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Nanaimo, British Columbia

Looking for the best chillin in Nanaimo? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Nanaimo. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Nanaimo

  • Vancouver, British Columbia

    Sunset Beach Park

    4.0
    This is a great place for families to relax at.  You can kayak or paddle the calm water.  There is a paved path running along the beach that is great for jogging, biking, and dog walking. Benches line the park and beach, making it easy to take breaks when needed.  This is also where a lot of ferr...
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  • Bowen Island, British Columbia

    Snowshoe to Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs

    5.6 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
    Eagle Bluffs is a perfect hike for anyone looking to get away but not too far from the city! Your trip will start by grabbing your (free) backcountry pass from the Black Mountain lodge in the lower parking lot at the top of cypress bowl road. This is not the main lodge (Cypress Creek Lodge), but ...
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  • West Vancouver, British Columbia

    Snowshoe to St. Mark's Summit

    1.0
    8 mi / 1500 ft gain
    If you are looking for the perfect snowshoe adventure you've found the right place. St. Marks is located on Cypress Mountain. It is more difficult than the nearby Hollyburn, and sometimes inaccessible due to heavy snow. For those two reasons makes it the most secluded hike just minutes from downt...
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  • Port Alberni, British Columbia

    Hike to Hole in the Wall

    4.3
    0.6 mi / 0 ft gain
    The Hole in The Wall is located just outside the city of Port Alberni, British Columbia. The day hike is easy enough to bring kids on the adventure, is dog friendly and offers a beautiful view of some of Port Alberni's history. Previous to the 1960's, the Hole In The Wall was the opening for a pi...
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  • Delta, British Columbia

    Take a Sunset Ride on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay Ferry

    4.0
    You can walk on or take your car on the ferry. Either way gets you to the same views. Make sure you sit on the right side of the boat (and it sometimes turns around once leaving the dock). Set up on the upper deck, and prepare yourself for an unbelievable show. Make sure you check out the onboard...
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  • Vancouver, British Columbia

    Photograph the Lions Gate Bridge

    3.7
    Park at the parking lot at Prospect point in Stanley Park to begin your photography adventure. The first photo opp is from the walkway on the Lions Gate, at about the middle of the bridge and looking to the left towards the Seawall. This is the perfect sunset spot.Once it gets dark, head to the b...
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  • Cowichan Valley F, British Columbia

    Camp at Nitinat Lake

    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...
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  • Denman Island, British Columbia

    Hike through Boyle Point Provincial Park

    5.0
    2.2 mi / 115 ft gain
    Boyle Point Provincial Park is located on Denman Island British Columbia Canada. To get there you take the Denman Island Ferry from Buckley Bay off Hwy #19A on central Vancouver Island. Take the Buckley Bay exit #101 from Hwy #19A. Once on the island, follow Denman Road to the Hornby Island Ferry...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Swim at the Lynn Canyon Swimming Hole

    4.5
    0.6 mi / 50 ft gain
    From the last field at inter city park, continue walking down the road to the Lynn Canyon trail. Follow the trail up the wooden boardwalks and to the first open area on the trail. When you can see the creek to your left, head down to the creek. To get to this particular swimming hole, you will ha...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Explore the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

    4.4
    Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge spans Lynn Canyon and is located near the popular Lynn Headwaters Park.  To get there, exit the Trans Canada Highway onto Lynn Valley Road.  Shortly after passing through the centre of the Lynn Valley community, turn right onto Peters Rd.  This road will turn into "P...
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  • Fanny Bay, British Columbia

    Rosewall Creek Falls

    4.3
    3.84 mi / 515 ft gain
    Starting at the Rosewall Creek Provincial Park parking lot you take the trail upstream of the creek passing under the inland island highway bridge. This trail eventually leads out of the provincial park boundary, but don't worry you haven't gone too far. It is about a 7 km roundtrip hike and the...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Bike the Seymour Valley Trailway & Old Growth Trail

    12.4 mi / 328.1 ft gain
    Head over to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve and hop on your two-wheeler to enjoy this stunning 20k ride.  Your ride will begin at the trailhead, where hikers walk off to rice lake. Stay off to the right, where there is an obvious bike path (2 paved lanes). This trail will take you ~11kms ...
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  • Delta, British Columbia

    Hiking through Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve

    1.9 mi
    As you begin your journey into Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve from the parking lot and small trail coming off of Westview Drive, notice the gravel trail ahead of you and across the train tracks that will take you into the bog itself and take a left. After spending a few minutes on the straight tr...
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  • Victoria, British Columbia

    Hike to Jocelyn Hill

    4.0
    5.75 mi / 1499 ft gain
    Gowlland Tod is a beautiful park, running along the Finlayson Arm fjord. Jocelyn hill is in the middle of the park, and can be accessed from the Caleb Pike access at the South end (along the Ridge trail) or from the McKenzie Bight access at the North end (along the Timberman trail). With planning...
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  • Denman Island, British Columbia

    Explore Fillongley Provincial Park

    4.0
    1.6 mi / 60 ft gain
    Fillongley Park is located on Denman Island. To get there take the Denman Island Ferry from Buckley Bay, off Hwy #19A on central Vancouver Island. Take the Buckley Bay exit #101 from Hwy #19A. Once on the island, follow Denman Road to Swan Road. Turn left on Swan Road, then right on Beadnell Road...
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  • Port Alberni, British Columbia

    Catch the Salmon Run on Vancouver Island

    There are many places to see the Salmon making their yearly return to spawning sites. This year while living on Vancouver Island I could not pass on the chance to marvel at this amazing sight. I decided to head to Stamp River to catch the run and was not disappointed, in fact it was so amazing I ...
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