Alberni-Clayoquot A

Far on the west coast of Vancouver Island, accessed only by a harrowing dirt road, is a wild and rugged coast begging to be explored. Bamfield is about a 3 hour drive from Nanaimo, half of which is on the gnarliest (and most active) logging road I've ever been on - and I grew up driving on logging roads on Haida Gwaii. Let me tell you: it's worth it. I can't even count how many times I've made ...

The Broken Group Islands are an internationally acclaimed sea kayaking destination. They can only be done properly on a multi-day trip and it’s not recommended for novice paddlers. The stunning archipelago located on the west coast of Vancouver Island features hundreds of islands, lagoons, caves, blowholes, sandy beaches and peaceful bays.The best place to access the islands are from Sechart Lo...

On the island of West Bamfield, accessible only by foot and by taking a ferry from East Bamfield, itself only accessible via a 60 mile brutal dirt road from Port Alberni, is a taste of the free-wheeling, regulations-be-damned old-Vancouver-Island-made-manifest in an epic rope swing that hurls its riders through massive Douglas Firs set against a backdrop of the Broken Islands. To get there, onc...

Drive south west on Coast Guard drive to the parking lot for the wild coast trail to your left (where the pin is). Park in the parking lot, and head to the trailhead where the big sign board is. We completed the lower loop in approximately one hour, but you can continue up the coast all the way in to Ucluelet if you are so adventurous. This is a prime spot for winter storm watching as it is ver...

Nitinat Lake is located about 70 km from Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island. It's about a 2 h drive from Lake Cowichan with 1 h on logging roads. When you get close to Lake Cowichan, the highway splits into two possible routes, one on the south side of the lake, the second on the north side. Since the road to Nitinat is at the west end of the lake, it's pretty much a toss-up. Follow one of the r...

Lower Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake located on the Triple Peak Trail. The route to the lake is very steep and scrambling is involved, but is well worth the effort. When you come to the rise above the final ridge, the stunning Triple Peak and Lower Lake come into view.The hike starts down a very steep, root-filled forest trail and opens up to the smooth flowing Marion Creek. After crossing the ...

The Willowbrae trailhead is not marked along the Tofino Ucluelet highway and the turnoff is easy to miss. Driving from Tofino look for Willowbrae Road on the right hand side, 2 kilometers past the Port Alberni junction. From Ucluelet this road is on the left, 5 kilometers from town. Drive up this gravel road to the parking lot with a yellow barrier at the trailhead.The trail begins as a wi...

The mountains of the South Central Range of Vancouver Island that skirt Highway 4 leading to Tofino are often overlooked as in that region surfing is the big draw, while the larger peaks of Strathcona Peak call to others. I feel this spot is a true gem of the island, with unparalleled biodiversity and breathtaking views.Mackenzie Peak is the tallest point of the Mackenzie Range, a jagged ridgel...

The opportunity to travel deep into a region where ancient forests still stand, telling their story of centuries past, can't be overlooked. One of the last remaining areas of such beauty and rarity still exists deep in the heart of the southern interior on Vancouver Island. This spot is known as the Upper Walbran River watershed and what is referred to as Castle Grove, home to the last 4% of re...