Powell River offers unlimited variety for hikers, from oceanfront strolls to backcountry treks. The 180km/111mi Sunshine Coast Trail is the best-known hiking trail in the region, and can easily be explored in smaller sections. Other hikes provide more opportunities for wildlife-watching and checking out local vegetation. Many trails are maintained by the Bloody Old Men's Brigade (also known as the BOMB Squad), a group of retired local men who volunteer their time and energy.
Sunshine Coast Trail
The Sunshine Coast Trail, founded in 1992, meanders south from Sarah Point on Desolation Sound (north of the village of Lund) to Saltery Bay on Jervis Inlet (where ferries travel to Earl's Cove on the lower Sunshine Coast). With ocean views, old-growth forest, bridges, and bluffs, the terrain is engagingly diverse, and ranges from moderate to challenging. Between Sarah Point and Malaspina Road, don't miss the swimming and camping at Wednesday Lake Watershed. Farther south, between Fiddlehead Farm and Eagle River, admire the views from Tinhat Mountain and pick blueberries in the summer. Campsites and toilets are located along the trail, and B&Bs can also be accessed.
The official recreation map for the upper Sunshine Coast (available at the Powell River Visitor Centre) suggests nearly 30 separate sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail for exploration.
Inland Lake Provincial Park
Individuals with disabilities will find incredible hiking at Inland Lake Provincial Park. A 13km/8mi trail that is fully wheelchair-accessible encircles the lake. The circuit includes boardwalks, bridges, and a crushed limestone path. Check out the totem poles by carvers Terry Chapman and Jackie Timothy, and if so inclined, participate in canoeing, biking, or fishing at this 2,763ha/6,828ac park, which sits about 12km/7.5mi north of Powell River.
Valentine Mountain
Located near Cranberry Lake and Powell Lake, Valentine Mountain offers a nice, short uphill climb, including 90-odd wooden steps. The payoff? Superb views of the city of Powell River and nearby islands like Texada Island and Savary Island. Picnic tables grace the summit as well.
Willingdon Beach Trail
The 1230m/4000ft Willingdon Beach Trail located on the Powell River waterfront takes about half an hour to hike each way. In addition to gazing across the sweeping waters of Malaspina Strait, hikers can admire culturally modified trees and shell middens along the shore, reflecting the activity of the original First Nations inhabitants. Watch for gulls, cormorants, and harbour seals. Courtesy of the Powell River Forestry Museum, various pieces of logging equipment are stationed along the trail, including a steam donkey, a bulldozer, and an antique fire pump.
More Area Hiking
To truly bring the hiking experience alive, visitors can hire a local guide. One reputable firm based in nearby Lund is Terracentric Adventures (1451B Hwy. 101). While hiking the Hurtado Point Trail, for instance, guides explain the traditional uses of local flora like salal berries and skunk cabbage, point out geographic landmarks, and explain the origin of place names. (Sarah Point, for instance, was named after explorer George Vancouver's sister.) For more information about hiking the upper Sunshine Coast, contact the Powell River Visitor Centre (#111-4871 Joyce Ave. at the Crossroads Village Shopping Centre). The Visitor Centre sells an in-depth guide to the Sunshine Coast by Eagle Walz, a founder of the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society.