| Port Alberni
has some of the best hiking on Vancouver Island. There are over 100
trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in and around
the Alberni Valley.
Log Train
Trail
The Log Train Trail in Log Train Regional Park in Port Alberni offers
25 km of trail for hikers, cyclists and horse riders through the
beautiful Alberni Valley. The trail stretches along the foot of
the Beaufort Range, leading to the McLean Mill Historic Site. The
Log Train Trail was originally part of the Bainbridge Mill rail-logging
operation. The trail is accessible from many points in the Alberni
Valley, but the easiest start is from the trailhead sign on Highway
4.
Stamp Long
River Trail
The Stamp River Long Trail provides access to 7.5 km of beautiful
old growth riparian on the east bank of the Stamp River, running
mostly parallel to the river. Several short switchbacks provide
contrasting views of the river from above. Ancient firs and cedars
can be found along the length of the trail, and there is a particularly
fine stand of old growth near the north end. Eagles, hawks, mergansers,
dippers and other water birds are frequently seen. In fall, bears
are frequently encountered feeding on salmon. Care should be taken
to avoid encountering a feeding bear. Caution should also be exercised
during winter when water levels are high. The trail can be accessed
from either the south or north ends, but there are no intermediate
access points. The south end is accessed from the parking lot at
Stamp River Provincial Park.
Della Falls
Trail
Della Falls is Canada's highest waterfall, at 1,444 feet (440 metres).
Along with Mount Waddington, British Columbia's highest mountain,
Della Falls is one of the most awesome and least visited natural
attractions in BC. Della Falls lies within Strathcona Provincial
Park, northwest of Port Alberni, and requires a hike of 3 to 5 days
via the historic Drinkwater Trail (moderate; 20 miles/32 km return).
The trailhead is at the west end of the 18-mile (29-km) long Great
Central Lake.
Fossli Park
Trails
A beautiful 2.5 kilometre walking trail in Fossli
Provincial Park leads through second-growth forest to an old
homestead site on Sproat Lake. At the lake, visitors can relax on
the level grassy area or pebble beach and enjoy the lovely views
of Sproat Lake. There is a good beach for swimming, and in the fall,
coho salmon can be seen spawning in St. Andrew's Creek. A short
trail heading west from the beach leads to a small point and a beaver
pond that is a good spot for bird watching in the spring.
Greenmax
Anglers' Trail
Travelling west on Highway 4 out of town. Turn right onto Coleman
Road after crossing the Sproat River Bridge. Continue passed Airport
Road, down a hill and across a creek. The 4.1-km trail begins by
going through the Greenmax woodlot. Follow the road on foot past
a cleared area and up a short hill. At the top of the hill take
the spur which bears around to the right and follow it to the end
at the top of a steep bank above the river. The trail leads down
to the river just below the falls opposite the site of the former
Girl Guide cabin. From here the trail continues upriver for 2.4
km through a mature second-growth forest. At 1.7 km you pass one
of the more popular swimming spots on the river. The trail continues
up river and ends at a popular fishing spot often referred to as
Eagle Rock.
Historic
Canadian Northern Pacific Railway (CNPR) Trail
From the Bamfield Mainline take the turnoff to China Creek Marina.
The trailhead is 200 metres on the left. From this northern access
on the China Creek Marina road, the 3.8-km trail passes through
a clearcut and then descends steeply through mature timber and evergreen
huckleberry to Underwood Cove. On the way, it passes some rocky
clearings that give views of the inlet below. The trail continues
past Underwood Cove to a concrete culvert completed in 1913 (the
date is embossed on the downstream end).
Across the creek,
at the top of the bank, is the end of the CNPR grade, although the
trains never went past Cowichan Lake. The rail bed was constructed
without motorized machinery and impressive rock cuts, and filled
areas can be seen along the way. The trail continues south along
the rail grade, past the two access trails from Underwood Main.
It parallels the inlet, which can be seen through gaps in the rainforest.
Two side trails along the route give access to small beaches beside
streams. Work on the trail is continuing and it will soon extend
to the Franklin River.
Maplehurst
Trails
The 4 kilometres of Maplehurst Trails begin at the end of Willow
Road, on the left side of a small blue spruce tree. The trail consists
of a series of interlocking loops that allow a variety of routes
to be followed. The western ridge trail is on an old woodroad, and
goes through several maple and alder groves. The eastern trail follows
Kitsuksis Creek in places, with two sections where the bank is quite
steep down to the creek below. In other areas, where the trail is
at the same level as the creek, several of the cedar trees show
claw marks on their bark where black bears have climbed. There are
also some large Douglas fir trees that escaped when the area was
logged in the 1950s. There are plenty of dead trees that provide
food for woodpeckers on the first and second crossover trails, and
an aspen grove beside the third. The trails are enlivened by various
small treasures and items placed by previous trail users, which
makes it particularly interesting for children.
Mount Arrowsmith
Trails
Mount Arrowsmith is the most prominent visual focal point for most
of the south central portion of Vancouver Island. Mount
Arrowsmith Regional Park is situated along Highway 4 between
Parksville and Port Alberni. Access to the mountain is located near
the summit of Highway 4, approximately 9 km east of Port Alberni.
The public has access through the park using Rousseau Trail, Arrowsmith
Trail, which is accessible from Cameron Lake, and the Lower Ski
Area Trail.
Labour Day
Lake Trail
Labour Day Lake Trail is located approximately
30 km southwest of Port Alberni. Logging roads in the Cameron Valley
provide good vehicle access to secluded Labour Day Lake. A short
walk suitable for portaging canoes leads through the forest to the
lake and a pleasant two-hour hiking trail around the lake. Access
is via the Cameron Main logging road (off Highway 4) and Lake Road.
Rogers Creek
Trail
Rogers Creek Park, off Gertude Street at Pemberton, is a great spot
for a picnic within Port Alberni's city limits. The picnic area
is shaded by large trees, and the well-marked 4-km Rogers Creek
Trail lets active family members stretch their legs.
Kitsukis
Dyke Walking Path
Walkers can stroll along the 3-km Kitsukis Walkway that leads passed
a playground with a summer water park.
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