Cable Bay Nature Trail has been ranked among the top ten forest walks on Vancouver Island. Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail is stunningly beautiful. The trail is wide and easy to pass other hikers. Hike through the dense old forest with big-leaf maple trees to a stunning beach. Enjoy water views with an overlook of Gabriola Island, and watch marine mammals, including Orcas and sea lions. Fishing, hiking, walking, bird watching, running, and wildlife viewing are some of the activities followed in this area. But to get the most out of your trip, it is recommended to have a bug spray with you to make yourself invisible to insects looking for someone to bite. Cable Bay Nature Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail. Extended for over 6.6 km (4.1 miles), hikers can gain an elevation of 119 m (390.4 ft).
The Location of Cable Bay Nature Trail
Cable Bay is a small bay a short distance from Duke Point and Gabriola Island and is named originally due to the numerous pieces of rusting steel cable scattered along the mucky shore. The trail is accessible via Nicola Road in Cedar and leads down Joan Point Park, a 23-acre waterfront park overlooking Dodds Narrows. Drive to the Cable Bay Trailhead at the end of Nicola Road. The trailhead has plenty of parking space, so park your car there and start your hiking trip. Cable Bay Nature Trail ends at the Cable Bay Bridge. However, there is a rough trail following the shoreline along Stewart Channel to Dodd Narrows. Hikers can head back from the Cable Bay bridge to the parking lot on the main trail, a 4.2-kilometre (2.6 miles) hike, or head past the bridge to Dodd's Narrows and beyond, which is 4.7 kilometres (2.9 miles) and will take about 2 hours.
Hiking on Bowen Park Loop is a lovely urban walk along a river with stunningly beautiful nature that promotes a rich forest, a waterfall, and a scenic pond. This easy hiking trail is so well maintained with lots of facilities. Spend hours hiking on this loop as part of the Trans Canada Trail and have a memorable day in the park, great for different kinds of activities.
Westwood Lake Trail is not super challenging, but it is a lovely well maintained and well-marked hiking trail around Westwood Lake with beautiful viewpoints and greenery. The forest and lake are full-on herons, eagles and deer with lots of opportunities to have a great time, so bringing your family with you is a decision you will not regret!
About 10 kilometres away from downtown Nanaimo, find yourself on an easy and well-marked hiking trail along the Nanaimo River with a smile on your face! It is a great short walk that impresses you differently at each section. Take your dog with you and get it some exercises too, as it is dog off-leash-friendly. You can find such energy there in the area with the Douglas fir plantation.
Wear your hiking boots! It is going to be a challenging hike that may take about 4 to 5 hours. The lovely amount of elevation with fantastic views is what you can get hiking on the Mount Benson Loop near Nanaimo. As it is located in a reach environment, take lots of breaks to enjoy the area and get enough energy. If you are not ready for wet terrains, try it on a dry and cool day. You would be satisfied as an experienced hiker.
Don't hike alone! It is an excellent hike for the whole family and pets. Cable Bay Nature Trail is scenic, easy, clean, and wide enough as a family trail. Not only your family but your pet can accompany you. Get the most out of incredible viewpoints. Hike through the forest near the coast and find a nice rock to take a break, grab a snack, and watch the marine wildlife.
How to Get to Cable Bay Nature Trail By Car
From Nanaimo: The fastest route from downtown Nanaimo to Cable Bay Nature Trail is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 13.2 km (8.2 miles) and takes about 15 minutes.
Take Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S, Cedar Rd and Holden Corso Rd to Nicola Rd and drive 12.8 km (7.9 miles). Turn left onto Nicola Rd, and after 450 m (1476.3 ft), you will reach Cable Bay Trailhead.
From Victoria: If you are interested in hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail and plan to drive from Victoria, the fastest route is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. The whole route is 108 km (67.1 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and go on for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive 96.5 km (60 miles). Continue on Haslam Rd. Take Cedar Rd and Woobank Rd to Nicola Rd, and after 10.1 km (6.2 miles), you will reach Cable Bay Trailhead.
What you Can Expect to See Near Cable Bay Nature Trail
Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve or Yellow Point Bog Ecological Reserve was established in 1996. The ecological reserve aims to protect the sensitive ecosystem of bog and its scarce plants, forest and the region's well worth biodiversity. Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve features a Douglas fir forest and an aquatic-terrestrial interface that are scenic and memorable.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is a scenic parkland with tall trees, a campground, and a serene beachfront area suitable for family and friends or solo visitors. The tempting hiking trails among old-growth Douglas fir trees, watching beautiful sunsets by the ocean, and relaxing on the beach are some of the highlights. Extensive wildlife and migratory birds cause a great attraction.
Some people take the best moments in life and imagination to bring them into art pieces. Yellow Bird Arts Gallery is where you can find such artworks. It is famous for its picture framing. Having so many different framings that will cause your head to spin makes it hard to choose one. The gallery has a large and impressive collection of original art, limited edition prints, pottery, and gifts.
Parksville is known for its scenic, superb sandy beaches. This city is also famous for hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, parks, entertainment centres, and many fantastic restaurants and pubs. The city's most popular annual festival is Sandcastle Competition. Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, and Englishman River Falls Provincial Park are among the most visited places.
Want to know facts about animals and plants in their natural environment? Don't miss the opportunity offers by Vancouver Island University and take a visit to the Museum of Natural History. Learn about animals and plants and discover their impact on ecosystems. Here you can find various landscapes of the island and other places and samples of organisms that live or have lived in BC.
As the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is a historical port known as "The Harbour City." With an airport, ferry terminal, and seaplane charters, Nanaimo is a gateway for many tourists. It is home to some of the greatest museums and art galleries and is one of the best cold-water diving locations. If you have a taste for having fun, excellent festivals are waiting for you.
If you plan to be away from urban life and spend hours in the woods watching wildlife and get relaxed, take a visit to Beach Estates Park, west of Departure Bay. With a beautiful designated hiking trail, Beach Estates Park is interesting for hikers and runners. The park's nature includes a lush forest with magnificent tall trees, a small river, a rocky beach, and Beach Estates Falls.
Have a tour at Christie Falls, north of Lady Smith, with two beautiful drops. It worth spending hours watching the scene. The upper cascades to the lower fall, and the lower one pours down on hard rocks making a spectacular scene. It is best to visit Christie Falls in spring when the Bush Creek water flow is more powerful. While you are in the area, there are other waterfalls to enjoy.
Are you a nature lover looking for ocean views, beaches, forests and mountains all in one? Do you struggle with busy life challenges? Discover how the tranquil area of Helliwell Provincial Park gives you the exact solutions to emotional healing and inner strength. This environmentally sensitive area is a gem on Hornby Island, with Douglas fir and Garry oak forest overlooking the ocean.
Millstone River Falls is not a tall waterfall, but its beauty can rival any waterfall on Vancouver Island. Located in Bowen Park, two drops of Millstone River Falls make a soft melody by running smoothly down the river. Bowen Park Loop is a hiking trail that leads you to the waterfall, which is easy even for children. So you can enjoy this natural attraction with your family.
Are you looking for a nice place near Nanaimo or Parksville to have a memorable time? Are you interested in exploring a river, park, and waterfall at the same time? Choose the Englishman River, capture the beauties of nature, and enjoy hiking along the trails. Get relaxed by the falls, go fishing or swimming in the river, have meals at picnic tables, or get ready for camping in the area.
Parksville Beaches is a public beach with endless tidal flats of sand and rock. In July, a fantastic event takes place; the Sand Castle Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. In summer, soaking in the sun and watching the splendid sky could be relaxing. As the beach has an extensive area, it suits children's taste to spend hours running freely, playing and beachcombing.
Choose Stocking Creek Trail in Ladysmith as your destination and start finding Stocking Creek Waterfall. It is one of the natural attractions of Vancouver Island that looks wonderfully beautiful. Imagine the refreshing water cascading on a little pool between a forest which is aesthetically impressive. But if you want to see the waterfall at its prim, spring and fall are the best seasons.
Pipers Lagoon Park is a waterfront park with Shack Island, the ocean, and Neck Point Park views. Stay there for sunrise and sunset, and don't miss watching the scene. The park is home to bird species and other animals, making it a perfect destination for wildlife photographers. Hiking and jogging, beachcombing, flying a kite, and doing water sports are other options.
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is covered with old-growth and second-growth forests. It features Englishman River Falls and two bridges that cross the Englishman River. A deep, crystal clear pool with a small rocky beach downstream of the lower falls is a great place to view spawning salmons in the fall and go swimming in the summer.
Details for Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail
Plan for the hiking trail
What you Can Expect to Do Near Cable Bay Nature Trail
Get out of your comfort zone and go diving in one extraordinary place with quite a history behind it. The wreck of the Robert Kerr is the graveyard of a ship that sank about 200 years ago. Still, now it is a habitat for several marine creatures and offers excellent opportunities to dive deep and explore the underwater world.
As another diving destination around Nanaimo, the Orlebar Point Diving zone is a bit significant, for its accessible by ferries from Nanaimo. These crystal-clear waters may contain enormous waves, which require safety measures for the visitors. However, the environmental features of this diving site bring the chance to explore nature and various living creators.
You cannot believe your ears are hearing a diving place made after a Jet Plane was sunk. But, there is only one way to find out, especially for divers who like abnormal experiences. While you are in Chemainus, you can rent a boat and paddle till you reach this place, offering you unbelievable diving opportunities.
Make immortal memories of diving in the Breakwater Island Diving zone. This famous diving location has a lot to offer. Whether on land or in water, a variety of creatures inhabit the area you cannot get enough and fantastic scenery which can multiply the amazement of your stay in this region.
Looking for a daring diving experience? Hop on and drive to Alcala Point in Porlier Pass diving site. There is a fantastic diving place where you may need a diving guide during winter due to enormous waves. Also, plenty of marine life is living there, so employing safety is mandatory.
Hope to have a great adventure and do not fear new experiences. One of the best diving spots near Nanaimo downtown, accessible by both beach and ferries, offers a fantastic diving opportunity not to be forgotten easily. The mighty currents with great drifting experience increase the amazement of diving.
Westwood Lake Trail is not super challenging, but it is a lovely well maintained and well-marked hiking trail around Westwood Lake with beautiful viewpoints and greenery. The forest and lake are full-on herons, eagles and deer with lots of opportunities to have a great time, so bringing your family with you is a decision you will not regret!
Looking for a way to add a challenge to your adventure? Visit the Keel Cove Diving site. It is a shore diving destination with high chances of observing marine mammals. But, there, you would find a steep trail leading to the beach, which has made visiting there a little challenging.
Hiking on Bowen Park Loop is a lovely urban walk along a river with stunningly beautiful nature that promotes a rich forest, a waterfall, and a scenic pond. This easy hiking trail is so well maintained with lots of facilities. Spend hours hiking on this loop as part of the Trans Canada Trail and have a memorable day in the park, great for different kinds of activities.
Wear your hiking boots! It is going to be a challenging hike that may take about 4 to 5 hours. The lovely amount of elevation with fantastic views is what you can get hiking on the Mount Benson Loop near Nanaimo. As it is located in a reach environment, take lots of breaks to enjoy the area and get enough energy. If you are not ready for wet terrains, try it on a dry and cool day. You would be satisfied as an experienced hiker.
Looking for a place you can camp within the area of a forest? You can find nowhere better than the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park Campground. The beautiful campsite is well maintained with tall trees and lovely views that you can hike while appreciating the incredible scenery. Camp lovers are provided with ample facilities and several outdoor activities.
If you are collecting a diary of diving experiences, it would be amazing to add your diving experience to HMCS Cape Breton. Wrecks of a sunk ship which has made the area a phenomenal diving location decorated with artificial reefs. The zone offers a spectacular site and undeniable diving opportunities, and it is accessible by boat. Not to mention the diverse sea life you would face there.
Nestled in a beautiful forest among the ocean, Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park will make pleasure flow in your blood, like you are walking on air. Whether tent or RV, your camping would be private and quiet in this scenic oceanside campground. The park is on a hill and is terraced with lots of amazing views of the water. Plus, it has a view of three rivers and some great forests.
For those marine life lovers, Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching is a great opportunity. Participants can ride boats and surf the surrounding waters with the chance to explore the area and observe whales living near Nanaimo due to the high population of orcas and whales around there.
If you are making a checklist of diving places on Vancouver Island, make sure it includes the Rivtow Lion Diving zone. Rivtow Lion was a ship that was sunk on purpose, and through the years, it has changed into an artificial cliff and a favourable destination for diving. Photography enthusiasts can find the inner sceneries of the ship charming to be a subject for their cameras.
Experience a private sockeye salmon fishing charter in Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island. Luxury hybrid-electric trawler, expert captain, and all-inclusive fishing adventure for groups of 4 to 11 people during peak June–July season.