Where is nanaimo bc

The trails are a favourite with local mountain bikers and various hiking clubs. Nanaimo boasts 23 mulched trails making up over 58 kilometres of paths. Seven locations of paved trails make up another 28 kilometres.

The kilometre Parkway Trailway winds alongside the Nanaimo Parkway, one of the most used trails in the city. Mountain Biking: Mountain bike enthusiasts accept the challenge of the Ultimate Abyss , perhaps the best-known trail on Vancouver Island because of its notorious technical challenge. At the outset, the trail follows a string of power lines. The entrance to the trail begins beside power tower Stay on the main trail and ignore all diversions.

Much easier riding is found nearby in the Westwood Lake area, reached by following Jinglepot Road and then Westwood Road west of the city centre. More demanding trails lead off from the north end of the lake along Westwood Ridge. As much as the ocean dominates the landscape near Nanaimo, there are several freshwater lakes where paddlers will find serenity in a rural setting. In comparison, Quennell Lake is nothing but bays. The action at both is a good excuse for some paddling and perhaps cutthroat trout fishing.

A short network of forested trails leads through the woods from the parking lot at Hemer Provincial Park to the west side of Holden Lake. Follow the signs a short distance east from Hwy 1 to reach Hemer Park. The lake has a boat launch and is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout, with best fishing from April to June and September to October.

Great hiking around Westwood Lake and up to Mount Benson. Petroglyph Provincial Park , at the south end of Nanaimo, where the Nanaimo River empties into Northumberland Channel, presents a look back in time to a prehistoric period perhaps a millennium ago.

Mythological creatures — sea wolves in particular — and symbolic designs have skillfully been outlined in the sandstone surface of the rock. Examples of this art form exist elsewhere in British Columbia, but rarely in such concentration as here. A short, wheelchair-accessible walkway leads from the parking lot on the east side of Hwy 1 to an interpretive display of concrete moulds taken from the nearby petroglyphs.

Visitors who would like to take away an example of this artwork can make rubbings on paper of the coffee-table-size moulds. The originals are just a short distance farther along the walkway on a hill that overlooks the Nanaimo harbour. Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park lies just a few hundred metres off Nanaimo Harbour, beckoning to visitors to pop over and explore.

The hectare park offers an island shoreline dominated by steep sandstone cliffs and ledges, punctuated by beaches. Caves and caverns exist along the shoreline and provide a marked contrast to the interior of the island, studded with Douglas fir, arbutus, Garry oak and dogwood trees. Every inch of the island has a story to tell. Pipers Lagoon Regional Park in Nanaimo has both a sheltered and an exposed side — take your pick of beaches on either one.

The lagoon drains so dry that at low tide you can wander out to nearby Shack Island. The eastern shore of the park faces the Strait of Georgia, where a stiff wind is often blowing. A forest of Garry oak predominate on the narrow headland that shelters the lagoon. Wildflowers are profuse here in springtime and attract Columbia black-tailed deer out onto the beach. Hunker down and watch the heroics as small boats battle their way towards the mouth of Departure Bay. If you like storm watching, this is a great vantage point.

To reach the park, from Hwy 19 take Departure Bay Road, which follows the natural arch of the coastline around the north arm of Departure Bay. Turn east onto Hammond Bay Road and watch for signs to the park.

The boat launch is at the end of Charlaine Road, one of two well-marked entrances to the park. Roberts Memorial Provincial Park is a hectare park 17 km southeast of Nanaimo near the coastal hamlet of Yellow Point. An atmosphere of transcendent serenity permeates the park. This peace is broken only by the barking of sea lions offshore and the mewling of sea gulls, great blue heron, and the occasional Pacific Loon. A peaceful walk through second-growth forest leads to a sandstone beach, a reward in itself.

Picnicking, swimming and fishing are pastimes enjoyed in this serene little haven. Wildlife: Spring and fall present remarkable opportunities to view birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway. Gabriola Island , known as Petroglyph Island because of its wealth of ancient stone carvings, lies 5km east of Nanaimo, reached by a minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo to the BC Ferries terminal at Descanso Bay.

In a pleasant rural setting of forested parks and quiet beaches, picturesque roads lead to sensational ocean views, and the sandstone shoreline can be walked almost indefinitely.

To the north of Nanaimo is the seaside community of Lantzville , once a small coal mining town. Modern day holidaymakers enjoy the mild climate, gentle shores and fine beaches. South of Nanaimo on the Island Highway is the spirited, picturesque community of Ladysmith , with streets lined with charming and restored heritage buildings. Further south, explore the mural-filled town of Chemainus , with its charming stores and restaurants and live performances at its popular theatre building.

British tradition abounds — take a ride on a double decker bus or horse driven carriage and enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel. The local landscape is defined by Mount Benson, which rises 1, metres 3, feet just west of Nanaimo, and the Nanaimo River estuary, the largest estuary on Vancouver Island, which flows into Nanaimo Harbour at the south end of the city.

How to get here. British Columbia has now entered Step 3 of the Restart Plan. Nanaimo is thrilled to invite our Canadian neighbours to exploreBCnow. Please travel responsibly: plan your trip in advance, and be adventure smart so you can explore our forests and waters safely.

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