Vancouver Island's numerous mountains and crags offer some great rock climbing, caving, and mountaineering opportunities.
There are plenty of opportunities for adventure on Vancouver Island, from rock climbing at Strathcona Provincial Park and Mount Arrowsmith to caving in Horne Lakes Caves Provincial Park and the Upana Caves. Vancouver Island has thousands of caves – some of which rank among the world’s most significant and spectacular. Take a guided tour to make the most of the outdoors, whether that means climbing rock walls or descending underground to see unusual rock formations.
Strathcona Provincial Park, BC's oldest provincial park, has some of the best climbing on Vancouver Island. And with over 245,000ha/605,408ac of rugged mountain terrain, the park offers some excellent mountaineering opportunities, too.
Rock climbers of all abilities head to the Crest Creek Crags to explore more than 150 climbing routes on 19 rock faces perched above scenic Crest Lake. Visitors can arrange for guided half- and full-day rock climbing excursions through Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre.
Guided Mountaineering and Comox Glacier
During the summer, certified guides lead mountaineers to a variety of summits on Vancouver Island. Set up a single- or multi-day trip to one of these peaks: Mount Arrowsmith, The Golden Hinde, Mount Elkhorn, Mount Septimus, Rambler Peak, or Mount Colonel Foster.
Climb three separate Comox Glacier peaks on a four-day excursion, or go on a guided, one-day, helicopter-assisted adventure to a destination of your choice.
Not all routes require previous climbing experience. Guiding companies will often provide necessary equipment such as harnesses, helmets, ice axes, and crampons; check with the company about what to bring.
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Located deep inside the Beaufort Mountain Range, north of Qualicum Beach, Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park offers guided and self-guided family tours, plus camping and freshwater marine activities.
Two caves (Horne Lake Main and Lower Caves) are open year round for self-guided tours. Exploring these caves requires moderate climbing skills and the ability to navigate small passages and narrow crawlways. Riverbend Cave, gated for protection, can only be explored on reserved, guided Horne Lake cave tours. Helmets can be rented for a minimal fee.
The Upana Caves
Near Gold River, the Upana Caves are the most easily accessible of the 50 caves in the Nootka Sound area, and are very popular with casual cavers. A self-guided tour through the main caves takes visitors about an hour, and guided tours are also available.
There are 15 known entrances with 450m/1,476ft of passages. The caves themselves vary from single rooms to passages.
Caving on North Vancouver Island
New caves and unusual land formations are being discovered all the time, especially in the North Islands region where amazing natural oddities occur at The Artlish River Caves, the Quatsino Limestone Formation, Devil’s Bath, Eternal Fountain, and Disappearing River.
A 45-minute drive and hike from Port McNeill on the road to Zeballos, the Little Huson Cave Regional Park offers easily accessible caves. Suitable for inexperienced cavers, these caves feature sinkholes, canyons, large arches, and a swift-flowing river which appears and disappears into the rock formations.
Climbing & Caving Safety
- Beginners should get basic climbing and belaying instruction in the safe and controlled environment of indoor climbing walls and continue training until they’re confident and ready for more challenging routes.
- All climbers and mountaineers – regardless of their level of expertise – must thoroughly understand all gear, safety and weather-related requirements (like avalanche safety) before setting out on an adventure. To avoid injury, get advice from local guides, clubs or associations before venturing out. Keep travel health insurance up to date and ensure there’s separate coverage for the chosen activity.
- Some of Vancouver Island’s thousands of caves have been explored and charted, but most remain undeveloped. Please note that the Ministry of Environment discourages exploring unmapped caves. When caving, it's advisable to wear sturdy boots, warm clothing, a safety helmet and a flashlight.
- When viewing caves, the fragile nature of these systems and the potential hazards must be recognized. Visitors should be aware of the numerous vertical openings and irregular terrain of surface karst. Inexperienced visitors wishing to view caves should consider joining a caving club.
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