Vancouver Island
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10 Best Things to Do in Nanaimo
I’ve driven off the ferry in Nanaimo dozens of times on my way to various Vancouver Island adventures, but until recently I hadn’t really spent much time in the city. I wasn’t sure what to expect on my visit, but I was pleasantly surprised by the access to nature, the…
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Visiting Tofino in Winter
Known as Načiks in Nuu-chah-nulth, Tofino is one of the most beautiful spots on Vancouver Island: lush rainforests, sandy beaches, and a quaint coastal town. It’s certainly not a mainstream opinion, but I prefer visiting Tofino in winter. As a little kid, I spent a few summers in Tofino with…
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2026 West Coast Trail Hiking Guide
The West Coast Trail is one of the best-known hiking trails in Canada. It covers 75km through some of the toughest and most beautiful terrain in British Columbia’s coastal rainforest. I first hiked the WCT 20 years ago. In fact, it was my first backpacking trip ever! I was SO…
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Della Falls Trail Hiking Guide (Vancouver Island Backpacking)
The 32 km-long Della Falls Trail takes hikers through a beautiful river valley deep in the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. From your riverside campsite, hike to the base of the falls or a spectacular viewpoint on the Love Lake Trail. At 440-metres-tall, Della Falls is one…
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Tatchu Trail Guide: Vancouver Island Coastal Backpacking
If you’re looking for a challenging and remote coastal hike on Vancouver Island, check out the Tatchu Trail. It’s a rough route along the Tatchu Peninsula where you are unlikely to encounter other hikers. Most of the route is on the coast, with a few rough inland sections. The highlights…
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Little Huson Caves on Vancouver Island
The Little Huson Caves are a hidden gem on Northern Vancouver Island. It’s a spectacular location where a rushing creek funnels through a steep canyon into a cave, then comes out the other side. You can reach the caves via a short and easy trail. I’m surprised that few people…
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Things to do on Northern Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island in British Columbia is a special place. But most visitors tend to stick to the well-known spots on the southern end. Which is really too bad because there are so many great things to do on northern Vancouver Island. It’s actually my favourite part! Northern Vancouver Island is…
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Juan de Fuca Trail Itinerary and Section-by-Section Overview
Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach are currently open. The full trail will re-open on July 1, 2026. The Juan de Fuca Trail covers 47 challenging kilometres along the coast of southwestern Vancouver…
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Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island
Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail was closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach are currently open. The full trail will re-open on July 1, 2026. The Juan de Fuca Trail is a multi-day hike along the west coast of Vancouver…
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North Coast Trail Itinerary and Section-By-Section Overview
The North Coast Trail is a challenging 43km multi-day backpacking trip along the northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I hiked the trail twice (to research my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island). I’ve put together a section-by-section overview of the North Coast Trail to give you a taste…
