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Nanaimo, British Columbia

Top Spots in and near Nanaimo

  • Nanaimo, British Columbia

    Catch a Sunset at Sugarloaf Mountain

    You can easily put Sugarloaf Mountain Park into your GPS when in Nanaimo, but lets, just say you have an old school map. First make your way from the Island Highway onto Departure Bay Rd. Just before you get to Hammond Bay Rd turn onto Little John Way and take your first left, then take your firs...
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  • Nanaimo, British Columbia

    Scramble Down to Nanaimo's Hidden Cove

    Firstly, use google maps to take you to Stephenson Rd in Nanaimo. About a mile down, the road forks, follow the left road (It says no exit, but the road just ends at a property so you will need to turn around to get back out). Continue down the road another half mile or so and you will see a smal...
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  • Nanaimo, British Columbia

    Hike to Ammonite Falls

    4.8
    2.69 mi / 558 ft gain
    The falls cascades off of a sheet of rock that is filled with Ammonite fossils, thus the name Ammonite Falls! The trailhead is very distinct and has a parking lot close to the start of the trail. From the Nanaimo Parkway (#19) head onto Jingle Pot Road. Follow that for a few kilometres and turn ...
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  • Nanoose Bay, British Columbia

    Hike to Bonnell Creek Falls

    5.0
    1.9 mi
    This trail isn't much to look at but it's all about the destination here as you will stumble upon scenic waterfalls nestled in the quiet Nanoose Bay area. Turn off the highway next onto Sea Blush Drive next to the Arlington Pub in Nanoose BC. Take your first right onto Sundew Place. Start your wa...
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  • Youbou, British Columbia

    Hike Green Mountain, BC

    3.0
    3.1 mi / 985 ft gain
    Green Mountain is located out in the Nanaimo Lakes area and used to be a ski hill back in the 60's. There was a lodge and even a t-bar to get you up the hill (both of which are nothing more than dilapidated remains now). The mountain's ski-based past becomes apparent as you hike up through countl...
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  • Errington, British Columbia

    Hike through Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

    4.3
    1.9 mi
    This is an easy 3 km or so hike that you can meander along and enjoy the lush greenery and the two waterfalls. The lower waterfalls is best viewed in the spring or winter. When summer comes the river gets lower and in turn that waterfall gets hard to see. Although, when the water levels are low y...
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  • Errington, British Columbia

    Hike to BC's Englishman River Falls

    1.9 mi
    Situated amid a quiet forest of both old and new growth Douglas firs, cedar, hemlock, and maple, the Englishman River Falls consist of two waterfalls which cascade into a deep canyon beneath a secluded bridge. Perfect for intermediate hikers, day-trippers, photographers and curious tourists, this...
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  • Parksville, British Columbia

    Catch a Sunset from Little Mountain Lookout

    3.5
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Amazing lookout just outside of Parksville, British Columbia. From Parksville, drive towards Coombs and turn left off of Bellevue Rd. Then take the left onto Little Mountain Road and drive to the top parking lot. You can park at the bottom of the hill and run up the steep incline in case your car...
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  • Parksville, British Columbia

    Explore Lasqueti Island

    15.5 mi / 754.6 ft gain
    Lasqueti Island is a beautiful island that covers about 75 square kilometres.  It is one of the drier islands in the strait, and has some of the warmest waters too. The shores are dotted with arbutus trees, and feral sheep run wild through the woods. The lack of car ferry and direct utilities kee...
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  • Duncan, British Columbia

    Mountain Bike Maple Mountain

    The Maple Mountain trail network has been enjoyed for countless years by hikers, but not until recently did the mountain receive the attention it deserved for mountain biking. Over the last few years the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society in conjunction with the approval of the local municipality...
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  • Sechelt, British Columbia

    Kayak Sechelt Inlet

    4.0
    Set off from Sechelt, a small seaside community on the Sunshine Coast - about two hours from Vancouver which is accessed by ferry or float plane.As soon as you start paddling from the harbour in Sechelt, the calm waters are so clear that starfish and other marine life are easily visible beneath t...
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  • Duncan, British Columbia

    Hike Mount Prevost

    3.0
    6.5 mi / 2473.8 ft gain
    Mt Prevost is a local favourite for hikers, mountain bikers and if you can believe even hang gliders. Most people know it for the large war memorial tower that is perched on the cliff edge, standing guard over the valley below.The big draw of Mt Prevost is easy access to a significant distance an...
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  • Sechelt, British Columbia

    Kayak the Sechelt Inlet

    The Sechelt Inlet provides the perfect place for an afternoon adventure or multi-day kayak trip. Kayaks and canoes can be rented from a number of outfitters in the Sechelt area, and many allow multi-day rentals for those keen paddlers.A great place to set off is from Porpoise Bay Provincial Park...
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  • Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

    Kayak Ganges Harbour

    5.0
    Salt spring island has plenty of amazing put in points for an afternoon of sea kayaking, but the ganges harbour is sheltered and easily accessible.For the put in points you have two options: The salt spring marina or churchill beach. Churchill beach would be the easier of the two with the added b...
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  • Youbou, British Columbia

    Hike Heather Mountain

    20.5 mi / 3822.2 ft gain
    Heather Mountain is a moderate well marked out and back hike through managed forest land. The hike brings a wonderful feeling of solitude as there are no towns or buildings visible even with distant views in all directions.  It is also quite lightly tracked: we saw no other hikers on the entire r...
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  • Bowen Island, British Columbia

    Hike Mount Gardner on Bowen Island

    10.6 mi / 2358.9 ft gain
    Mount Gardner is the highest point on Bowen Island. I love visiting Bowen. It is a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay but feels a world’s away from the city.  I climbed to the top of Mount Gardner a few years ago during the summer, but had yet to do it in the winter. I was excited to see wha...
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