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Nanaimo, British Columbia

Looking for the best photography 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 Photography Spots in and near Nanaimo

  • Friday Harbor, Washington

    Hike to Lovers Leap on Stuart Island

    5 mi / 200 ft gain
    This hike is only doable if you are already on Stuart Island! There is no public transportation to Stuart Island, so you must already be there or have a plan to be there in order to complete this hike.I frequent this island during the summer months and it is one of my favorites. I always stay in ...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Hike to Mystery Lake

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 492.1 ft gain
    From the Mt. Seymour ski area parking lot, head towards the Mystery Peak Express. Once you have passed the base of the Mystery Peak Express, you will continue up the trail to your left (right goes to dog mountain, straight to the 3 peaks of Seymour). Follow the trail all the way up to the lake. T...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Hike Mount Seymour to First Peak

    4.0
    The elevation gain to first peak is approximately 451m and is about 9km.There are several ways to get to the top, each trail is marked well. One way is to follow the ski run up to brockton point and then take the turn off to Mount Seymour. Do not follow the Elsay Lake trail as it's signifciantly ...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Hike and Camp on Mt. Seymour

    From the end of the parking lot next to the BC Parks sign board, walk towards the ski run and follow it uphill to a green sign on the left. The first trail goes to Dog Mountain, another scenic and shorter hike then Mount Seymour. Instead, follow the trail that heads uphill and parallel to the ski...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Snowshoe Dog Mountain

    2.7 mi / 328.1 ft gain
    A perfect way to get outside before or after work. Dog mountain is an easily accessible snowshoe trail that takes you up to the short peak from the Mt. Seymour parking lot. This is a perfect spot for sunrise or sunset photography, and you can catch great 360 views from the top. Start at the BC Pa...
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  • Belcarra, British Columbia

    Hike the Jug Island Trail

    4.7
    From the parking lot at Belcarra Regional Park, follow the Jug Island Trail. It is well marked and well walked so it's near impossible to wander off in the wrong direction! The beach near Jug Island is at the very tip of the peninsula and offers beautiful views of the Indian Arm and surrounding m...
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  • Port Renfrew, British Columbia

    Camp and Surf at Sombrio Beach

    5.0
    1 mi
    Heading west from Victoria, take the TransCanada Highway to Hwy 14. Continue past Sooke towards Port Renfrew. Look for the sign that reads Sombrio Beach Trailhead (approximately 45 minutes past Sooke) and take the left. Note that this dirt road can be incredibly rugged (aka full of potholes) and ...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Snowshoe Mt. Seymour to Tim Jones Peak

    5.6 mi / 1607.6 ft gain
    You'll see traction of all sorts in the Mt. Seymour area during Winter months, including: yak tracks, microspikes, crampons, snowshoes, skis (with and without skins), and my personal favourite, the magic carpet.The Mt. Seymour trail parallels the Seymour downhill ski area. It follows up and over...
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  • Belcarra, British Columbia

    Hike the Springboard Trail and Explore Woodhaven Swamp

    5.9 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
    From the parking lot at Woodhaven Swamp, head down the wooden steps to the lower path and then follow the path clockwise, passing over a small boardwalk bridge at the east end of the wetland. At the west side of the swamp, look out for a smaller trail that veers off on the left and follow that as...
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  • Surrey, British Columbia

    Catch a Sunset at Crescent Beach

    5.0
    Crescent beach is a great place to end your day, by taking some sunset pictures. It often lights up the sky and really pops with colour. It is best to park at the main parking lot near the pier and start from there. The beach walk from the pier to the end is just over a kilometre, so is very shor...
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  • Port Renfrew, British Columbia

    Hike the Botanical Beach and Botany Bay Loop

    2.2 mi
    The loop trail is a short 3.5km trail that is well maintained and open year round. There's negligible elevation gain and aside from the odd slippery section the trail is easily accessible for all ages and skill levels. It is definitely busy in the Spring and Summer months but is manageable in the...
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  • Port Renfrew, British Columbia

    Explore Botanical Beach

    5.0
    1 mi
    This is a gorgeous beach with so much going on. It's a quick walk from the parking lot (about .8 miles), or you can do the entire Botanical Beach Loop which is 3.5km. Go at low tide for amazing tidal pools and exploring caves if the tide is at its lowest. You can beach hop and climb up to some...
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  • Port Renfrew, British Columbia

    Hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

    5.0
    29.2 mi
    This is no walk on the beach. There are many ascents and descents that range from not so steep to hold on for your life as the mud cliff crumbles steep. You might think 200m of elevation gain isn't much, but it is a constant ascend and descend trail in the moderate-difficult sections.A high level...
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  • Powell River, British Columbia

    Backcountry Hike and Hut Camp the Northern Portion of the Sunshine Coast Trail

    31.1 mi / 3937 ft gain
    This adventure is a 50km backcountry hiking and camping trip and should not be attempted without prior backcountry experience.  It is recommended you attempt this trail in a group.  Below is a detailed description of how to get to the trail and your options for huts while on the trail:The Sunshin...
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  • Fanny Bay, British Columbia

    Visit the Great Central Lake Shoe Tree

    1.0
    Does your sole need heeling? If you can muster the feet you may just meet Old Mother Hubbard. To get there take Highway 4 / The Pacific Rim Highway west out of Port Alberni towards Tofino. After the second bridge, take your third right onto Central Lake Road approximately 5.3 miles. The Great Cen...
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  • Surrey, British Columbia

    Walk the 1001 Steps Trail

    2.0
    0.3 mi
    One of Surrey's hidden gems, head down to this short trail down a set of stairs that will take you to an uninhabited beach.The zig zagged steps take you down to the Birlington Rail Lines and you can walk along a trail to an opening under the tracks. Head to the beach from here where you will like...
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