Hiking
Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)
Mount Washington Alpine Resort and neighboring Strathcona Provincial Park deliver some of the most varied and challenging hiking in the Vancouver Island region.
Mount Washington's seven alpine trails – all serviced by the Eagle Express chairlift – vary in accordance with hiking skill levels. Another 40 trails are found at Strathcona Provincial Park.
Resort Trails
A constant favourite, the 0.7km/0.43mi Top of the World Trail is an easy hike with a stunning panoramic view from Mount Washington's peak. The 2.1km/1.3mi Linton's Trail is an intermediate trail, which requires plenty of walking. It does reward with spectacular views of Strathcona Provincial Park and Mount Albert Edwards. Linton's Trail is also an active access road for mountain vehicles.
Wanting a challenge? The Giv'er Trail is an advanced route straight up-and-down the peak. Another advanced trail, the 4.3km/2.67mi West Summit Ridge, meanders through West Basin, literally peaks at Mount Washington, and descends through alpine meadows.
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Strathcona Provincial Park Trails
Strathcona Provincial Park brings near-endless hiking possibilities. The oldest and largest provincial park on Vancouver Island offers a trekker's feast of some 40 hiking trails. These trails range from day hikes to backpacking expeditions deep into the wilds. All lead to beauty and adventure in unspoiled untrammelled wilderness.
Short, easy hikes lead from Hwy 28 to viewpoints at Lady Falls, Elk River, and Lupin Falls. Geology buffs savour the 4km/2.5mi Karst Creek Trail, beginning beside the picnic area on the east side of Buttle Lake. Also recommended are the Wild Ginger and Shepard Creek walking trails that begin at the Ralph River Campground.
Intermediate/advanced hikers trek to Della Falls. At 440m/1,443ft, it's one of the highest falls in Canada and nearly eight times the height of Niagara Falls. The 16km/9.6mi trail from Great Central Lake through old-growth forest takes about 7 hours. The circular, 5-hour, 13 km/8mi Boston Ridge Trail to Mount Becher above Comox Lake also requires a high fitness level.
Comox Glacier Trail
The great-great-great granddaddy of all hikes in this area, Comox Glacier Trail, is only recommended only for seasoned hikers. The K'omox First Nation knew the glacier as Queneesh, "the great white whale." Hikers and mountaineers have been meeting its challenge since the first ascent of the glacier in 1922.
The three-day-long, 9km/5.6mi hike is not for the faint of foot. It calls for backpacking gear, maps, compass, ice axe, ropes, and a stove. On the trail, hikers should be on the lookout for bears and cougars.
An alternate route, the Kookjai Trail, was cleared by the Comox District Mountaineering Club in 2003. The route takes longer, but circumvents the toughest climbing areas and renders the glacier and its lakes, alpine meadows, bogs, and snow fields more accessible to hikers.
For more information about hiking in the Mount Washington Alpine Resort area contact the Comox Valley Visitor Centre in Courtenay.
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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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