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 200 metres of steep trail climbing above, making Goose Spit the Comox Valley's stairway to heaven. The views from the top can't be beat. After only a few minutes of climbing, you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the sandy Spit, the Comox Harbour, nearby Hornby and Denman Islands, the Comox Glacier and the wild Beaufort mountain range to the west. Continue to the top of the upper trail and the views get even bigger. The higher you climb, the more 'breathtaking' the vista.

Goose Spit Regional Park is a unique land form, located at the end of Hawkins Road, just a few minutes from the main street of the town of Comox. The Spit itself is flexible and shaped by the movement of sand from Willemar Bluffs, by wind, water and currents each year. This sandy spit, together with Gartley Point, creates the Comox Harbour as well as a calm inner lagoon. This lagoon provides shelter for many migratory and resident birds and the area is home to a number of blue and red listed Provincial plants and animals.

Stair climbing is just one of many awesome things to do in this regional park. Walk the entire perimeter of the Spit and visit the Valley's 'Little Hawaii', complete with white sandy beaches and summer tiki huts. Kite board in the protection of the lagoon on the leeward side of the Spit, or take on the waves on the wild, windward side. SUP or kayak the clear blue waters around the Spit, looking for sand dollars and seals. Spend the evening with friends around one of the designated beach fire rings spinning tales of summer. Get up early and start your day off right with a beautiful beach sunrise run. Put on your rain gear and battle it out with the winds during one of the Valley's epic winter storms.

Any season, anytime, Goose Spit Regional Park is one of the best places to enjoy mother nature, right in the heart of the Comox Valley.

For more information visit the Comox Valley Regional District Parks website. Some things to keep in mind:

• Park is open from 5am -11pm
• Fires are only permitted in designated fire rings from May 1-Labour Day.
• Dogs must be leashed March 1-May 20th during the Brant geese migration
• As always, practice the 7 Leave No Trace Principles no matter where you are playing in nature.

Happy Trails!