 Mount Arrowsmith In a matter of minutes, visitors can travel from city shopping plazas into the thick of the Alberni Valley wilderness. The region stretches from the peak of Mount Arrowsmith to the river systems, lakes, forested expanses, farmlands and ocean fjords that roll west to the open Pacific.
Great OutdoorsPort Alberni's future has arrived for all-season adventurers keen on salmon fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and numerous water activities (swimming, boating, tubing, kayaking and canoeing). Natural gems in the region include Cathedral Grove's old-growth hemlocks, the mighty Della Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America), Stamp River Falls Provincial Park, the historic Log Train Trail hiking/biking route, and the watersports hubs of Sproat and Great Central lakes.
Accessible & Central Both coasts of the island are within easy drives of Port Alberni. Accommodation options are varied for city visitors, as well as the summertime camping/RV crowd. A fascinating collection of historic and heritage sites can be found here. And the dining (with its emphasis on fresh-caught seafood) is much better than might be expected for a mill and port town of this size (population: 25,000) far removed from the urban bustle.
Budget minded travellers daunted by costs in the resort towns at either end of Highway #4 are making the city both a short and longer-term vacation headquarters from which to explore the island. The gorgeous stretches of sand in Parksville and Qualicum Beach are less than an hour's drive to the east, while the Pacific Rim meccas Tofino and Ucluelet are some 120km/75mi to the west.
Port Alberni Snapshots Take a walking tour downtown or explore the Alberni Valley on driving/hiking tours. The city and region as a whole offer the following highlights – many of which can be enjoyed in a single day or over a leisurely long weekend:
Step back in time on a vintage passenger train that chugs through the valley to Canada's only working steam sawmill, the 1920-era McLean Mill National Historic Site. Expect sell-outs on special trips designed for fans of Harry Potter and Christmas lights.
Head out to sea with fishing guides, on Batstar Adventure's internationally celebrated kayak-with-a-chef tours, or aboard the cargo freighter MV Francis Barkley on route to famously scenic Barkley Sound and the town of Bamfield's wilderness lodges.
Snap pictures of black bears foraging for berries and salmon on the west bank of the Somass River – safely visible by onlookers from Victoria Quay, a favorite downtown gathering place.
Check out the Labour Day Port Alberni Salmon Festival, the Thunder in the Valley drag racing competition, top-rate junior hockey tournaments, various art galleries and home studios, and a half-dozen other special events held annually.
Where to BeginStop by the Alberni Valley Visitor Centre for information about the city and the surrounding Vancouver Island region. Maps, brochures and friendly tips are available at the centre, which is conveniently located at the eastern edge of town on Highway 4 (aka the Port Alberni Highway).
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