Nanaimo, British Columbia
Looking for the best hiking in Nanaimo? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Nanaimo. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Nanaimo
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West Vancouver, British Columbia
Explore Lighthouse Park
4.5To get to Lighthouse Park, head westbound along Marine Drive in West Vancouver. As Marine Drive continues past little shops and businesses, it will begin to narrow and the road will wind around the coastline. Continue past Caufield Cove Marina and watch for the Lighthouse Park sign on your left. ...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Explore WhyteCliff Park, West Vancouver
4.4Escape to the vanishing horizon of the Pacific Ocean, where time is measured by the rhythm of waves.Located near West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay neighbourhood, Whytecliff Park is home to more than 200 marine animal species and is one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada. You're almost gua...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Hike to Cypress Falls in West Vancouver
4.03.1 mi / 400 ft gainDrive the the end of Woodgreen Pl in West Vancouver, and you will pass the tennis courts on your right. You will see a little dirt road that heads up into the woods on your left - drive up this road ~30 feet into the parking lot. From the Parking lot, hike up the trail beside cypress creek (this ...Read more -
Nanaimo F, British Columbia
Cathedral Grove
4.51.6 miThis park is a great stop right on the side of highway 4 heading to or from the Tofino area. If you are heading to Tofino on Vancouver Island, this park is hard to miss. There are signs for it and easy parking on the side of the highway. There are two loop trails on either side of the highway, an...Read more -
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Hike Up Reginald Hill
1.2 mi / 771 ft gainFrom the Fulford ferry terminal, turn left onto Morningside Drive and follow the road to the end, where you’ll find a small area to park your car. From here, head up towards the subdivision and keep an eye out for the trail marker on your left, located 100m past the gate into Reginald Hills Estat...Read more -
Duncan, British Columbia
Explore the Kinsol Trestle
4.01.6 miThe Kinsol Trestle is a highlight of the Cowichan Valley Trail, which travels from Shawnigan Lake to Lake Cowichan and then onward to Duncan. The trestle is easily reached via a 1.3km, wheelchair accessible section of the CVT from the trailhead on Renfew Road. Originally built in 1911 for the r...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Snowshoe Hollyburn Mountain
5.06.5 mi / 450 ft gainPark in the Hollyburn cross country parking lot and start your hike up the under the powerlines. After about 15 mins the trail will flatten out and you will arrive at the warming hut. Take a left and follow the orange markers as it slowly weaves its way through a series of trees and valleys.Event...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Bowen Lookout
4.02.48 mi / 443 ft gainThe trailhead is located just off the Cypress Mountain lodge. It winds past old growth forest, and the Yew Lake Meadows. After passing these features the trail turns into a series of switchbacks, gaining the elevation in the last 850m of trail. Before you know it you are rewarded with a beautif...Read more -
Bowen Island, British Columbia
Hike Eagle Bluffs
5.05 mi / 1148.3 ft gainStart at the Cypress Mountain ski area and walk towards the first chairlift. You will see a giant sign showing the ski trails and you go to the right of that. You will then see a post that lists which direction to go for each hike.To start this trail, walk towards the previously mentioned chair ...Read more -
Bowen Island, British Columbia
Hike to Mt. Strachan
4.03.7 mi / 1804.5 ft gainOn November 23, 1963, the world was faltered by the news of John F. Kennedy’s assassination (the previous day). Vancouver was dealing with it's own tragedy; a military plane crash in the North Shore Mountains. The hike to Mt. Strachan gives you the opportunity to visit the crash site.The Mount St...Read more -
Bowen Island, British Columbia
Snowshoe to Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs
5.6 mi / 1312.3 ft gainEagle Bluffs is a perfect hike for anyone looking to get away but not too far from the city! Your trip will start by grabbing your (free) backcountry pass from the Black Mountain lodge in the lower parking lot at the top of cypress bowl road. This is not the main lodge (Cypress Creek Lodge), but ...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
St Mark's Summit
4.46.45 mi / 1801 ft gainFrom the Cypress Mountain downhill parking lot, head north toward the nearby chairlift and look for the Howe Sound Crest Trail sign. The trail follows alongside the several ski runs until a sign that points to the right to the Howe Sound Crest Trail. Follow this trail uphill until it merges onto ...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Hiking the Howe Sound Crest Trail
18 mi / 6000 ft gainDistance: 18 miles / 29 kms.Duration: 1 - 3 DaysElevation Gain: 6000 ft. / 1800 m.Magnesia Meadows: 49.483708, -123.190377The Howe Sound Crest Trail (HSCT) is one of the most epic hiking trips one can do in the Vancouver area. The trail is entirely located within the Cypress Mountain Provincial P...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Snowshoe to St. Mark's Summit
1.08 mi / 1500 ft gainIf you are looking for the perfect snowshoe adventure you've found the right place. St. Marks is located on Cypress Mountain. It is more difficult than the nearby Hollyburn, and sometimes inaccessible due to heavy snow. For those two reasons makes it the most secluded hike just minutes from downt...Read more -
Port Alberni, British Columbia
Hike to Hole in the Wall
4.30.6 mi / 0 ft gainThe Hole in The Wall is located just outside the city of Port Alberni, British Columbia. The day hike is easy enough to bring kids on the adventure, is dog friendly and offers a beautiful view of some of Port Alberni's history. Previous to the 1960's, the Hole In The Wall was the opening for a pi...Read more -
Lions Bay, British Columbia
Scramble to the Summit of the West Lion via the Binkert Trail
5.010 mi / 5400 ft gainFind parking in a small gravel lot and be careful to park to the left of the sign, as cars do get towed in this area. Cross through the yellow road gate and begin by ascending the gravel road that provides moderate switchbacks before reaching a junction with the Mount Harvey trail, and keep right...Read more