Youbou, British Columbia
Top Spots in and near Youbou
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Youbou, British Columbia
Hike Heather Mountain
20.5 mi / 3822.2 ft gainHeather 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...Read more -
Youbou, British Columbia
Hike Green Mountain, BC
3.03.1 mi / 985 ft gainGreen 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...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Hike to the Red Creek Fir
I’m blessed with a husband who is crazy enough to agree to my endless adventures! When I suggested we go find the tallest Douglas Fir Tree in the world, and we happened to be in the area, my husband again said, “why not!”For anyone who just has to see it for themselves, here’s some directions:Fo...Read more -
Duncan, British Columbia
Hike Mount Prevost
3.06.5 mi / 2473.8 ft gainMt Prevost is a local favourite for hikers, mountain bikers and if you can believe even hang gliders. Most people know it for the large war memorial tower that is perched on the cliff edge, standing guard over the valley below.The big draw of Mt Prevost is easy access to a significant distance an...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Hiking through the Avatar Grove
To get to the Avatar Grove, drive to Port Renfrew along West Coast highway 14. Turn right onto Deering Rd and cross the long bridge over the San Juan River. Stay right at the next Y intersection, and then left at the T intersection. At the next Y keep left and cross a tall bridge over the crys...Read more -
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...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Backpacking the West Coast Trail
5.0The trail requires a permit from May 1 - September 16. All other dates have restrictions. Check Parks Canada website for more details.You can start from the north or south end of the trail. There are buses provided by the Pacific Rim National Park that will shuttle you back to your car or to the ...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Backpack the West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim NP
46.6 mi / 360.9 ft gainIn the summer of 2016, myself and three others decided to hike the West Coast Trail (WCT) on a bit of a whim! We naively, and courageously, choose the WCT as our first major backpacking hiking trip - we thought it would be best to throw ourselves into a hike that has earned a reputation for being...Read more -
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Hike to Ammonite Falls
4.82.69 mi / 558 ft gainThe 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 ...Read more -
Honeymoon Bay, British Columbia
Hike Castle Grove of the Upper Walbran River Valley
3.2 miThe opportunity to travel deep into a region where ancient forests still stand, telling their story of centuries past, can't be overlooked. One of the last remaining areas of such beauty and rarity still exists deep in the heart of the southern interior on Vancouver Island. This spot is known as ...Read more -
Duncan, British Columbia
Mountain Bike Maple Mountain
The Maple Mountain trail network has been enjoyed for countless years by hikers, but not until recently did the mountain receive the attention it deserved for mountain biking. Over the last few years the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society in conjunction with the approval of the local municipality...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Explore Botanical Beach
5.01 miThis 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...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Hike the Botanical Beach and Botany Bay Loop
2.2 miThe 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...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Sombrio Beach
5.00.82 mi / 131 ft gainHeading 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 ...Read more -
Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
5.029.2 miThis 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...Read more -
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Catch a Sunset at Sugarloaf Mountain
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...Read more