Hiking
Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)
Three forested parks, plenty of oceanfront access points, and roadside walks make Hornby Island an excellent destination for hikers.
Easy, moderate, and challenging routes suit all fitness levels.
Pick up trail maps at Hornby Island Outdoor Sports (Ringside Market near the HI Co-Op). And give thanks to the Hornby Island Residents and Ratepayers' Association, whose trail committee won an Islands Trust Community Stewardship Award for its work.
Helliwell Provincial Park
Islanders and regional hiking guides alike rate the delightfully scenic 5km/3.1mi loop trail in Helliwell Provincial Park as Hornby's best. It leads to St. John's Point at the island's breezy eastern tip. The lightstation on Flora Islet warns sailors away from the jagged rocks. The waters here are home to the rare six-gilled shark. And the sculpted sandstone cliffs inspire photographers and sketchpad artists.
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Beginning from the parking lot at the end of St. John's Point Road, the soft, well-maintained path winds clockwise through old-growth Douglas Fir to the ocean's edge. It then hugs the coastline for much of the remaining 75-minute hike back to the starting point. Or add two more hours to the trip by taking the High Salal Trail to Trib Bay and returning on the road past Whaling Station Bay, site of another postcard beach.
Tribune Bay Provincial Park
Tribune Bay Provincial Park rates alongside Parksville's Rathtrevor Beach as the finest stretch of sand and tidal flats on Canada's west coast. (National newspaper columnist Ian Haysom figures this "Little Hawaii" is BC's top attraction.) Beachcombers delight in strolling out towards the retreating tide and exploring sandstone tidal pools. Stretch a beach walk into a half-day hike by continuing on the High Salal and Helliwell Park trails.
Mount Geoffrey Regional Nature Park
Mount Geoffrey Regional Nature Park, one of BC's newest protected green spaces within minutes of exiting the ferry, is easily accessible terrain for hikers and mountain bikers. The mostly flat 90-minute there-and-back Spit Trail follows the south shoreline from the ferry to Ford's Cove Marina. Stop for fish-and-chips in the cove or explore the sandstone shoreline and wildflower meadow at Heron Rocks.
Farther up the hillside is the Bench Trail, accessible from the end of Mount Road off Shingle Spit Road. Higher still are the more challenging Summit, North Wind and Cold Deck routes. There are three dozen trails in all in the park, some reserved exclusively for hikers (i.e., Coltsfoot and Rain Forest). The park's first major access point at Lea Smith Road. Or carry on to Ringside Market, get a map and begin the ascent to the 330m/1083ft peak from either Slade or Strachan roads.
Roads and Beach Access
Pleasant beach strolls are possible at Grassy Point (off Harwood Road at the island's north end), Clam Shell Beach (at Whaling Station Bay), the pebble beach at Little Tribune Bay, and Shingle Spit's rocky shoreline (near the ferry terminal). A public trail parallels Central Road and links the Ringside Market to the Cardboard House bakery.
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910 Fern Rd E
Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
V9K 1M3
Websitehttp://www.coastalrevelations.com
Toll-free866-954-0110
Phone250-594-7002
Discover the story behind Vancouver Island's ancient rainforests of giant trees, alpine flower meadows & turquoise mountain lakes; ocean tide pools; marine & other wildlife; salmon & bird watching areas. Year-round personal nature tours with a biologist trained by Interpretation Canada. Get to the right place in less time so you can spend more time exploring, learning, exercising & experiencing. Find secret places & special moments off the beaten path & discover the hidden creatures others don't know about. Have an authentic vacation that tells the story behind the scenery through thought-provoking & interactive programs. Snowshoeing & hiking tours.
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