’s also the perfect …
This beautiful park is a popular family vacation spot on Vancouver Island. Walk along the 2km beach and through the old growth trees. There are drive-in campsites, group campsites, walk-in campsites and a large day use area with loads of picnic tables. At low tide, the ocean recedes almost one kilometre which makes it a …
