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The Hike to Century Sam Lake

Known as a relatively difficult hiking trail with an elevation gain of 510 m (1673.2 ft), Century Sam Lake is a moderately trafficked out and back trail near Comox Valley, Vancouver Island. The main trail is extended for 8.7 km (5.4 miles) with eye-catching views of Century Sam Lake and wonderful nature and wildlife observation opportunities. Having some steep sections which may be full of ice during winters, the hike to Century Sam Lake is recommended for more experienced hikers, mostly during winters. This ice-covered or muddy hiking trail is enriched with stunning views of Century Sam Lake and is fairly suitable for camping. 

Location of the Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake starts at Century Sam trailhead southwest of Cumberland and Comox Lake. There is no parking lot nearby. If you don't have a 4x4 vehicle, you can park your car earlier down the trail, about 2 km (1.2 miles) away from the trailhead. While approaching the trailhead from upstream, there is a fun log crossing where the trail splits. Taking the right fork to Century Sam leads to big timber and multiple rock slides. Taking the left fork leads to the longer Comox Glacier Hike. It is expected to reach the lake in between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and the actual trailhead to the lake is about 4 km (2.48 miles). There is also a hidden trail along the edge of the lake, taking you through beautiful wildflowers and to the ice caves on the other side. So hikers should be cautious about the snow melting and its risks. It is not recommend for kids.

Hiking Trails Near Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Trent Falls

The Hike to Trent Falls

A relatively short and easy trail in the Comox Valley area is the hike to Trent Falls. Stay on track because its wild nature has much to offer. Hiking along the Trent River with its perfect swimming and fishing opportunities and watching the waterfall with a deep pool under and the wildlife around it brings you joy, especially if you are with the family.

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

The Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk makes it possible for you to hike in a paved path where nature is around you. It is easy to find wildlife for photography while hiking. Take your dog with you and choose between hiking, walking, running, and biking. As the trail is suitable for all ages and is close to Courtenay, it is one of the popular hiking trails in the area that gets crowded on sunny days.

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake is highly recommended for experienced hikers. You will have everything to make a good adventure! Hiking in a wilderness area with stunning mountain views and a unique landscape would make a perfect day. Beautiful lake, cool caves, stunning nature and wildlife viewing, and forest walk make your experience very rewarding!

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Experienced and beginner hikers will be surprised hiking Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop with its stunning atmosphere in an alpine area and fantastic scenery. This trail includes well-kept facilities and a campground that make it suitable for all family members. Have a nice day-hike not to miss the attractions to see.

How to Get to the Trail of Century Sam Lake By Car

From Nanaimo:
Getting to Century Sam trailhead from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is 137 km (85.1 miles) and takes about two hours.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 miles). Follow BC-19 N. Take exit 117 from BC-19 N and drive 99 km (61.5 miles). Take Bevan Rd and Comox Logging Rd to your destination, and after 34.9 km (21.6 miles), you will reach Century Sam trailhead.

From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria to Century Sam trailhead is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 248 km (154.1 miles) and takes about 3 hours and a half.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. Take exit 117 from BC-19 N and drive 211 km (131.1 miles). Take Bevan Rd and Comox Logging Rd to your destination, and after 34.9 km (21.6 miles), you will reach Century Sam trailhead.

What you Can Expect to See Near Century Sam Lake

Brown's River Falls

Brown's River Falls

Along the Brown River, there is a river fall that completes its attractiveness. The river's stream cascades from rock cliffs and makes Brown's River Falls. It is also known as Medicine Bowl, a series of falls in a lush green forest. The landscape is worthy enough to sit on a rock and watch it for hours, and the sound of the waterfall is like a piece of music on repeat, which you would not become bored with it.

Trent River Falls

Trent River Falls

Listen to the music of water, let your troubles go with the flow, and immerse yourself in nature. Get yourself in touch with the perfect view of Trent River Falls, its ecosystem, and beautiful trees. Enjoy the wildlife and a wide range of bird species in the area. Make your outdoor excursion around the waterfall and the Trent River full of peace.

Goose Spit Park

Goose Spit Park

Goose Spit Park is a long narrow coastal park with a view of the Pacific Ocean and majestic mountains. Lots of driftwoods exist all over the beach. Have a nice walk on the long walkway to see lots of crab and starfish or find some sand dollars. Goose Spit Park offers excellent opportunities for water sports like swimming, kayaking, and surfing.

Myra Falls (Lower Myra Falls)

Myra Falls (Lower Myra Falls)

In the south end of Buttle Lake at Strathcona Provincial Park, you can find Myra Falls (or Lower Myra Falls), a Jewel of natural wonders. This seven-drop waterfall is beautiful all year round, and it feels like you're in a land of fantasy. The tremendous view of the place and shades of green and blue of the pool under the falls make a great scene perfect for photography.

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens is a fantastic natural garden with delightful paths, a creek, and great open spaces. It is home to plenty of native plants, wildflowers, and birds. The garden features one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in Western Canada, with over 3000 plantings. The best time to visit is from March to the end of June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park, or Little Hawaii, has an expansive sweep of white sand surrounded by woods. The park is famous for its unusual rocky shoreline formations, tidal pools, and beautiful white sandy beaches. Its warm and shallow water is ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Being there watching sunsets and a beautiful full moon without any street lights to distract the view would impress you.

Stotan Falls

Stotan Falls

It is a grace finding a waterfall along a river. The Puntledge River makes Stotan Falls a beautiful pond waterfall with a wide area. The waterfall sound melodious by the water pouring smoothly on the large rocks on its way that you can enjoy for hours. Swimming in summer would be delightful while you are in hot water where the green forest surrounds you.

Rosewall Creek Falls

Rosewall Creek Falls

The flow of Rosewall Creek forms a waterfall in the middle of a rain forest surrounded by moss-covered rocks. Rosewall Creek Falls is one of the masterpieces done by nature that deserves multiple visits. The water is white and pure, and it seems like it's coming out of a wall made of trees. Visiting the waterfall in summer and spring would be perfect as the creek has a higher water level.

Beaufort Range

Beaufort Range

Develop your life skills and overcome daily life obstacles in touch with nature. The Beaufort Range has incredible mountains stretching from Horne Lake to Comox Lake with Mount Joan as the highest summit. It offers excellent hiking with outstanding views overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Port Alberni, passing through a bit bushy cols.

Comox Lake

Comox Lake

Comox Lake is a trendy recreational area, a hot spot near the city of Courtenay. This freshwater lake is so wonderful that people crazy about outdoor activities, specifically hiking, swimming, and camping, can not ignore it. There are multiple trails with a lot of eye-catching nature to see. The lake's surroundings are incredible and worth visiting.

Deer Falls

Deer Falls

A great place to heal and recharge on the Campbell River is Deer Falls, a little piece of heaven. Imagine the water descends into an emerald green pool with the sweetest melody that you could hear and the tall trees surrounding the falls. In summer and late spring, the rocks around the pool become moss-covered and create a fabulous view. Watching bears there in summertime eating salmon is fantastic, but don't limit your expectations; the area has a lot to offer as scenery.

Nymph Falls

Nymph Falls

The Puntledge River cuts its way through the rocks, and it falls where the stunning drops of Nymph Falls appear. It is the crown jewel of Nymph Falls Nature Park, with two drops in the middle of the wood, the wonderful lush green forest. Just drive about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Courtenay to the west to discover the beauties.

Comox

Comox

Comox is a town with fishing opportunities, local wildlife, year-round golf and proximity to the Mount Washington ski area, the Forbidden Plateau, and Strathcona Provincial Park. Based on archaeological evidence, there was a Coast Salish fishing settlement at Comox for at least 4,000 years. The area's signature landmark is the Comox Glacier.

Courtenay

Courtenay

Courtenay is the biggest community in the area with daily flights from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. It has scenic beaches, rivers, lakes, and popular activities such as Mt. Washington Ski, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and world-class golfing. Comox Valley is famous for year-round sports and recreational activities among them are bird watching and photography.

Helliwell Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park

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.

Details for the Hike to Century Sam Lake

Plan for the hiking trail

What you Can Expect to Do Near Century Sam Lake

Camping in the Strathcona Provincial Park Campground

Camping in the Strathcona Provincial Park Campground

As the oldest provincial park on the island, Strathcona Provincial Park Campground will be a memorable wilderness adventure. Every day you spend on this beautiful campground is a different new day, for you can experience any adventure and never get sick of it. As a hot spot for camping, you are given a chance to choose the setting of your campsite.

Goose Spit Regional Park Kiteboarding

Goose Spit Regional Park Kiteboarding

When you plan to choose a destination to go kiteboarding, you will get lost in the reasons you should select Goose Spit Regional Park. A scenic beach including a fantastic ecosystem will provide you with a handful of activities, kiteboarding in particular. Diverse wildlife is also observable.

Flora Islet Diving

Flora Islet Diving

If you are wandering around Hornby Island and thinking about a way to multiply the adventure of your day, do not hesitate and head to Flora Islet. On the other hand, no boats? Don't worry! This excellent diving zone is accessible by ferry. Enthusiasts who come to the site on summer days have the chance to see six-gill sharks.

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

The Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk makes it possible for you to hike in a paved path where nature is around you. It is easy to find wildlife for photography while hiking. Take your dog with you and choose between hiking, walking, running, and biking. As the trail is suitable for all ages and is close to Courtenay, it is one of the popular hiking trails in the area that gets crowded on sunny days.

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Experienced and beginner hikers will be surprised hiking Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop with its stunning atmosphere in an alpine area and fantastic scenery. This trail includes well-kept facilities and a campground that make it suitable for all family members. Have a nice day-hike not to miss the attractions to see.

Camping in Kwai Lake Campground

Camping in Kwai Lake Campground

Once you got bitten by the travel bug, remember to stop by Kwai Lake. Its campground offers an excellent time camping with impressive views all around you. Paved road access, well-maintained trails make the campground a suitable place for campers. A backcountry campground nestled right in an area that is home to diverse flora and fauna. Campers can have an ideal walk-in, wilderness camping adventure.

Camping in Circlet Lake Campground

Camping in Circlet Lake Campground

The fundamental core of life is your thirst for adventure; therefore, visiting Circlet Lake is a must. Circlet Lake Campground has enough attraction to fascinate you. Alpine forest, easy access, waterfalls, and lakes are just some attractions bewitching visitors and mountaineers for camping there. Some wooden plateau tent pads are provided on the lake, while some are off the lake for campers who need more seclusion.

Camping in Helen Mackenzie Lake Campground

Camping in Helen Mackenzie Lake Campground

When you do not expect it at all, endless excitement on Helen Mackenzie Lake will strike you. There, campers would experience backcountry camping, and all the amenities and convenient facilities that enthusiasts may need are provided. You will be fascinated by breathtaking views and various flora and fauna. It has trails through beautiful meadows by the crystal water while the mountain is spreading upfront.

The Hike to Trent Falls

The Hike to Trent Falls

A relatively short and easy trail in the Comox Valley area is the hike to Trent Falls. Stay on track because its wild nature has much to offer. Hiking along the Trent River with its perfect swimming and fishing opportunities and watching the waterfall with a deep pool under and the wildlife around it brings you joy, especially if you are with the family.

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

As a popular destination for campers from Nanaimo or Courtenay, Qualicum Bay Resort is one of the best places for nature admirers. Amuse your eye with the beautiful scenic view of this campground located on a beautiful beach. You are provided with almost every kind of camping and incredible landscape for those in the RV campground.

Goose Spit Regional Park Windsurfing

Goose Spit Regional Park Windsurfing

If you are craving a windsurfing opportunity during winter, Goose Spit Regional Park will provide you with the chance to meet your expectations of windsurfing along with kiteboarding. Nestled near Comox Valley, you are allowed to enjoy yourselves and the extraordinary scenery at the same time. Sandy and rocky beaches and diverse wildlife are other features of the Goose spit.

Camping in Little Qualicum Falls Campground

Camping in Little Qualicum Falls Campground

The resemblance of Little Qualicum Falls Campground to paradise is something uncanny. One of the most beautiful parks with a spectacular Vancouver Island environment has a lot to offer campers worldwide. Great campsites enclosed by stunning scenery comprising ample facilities for the visitors. Not to mention that there is saturated with opportunities for adventure that no one can ignore.

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake is highly recommended for experienced hikers. You will have everything to make a good adventure! Hiking in a wilderness area with stunning mountain views and a unique landscape would make a perfect day. Beautiful lake, cool caves, stunning nature and wildlife viewing, and forest walk make your experience very rewarding!

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

The great adventure in Fanny Bay will always hunt its visitors. The Lighthouse RV Park and Campground offer undeniable opportunities for camping of all kinds with a beautiful view of the ocean ornamented by mountains and islands. This campground offers excellent accommodation with every essential amenity. Not to mention that you can lose yourself in its charm, quiet, and unique sites and find it again.

Camping in Buttle Lake Campground

Camping in Buttle Lake Campground

Home to many campsites with all kinds of facilities and services right on the shoreline, Buttle Lake campground offers you the best opportunities to explore the shore. There you can do a lot of activities and enjoy seeing marine creatures.
Annually, the campground welcomes RV and vehicle campers. Also, you can have a good time camping in your tents.

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