Powell River, British Columbia

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...

This park is a great stop right on the side of highway 4 heading to or from the Tofino area. If you are heading to Tofino on Vancouver Island, this park is hard to miss. There are signs for it and easy parking on the side of the highway. There are two loop trails on either side of the highway, an...

The trail from Cameron Lake to the top of Mount Cokely (5302') provides the most ready access to the alpine on Southern Vancouver Island. The route is straightforward and non-technical, albeit physically challenging. Expect to spend 6-8+ hours if hiking the entire route described below (which we ...

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...

To get the the Della Falls trail head in Strathcona Park, you must cross Great Central Lake. This is a 45 km journey via either canoe, kayak, or speedboat. We chose to canoe, and it took approximately 9 steady hours. We parked our vehicles just on the edge of Central Lake Road across from Great C...

The starting point depends a lot on the time of year and snow level. On a bad snow year you can get all the way to the old ski area base. Depending on the road conditions, however, be prepared to snowshoe/skin in anywhere from an extra 3 to 5 km (2-3 mi). The Rousseau Chute route is an alternativ...

Mt. Arrowmsith's claim to fame is the tallest mountain on "southern" Vancouver Island. Standing at 1,819 m (6,000 ft), it barely squeezes into the top 50 of the Island, as it stands no chance against the peaks of Strathcona, which you can see gazing north from the summit!The advantage of Arrowsmi...

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...

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...

Mount Arrowsmith resides in the heart of Vancouver Island between Nanaimo and Tofino within the Alberni Valley region. At the height of 1817m this peak boasts being the tallest point on the southern half of the island. With it's easy access it is surely the most visited and summited mountain on t...

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...

Though the Meadows can be reached by an alternate (very long) route not requiring a boat, the standard access is had by crossing Buttle Lake from the Augerpoint Day Area parking lot on the Buttle Lake Parkway (turn south towards the Westmin mine at the Buttle Lake bridge, just before the provinci...

I have lived on Vancouver Island my entire life yet I had never heard about this world class trail until last summer.  A 24km point to point coastal trail that travels the length of the Alberni Inlet from the coast right to the town? Through paradise meadows, along sun drenched bluffs, past water...

With a name like Flower Ridge, who wouldn't want to add this hike to their bucket list?The Flower Ridge trailhead is located approximately 26kms down the Buttle Lake Parkway, towards Westmin Mine, in Strathcona Provincial Park. A classic Island alpine approach, you will be more than warmed up af...

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...