Things to Do

Mountain biking at the bike park (Mount Washington Alpine Resort photo)

For a city that once verged on turning into a ghost town, Cumberland boasts an outlandishly hefty slate of things to do.

Its history as a coal mining city means tours have a deeply historic setting.

As gateway to Strathcona Provincial Park, it invites visitors to fish, hike, walk, mountain bike, rock climb and camp in the wilderness through most of the year.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Vancouver Island may boast the mildest winters in Canada, but its higher elevations have plenty of snow. Mt. Washington Alpine Resort near Strathcona Provincial Park hosts the deepest all-natural snow base in Canada and offers 50 alpine runs, eight lifts and a high-speed quad chairlift.

The Ozone snow-tube park offers tubing day and night. There are two parks for snowboarders. And for cross-country skiers, 40km/25mi of scenic trails await.

Mountain Biking

Stunning scenery, wildlife and unpredictability pump adrenalin for mountain bikers and adventure seekers in Cumberland. The Comox Valley is famed with cyclists for its Comox Lake-Puntledge River Trails, a network of nine moderate-to-difficult trails, one leading to the perfectly described Puntledge Plunge.

If that sounds scary, consider trails named Buggered Pig, Bucket of Blood, Space Nugget, Short n Curly, Spanker, Black Hole and Soggy Biscuit. They come with stunts and challenges including log rides, ladder bridges, drops and gap jumps. The folk at Cumberland's Riding Fool Hostel help overcome all obstacles.

Hiking

An easy hike is the Chinatown Trail, connecting 21st century explorers to Cumberland's coal mining past and the thousands of Chinese workers who toiled in the mines.

Meanwhile, the great-granddaddy of all hikes – only for seasoned hikers – is the Comox Glacier Trail. This one is for neither the faint of heart nor the faint of foot.

Rock Climbing

The Cumberland side of Comox Lake offers a dozen major craggy climbs, all within a 15-minute walk from the Comox Lake Campground and all suitable for most climbers. Climbs include Devil's Ladder, Dragon's Face and Kamikaze Wall. The guidebook Comox Lake Crags is available at the Riding Fool Hostel.

Camping

Cumberland campgrounds reach from the shores of Comox Lake to Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park. On the shores of Comox Lake 5km/3mi from Cumberland, the Cumberland Lake Park Campground has 18 RV sites, 44 tent sites, wooded areas, hiking trails, swimming, picnic area and playground.

Strathcona Provincial Park offers camping at two major sites, Buttle Lake and Ralph River. They provide water, toilets, firewood, vast natural grandeur and excellent freshwater fishing. And, oh yes, hiking starts two steps out of the tent.

Fishing

In the excitement over ocean fishing and trophy-size salmon and halibut, some of the best freshwater fishing in BC tends to be overlooked and underrated. Flanked by mountains and fed by a glacier, nearby Comox Lake provides catch of rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden char and kokanee, fresh water salmon.

Historic and Heritage Sites

Downtown history is a walk. Cumberland offers four self-guided walking tours under the Comox Valley Heritage Experience banner; information is available at the Comox Valley Visitor Centre in nearby Courtenay. The walk lasts about an hour plus break time for coffee, lunch, a little shopping and a pint of beer at the village's favourite watering hole. Interpretive plaques provide historic info at every stop.

Driving Routes

Take advantage of fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping opportunities at Strathcona Provincial Park on a driving route through Cumberland.

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