Port Alberni, British Columbia

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 loggin...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 i...

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...

These beautiful falls are just a short and easy 500 metre stroll from the parking lot, making this one of the more family-friendly hikes in the area. Located at the end of the trail are the 75 metre cascading falls and spectacular views of Buttle Lake.Located approximately 1 1/2 hours north of th...

If you are looking for a beautiful, stress-free campground nestled in the mountains far from the city but within a morning's drive and a day's walking distance, suitable for the whole family and offers tons of activities, Circlet Lake is the right choice for you. It features an alpine lake that i...

Starting at the Paradise Meadows Trailhead (3,600'), the trail to Moat Lake takes you through subalpine forest and lush meadows along Strathcona Provincial Park's Forbidden Plateau. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow as it winds past Lake Helen Mackenzie and onward past to the numerous l...

Seaview Game Farm, located on Vancouver Island between Courtenay and Campbell River is a prime jumping off point to paddle the Strait of Georgia and check out some of the best beaches the coast has to offer.  Located right on the beachfront, Seaview offers camping at RV sites but, for the best ex...

The hike starts at the Westmin mine parking lot, located 2 hours north of Courtenay. To find the start of the trail you need to walk 50 metres down a dirt road from the parking area. You will see a sign for Phillips ridge, which marks the start of your journey.The trail starts in a relatively fl...

Very few people know about this hidden gem which makes it less crowded and all the more special. The views and serenity that this place possess are what will really draw you in. The hike starts at the Westmin Mine parking lot, located 2 hours north of Courtenay. To find the start of the trailhea...

Park at the well marked parking lot off of the Pacific Rim Highway (4) about 16 kilometres south of Tofino. Start off on a relatively easy two kilometre trail. The scenic hike wanders through lush rainforest before arriving at a spectacular beachfront area. You will pass giant cedars, a number ...

Tofino, British Columbia, is magical. It sits on the most western coast of Canada, on Vancouver Island. It is a small surf town, with natural Pacific Northwest beauty everywhere.....ocean, beaches, forests, islands. and the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park.I personally like surfing Cox Bay bec...

Cox Bay is best known for its surf, but for an incredible view with minimal effort, scramble your way through the forested hills on the southern end of beach to let sunset soak in. From the northern end of the beach near the parking lots/access trail, walk 1.5km south until the beach turns into f...

You can park at the public beach parking at Cox Bay Beach Resort and make your way out on to the beach. Once you are on the beach, head north until you get to the "Sunset Point" trail sign. The trail walks through the woods for ~100m until you join up with a boardwalk that takes you out to the po...