Vancouver Island has some of
THE TOP HIKING IN THE WORLD
At 460 kilometres (290 mi) in length, 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width at its widest point, and 32,134 km2 (12,407 sq mi) in area, Vancouver Island has many lakes, rivers, mountain regions and ocean to make years of hiking available here. Below we have listed the top 5 hikes in each category.
Top 5 short distance hikes
(1-2 hours total)
Wild Pacific Trail
The Wild pacific trail is one of Vancouver Island’s prettiest trails and you can hike one section which is about 45mins or do the whole trail which is about 8 km long. Read More…
Chesterman Beach
Rated as one of the top 25 beaches in North America, it has much more to offer than white sand and waves. Chesterman Beach is a beautiful scenic pathway that must be experienced. Read More…
Tonquin Beach
A small scenic beach that doesn’t get as much traffic as other beaches in the Pacific Rim, partially because the surrounding protected water makes for small waves keeping the surfing crowd in other locations. Read More…
Dallas Rd, Victoria
There is often lots going on here with kite boarders, parasailers and water craft dotted along parts of the trail, especially near James Bay. It is a favourite local exercise trail and you will pass many joggers here. Read More…
Nanaimo Harbour Walk
Close to downtown, the Harbour Walk has a beautiful stone walkway around a park, sea planes, a fountain, and a marina. In the distance you can see Newcastle Island, another marina looking north and BC Ferries which comes through every two hours. Read More…
Top 5 Medium Hikes
(2-6 hours)
Mt Arrowsmith
This hike will let you know if you are in shape, but the reward at the top of the mountain is totally worth it. You will take in views of lakes, mountain ranges, the east side of Vancouver Island as well as the Port Alberni Inlet. Read More…
Wild Pacific Trail
There are two sections to this trail and that is why it is listed as the #1 short hike. The second section is also spectacular and worth taking the time to hike. It is an easy hike along the coastal region of the Pacific Rim. Read More…
Paradise Meadows
Part of the Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Park, Paradise Meadows is the entry region to the popular Mt Albert-Edward hike along with the other mountains in the region. This hike is very scenic and will wet your appetite for the longer overnight hikes available here. Read More…
Mt Ozzard
Only a few miles from the Wild Pacific Trail, Mt Ozzard is a nice hike up a narrow paved road servicing the Coast Guard radar dome for the whole region. You will see much of Barkley Sound, the Ucluelet inlet and the coast region. Read More…
Thetis Lake
Just north of Victoria, Thetis Lake has a popular beach as well as cliffs for summer swimming. It is also the entrance to a large trail system around the Lake and up to a few of the mountains in the region. Read More…
West Coast Trail
This popular hike has been challenging hikers for decades. With a limit of 30 overnight hikers per day at each end of the trail, this 75 km (45 mile) trail hike should be reserved in advance. Read More…
Nootka Island Trail
If you are looking for a place with less foot traffic than the West Coast Trail, this place is for you. It is harder to get to which is one of the reasons there is less foot traffic, but for people looking to be in a very remote place, this is it. This trail is 35km (22 miles) long and mostly along the ocean. Read More…
Juan De Fuca Trail
Just south of the West Coast Trail, this 47 km trail has similar scenery running through sandy beaches, rainforest and sometimes muddy stretches similar to the West Coast Trail.Read More…
Mt Albert Edward
The tallest mountain in the beautiful Forbidden Plateau region, this hike gives you majestic views. You will pass small lakes on the way to the summit and many also include a few other summits that are very close by. Read More…
Elk River Trail
You will follow a river all the way to Landslide Lake at the foot of Mt Colonel Foster. The East Face above Landslide lake has a drop of close to 1,300 metres (4,300 ft), longer than that of El Capitan in Yosemite, making it one of the tallest continuous mountain faces in the world. On June 23, 1946, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake centered to the east of Strathcona Park, caused a slide which resulted in 1.5 million cubic metres (53 million cubic feet) of rock, about half of which found its way to Landslide Lake below. You can stop at Landslide Lake, go further to Iceberg Lake or continue and summit
Mt Colonel Foster. Read More…