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 incredible food, and the sense …
Vancouver Island
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 my extended family, building sand …
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 unprepared! (But I still loved …
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 of the tallest waterfalls in …
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 are sandy beaches, fascinating geology …
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 know about Little Huson Caves. …
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 off the beaten path so …
Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The Juan de Fuca Trail covers 47 challenging kilometres along the coast of southwestern Vancouver Island. I’ve hiked the …
Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The Juan de Fuca Trail is a multi-day hike along the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, …
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 of the trail and help …