I am a west coast guy, I always will be. There are lots of good places to travel, but Vancouver Island is a great place to live. After living here most of my life I feel qualified to describe a few of my favourite places.
Nature and Adventure
1] Ammonite Falls – Nanaimo This is my favourite retreat spot. So close to the city, and yet wild and beautiful. Accessed upstream from Doumont Rd. or downstream from Jamieson Rd it is about a 30 minute hike each way. Take a friend, find directions online or take me along so you don’t get lost! Best visited in the fall where the flow is strong and the maple leaves are changing. If you are from Nanaimo and haven’t been, you must. Making the trip in heavy rain makes it more of an adventure.
2] Horne Lake Caves – Near Qualicum This is a great trip thats easy to do. Get a headlamp and some old clothes and you’re free to explore yourself without paying for a guide. There are several caves open to self tours. I get bored super easily and Horne lake was still adventurous for 5 trips or so. The last few involved arriving at the caves around midnight, and emerging to the light of dawn. Don’t get lost, do anything I would do, and don’t blame me if you get into trouble!
3]Upana Caves – Near Tahsis These caves are a long way out, but probably the most beautiful place I’ve been on the Island. Several caves to explore on your own. The highlight is the a waterfall emerging from the forest and then disappearing into a massive cave cavern. Don’t fall in.
4] Looper Creek Canyoneering – Near Nitinat Lake First time canyoneering, this is when you follow a creek from top to bottom through a canyon. Its not a walk down a stream bed, this requires cliff jumping, swimming, hiking, rappelling (but we just jumped them all). 50 ft walls on both sides means once you start it there is no getting out till the end. It is absolutely worth it, this canyon is breathtaking on a sunny day. Its also painfully cold in the middle of the summer, so don’t make our mistake, and take any form of wetsuit! You may want a 4×4 to take the logging roads out here, or at least a spare tire! Check this site for: Looper Creek Info and Photos.
5] Tofino A must see for anyone on the island, this is the real west coast meeting the pacific ocean. Its a great drive out with some nice stops on the way including Cathedral Grove.
6] Mt Washington Skiing and Snowboarding isn’t cheap, but this is the only island mountain and in my uneducated opinion its pretty good. Official Mt Washington Site.
7] Doumont Trails – Nanaimo Hike out to Ammonite, or cruise the mountain bike trails through the countless forest paths. Don’t plan on biking to ammonite, the trail down the canyon is very steep, following the creek up to the falls doesn’t really have a trail.
8] Mt Albert Edward – Accessed from Mt Washington In the summer this is a good hike from the Raven lodge. As one of the highest mountains on the island reaching the top is a respectable accomplishment. No technical climbing is required, but this isn’t a nice day trip. Circlet lake is a nice little camping area, we did the hike in 2 days.
9] West Coast Trail? I’ve never done this, or heard an actual account of it. I’m sure its nice, but at 4 days long, registration in advance, and a significant entrance fee its not exactly my kind of spur of the moment trip.
*Side note: if you get bored, many of these are more interesting if you buy a headlamp and do these trips at night. Except looper creek, cause you’ll probably die. Don’t go alone, take a friend and don’t be stupid cause I’m not taking any blame.
I am a west coast guy, I always will be. There are lots of good places to travel, but Vancouver Island is a great place to live. After living here most of my life I feel qualified to describe a few of my favourite places.
Nature and Adventure
1] Ammonite Falls – Nanaimo This is my favourite retreat spot. So close to the city, and yet wild and beautiful. Accessed upstream from Doumont Rd. or downstream from Jamieson Rd it is about a 30 minute hike each way. Take a friend, find directions online or take me along so you don’t get lost! Best visited in the fall where the flow is strong and the maple leaves are changing. If you are from Nanaimo and haven’t been, you must. Making the trip in heavy rain makes it more of an adventure.
2] Horne Lake Caves – Near Qualicum This is a great trip thats easy to do. Get a headlamp and some old clothes and you’re free to explore yourself without paying for a guide. There are several caves open to self tours. I get bored super easily and Horne lake was still adventurous for 5 trips or so. The last few involved arriving at the caves around midnight, and emerging to the light of dawn. Don’t get lost, do anything I would do, and don’t blame me if you get into trouble!
3] Upana Caves – Near Tahsis These caves are a long way out, but probably the most beautiful place I’ve been on the Island. Several caves to explore on your own. The highlight is the a waterfall emerging from the forest and then disappearing into a massive cave cavern. Don’t fall in.
4] Looper Creek Canyoneering – Near Nitinat Lake First time canyoneering, this is when you follow a creek from top to bottom through a canyon. Its not a walk down a stream bed, this requires cliff jumping, swimming, hiking, rappelling (but we just jumped them all). 50 ft walls on both sides means once you start it there is no getting out till the end. It is absolutely worth it, this canyon is breathtaking on a sunny day. Its also painfully cold in the middle of the summer, so don’t make our mistake, and take any form of wetsuit! You may want a 4×4 to take the logging roads out here, or at least a spare tire! Check this site for: Looper Creek Info and Photos.
5] Tofino A must see for anyone on the island, this is the real west coast meeting the pacific ocean. Its a great drive out with some nice stops on the way including Cathedral Grove.
6] Mt Washington Skiing and Snowboarding isn’t cheap, but this is the only island mountain and in my uneducated opinion its pretty good. Official Mt Washington Site.
7] Doumont Trails – Nanaimo Hike out to Ammonite, or cruise the mountain bike trails through the countless forest paths. Don’t plan on biking to ammonite, the trail down the canyon is very steep, following the creek up to the falls doesn’t really have a trail.
8] Mt Albert Edward – Accessed from Mt Washington In the summer this is a good hike from the Raven lodge. As one of the highest mountains on the island reaching the top is a respectable accomplishment. No technical climbing is required, but this isn’t a nice day trip. Circlet lake is a nice little camping area, we did the hike in 2 days.
9] West Coast Trail? I’ve never done this, or heard an actual account of it. I’m sure its nice, but at 4 days long, registration in advance, and a significant entrance fee its not exactly my kind of spur of the moment trip.
*Side note: if you get bored, many of these are more interesting if you buy a headlamp and do these trips at night. Except looper creek, cause you’ll probably die. Don’t go alone, take a friend and don’t be stupid cause I’m not taking any blame.