Port Alberni, British Columbia

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...

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...

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...

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...

Access to Triple Peak mountain is found via the Marion Creek Main logging road approximately 48km west of Port Alberni on your left hand side along highway #4 headed towards Tofino. The road can present seasonal challenges and is rough so best to have a high clearance and 4x4 capable vehicle if p...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 biodiversit...

For a mid week adventure that is closer to home, nothing beats a climb up the stairs at Goose Spit Regional Park. The Goose Spit stairs are a fantastic addition to the Comox Valley's urban playgrounds, beaches, trails and green spaces. There are 165 steps to the main lookout, with an additional 2...

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 next time you have the opportunity, I recommend you pay Century Sam Lake a visit. This short day hike complete with a spectacular emerald green lake, towering rock cliffs and summer snow caves make this a 'must do' for mid Island adventurers. This day hike is a well kept secret – and often...

Mixing of sea and river waters at the Courtenay River Estuary means its an abundant place for wildlife. Coupled with incredible views of the Comox Glacier to the west, it's no wonder this is a popular spot to paddle in the small island town of Courtenay.  Head over to Comox Valley Kayaks and Cano...

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...

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,...

Trail access begins at the end of Forbidden Plateau Road, at the site of the old abandoned ski lodge. It is an ugly place to begin a hike to such a beautiful summit, but do not let that deter you. Past the trash of forest parties, around the remnants of the old ski lodge and over the washed out r...