Hiking in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

• Distance: 1.3 km (0.8 miles) to T junction

• Time: ~20-30 minutes

• Rating: 2 C (easy)

• Description: The Carmanah Main Trail is the gateway to hiking in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, starting at the main parking lot at the end of Rosander Mainline. This well-marked, planked trail protects the fragile roots of Sitka spruce, guiding hikers through a cathedral-like old-growth forest. After 1.3 km, it reaches a T junction, splitting into the Lower Carmanah Trail downstream or the Middle Carmanah Trail upstream. Damaged by 2006-2007 winter storms, the trail may require detours around fallen timber, adding adventure to this nature trail. The towering giant trees and moss-draped understory make it a must-do for things to do on Vancouver Island.

• Distance: ~1.8 km (1.1 miles) from parking lot to closure point (~500 meters past Randy Stoltmann Commemorative Grove)

• Time: ~45 minutes to 1 hour

• Rating: 2 C (moderate)

• Description: The Carmanah Valley Trail to Heaven Tree, or Lower Carmanah Trail, begins at the T junction, heading downstream along Carmanah Creek. This hiking trail leads to the Heaven Tree, a majestic Sitka spruce; the Fallen Giant, a fallen giant; and the Randy Stoltmann Commemorative Grove, honoring the B.C. conservationist who saved this temperate rainforest. An information board details Stoltmann’s legacy, enriching your hiking in the park. Closed 500 meters past the grove due to unsafe conditions, the trail once extended to the Carmanah Giant and West Coast Trail. Hikers must stay on planks to protect giant tree roots, preserving this beautiful place.

The Carmanah Valley trail system includes the Lower, Middle, and Upper Carmanah Trails, offering diverse hiking places within Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park. These valley trails explore the heart of the 16,450-hectare park, ideal for wilderness camping and nature study.

Middle Carmanah Trail to Paradise Pool

• Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles) one way from parking lot to Paradise Pool

• Time: 2.5-3 hours

• Rating: 2 C (easy to moderate, rougher beyond Three Sisters)

• Description: From the T junction, the Middle Carmanah Trail heads upstream through Carmanah Valley’s old-growth forests. At 1.2 km (0.75 miles), the Three Sisters, a trio of towering Sitka spruce, mark a sacred point in this hiking paradise. The trail grows rougher, weaving along creek trails by Carmanah Creek. At ~3.3 km, Grunt’s Grove campsite offers wilderness camping, with summer sites along the gravel streambed. Another 2 km leads to Paradise Pool, an emerald-green oasis perfect for swimming—a highlight of things to see in British Columbia. Wilderness camping is permitted north of the Three Sisters, but no campfires are allowed. The trail’s closure beyond Paradise Pool due to a hazardous bridge emphasizes caution on this hiking trail.

• Distance: ~7.5 km (4.6 miles) from Paradise Pool to Headwaters trailhead

• Time: Varies (not recommended)

• Rating: Hazardous (for experienced hikers only)

• Description: Closed by BC Parks due to a dangerous bridge, the Upper Carmanah Basin route in Carmanah Valley is for seasoned adventurers. From Paradise Pool, it crosses Carmanah Creek via a log bridge, treacherous in high water, to the east side, where wet conditions prevail. At 1 km, Mystic’s Hollow Camp sits on a gravel bench. Crossing August Creek over a logjam, the route ascends to benchland, descending to Sleepy Hollow campsite by Maxine Creek. A blowdown of windfallen hemlock precedes a box canyon with pools and cascades, leading to Camp Patience. The Headwaters trailhead, 3.3 km away, is near Hummingbird Camp, where the Western Canada Wilderness Committe studied marbled murrelet nests. A planked trail with builders’ names marks the end, but the unsafe bridge makes this trailhead hiking

• e risky, especially for hiking in winter.

The Walbran Valley offers unmaintained hiking trails built by Carmanah Forestry Society volunteers to showcase giant trees before logging threats. These park trails, averaging 3 hours 4 minutes, are ideal for experienced hikers seeking things to do in Vancouver Island.

West Walbran Trail (Including Anderson Lake Trail)

• Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 miles) one way from Fletcher Falls to Haddon-1000

• Time: 3-4 hours

• Rating: 2 D (challenging, unmaintained)

• Description: Starting near the Walbran Creek bridge by Fletcher Falls, the West Walbran Trail ascends alongside the waterfall, with side trails offering stunning views. After fording a stream, the trail enters the park, becoming muddy with crisscrossing roots. The Giggling Spruce campsite, among Sitka spruce, is the first wilderness camping spot. Crossing Central Walbran Creek (Botley Creek) may require wading, leading to a junction with the Central Walbran Trail. Hikers glimpse Fetus Lake before reaching Maxine’s Tree, a massive Sitka spruce named for Syd Haskell’s daughter. The Anderson Lake Trail segment reaches Anderson Lake, with a gravel campsite. Past the lake, navigation is tricky through marshy terrain to Camp Perfection near the Haddon-1000 trailhead, a highlight for road trip destinations in British Columbia.

• Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles) one way from Botley Lake to West Walbran Trail junction

• Time: 2-3 hours

• Rating: 2 D (challenging, unmaintained)

• Description: Accessed via a rough spur road off Walbran Mainline, the Central Walbran Trail starts near Botley Lake in Walbran Valley. Passing Botley Lake, it winds to Auger Lake, where a grove of western cedars stands. Beyond Auger Lake, the trail becomes a rough route, requiring route-finding to reach the West Walbran Trail junction. Washouts and fallen trees make this park trail suitable only for experienced hikers, offering a compact hiking paradise for things to see on Vancouver Island.

• Distance: 7.1 km (loop)

• Elevation Gain: 257 m

• Time: ~2 hours 9 minutes

• Rating: Moderate

• Description: Opened in 2016, the Harriet Nahanee Memorial Trail honors Harriet Nahanee, a First Nations woman who helped preserve Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park’s old-growth forests. Located in Walbran Valley, this hiking trail starts near the Walbran River, where a 1988 standoff halted logging. A superb boardwalk transitions to a forest floor path, leading to the Tolkien Giant, a massive western red cedar. Steep climbs reveal cedars clinging to vertical slopes, followed by the Marblerock Canyon and Monster Jam, a dramatic log jam. In summer, low river levels allow exploration of the Limestone Canyon, showcasing the Walbran Valley’s karst formations. Passing through proposed cutblocks, the trail educates on conservation, making it a poignant nature trail. Hikers can return via the main path or a challenging upper bench route through cutblocks, offering a unique perspective on this beautiful place. Pet-friendly and secluded, it’s ideal for hiking Vancouver Island adventurers seeking things to do in British Columbia. As one hiker might say, “Standing before the Tolkien Giant, you feel the forest’s ancient heartbeat, a legacy worth protecting.”

• Emerald Loop Trail: A short loop to the Emerald Giant tree and Emerald Pools of the Walbran River, perfect for a lunch stop or summer swim.

• Walbran Falls Trail: Winds through giant cedars to the base of Walbran Falls, with camping spots and upper falls access via volunteer-crafted cedar boardwalks.

• Castle Grove Trail: An out-and-back trail to the Castle Giant western red cedar, over 1,000 years old and 5 meters in diameter, accessible only in low river conditions.

• Anderson Lake Trail (from Castle Grove): A 13 km (8 mi), 6-hour loop accessed from the Castle Grove Trail, cleared in 2018, offering a challenging hike or overnight wilderness camping option.

The park’s trails, winding through a temperate rainforest of giant cedars, hemlocks, and Sitka spruce, are a major draw, though their condition varies:

• Carmanah Valley: Offers a steep descent through towering trees, with some sections requiring scrambling over washouts and slippery, damaged boardwalks. Trails like Valley Mist are blocked by landslides, while others extend to stunning spots like Paradise Pools, requiring bushwhacking and route-finding past maintained sections.

• Carmanah Valley Trail to Heaven Tree: Features well-maintained stretches to the Heaven Tree, with massive Sitka spruce and a magical vibe, though boardwalks are rotting, and some bridges beyond are unsafe. Recent logging has improved road access, cutting travel time.

• Anderson Lake Trail: Praised as stunning and well-marked, this trail leads to a beautiful lake with a gravel beach. It includes boardwalks, cedar stairs, and manageable blowdowns, with summer crossings being easier.

• Harriet Nahanee Memorial Trail: A scenic route with old-growth trees and emerald pools, it ranges from well-maintained with ladders to strenuous sections requiring scrambling over logs and rocks.

• Carmanah Main Trail: Less detailed in reviews, but one visitor found the logging road impassable due to overgrowth and deadfall, suggesting better preparation for future attempts.

Visitors universally praise the trails’ beauty—described as fairy-tale-like or reminiscent of "Avatar" but note challenges like poor maintenance, slippery surfaces, and the need for good boots, agility, and awareness. Some trails are dog-friendly, and parking is easy, though remoteness means they’re rarely crowded.

Camping is a cherished experience, with sites at the parking lot, walk-in locations like Three Sisters and Grunt’s Grove, and along Carmanah Creek’s clear waters. Spots feature gravel and sandy banks ideal for tenting, with some offering bear caches. However, BC Parks removed the water pump, so visitors must bring their own water. The peaceful setting, surrounded by old-growth trees and river sounds, is a highlight, though the remote location requires self-sufficiency. Upper valley walk-in sites and camping near the trailhead are also recommended, with mosquitoes noted in the evening.

Wildlife in the park is subtle due to the dense forest habitat. Sightings are rare but include bears on roads or near campsites, elk grazing nearby, and trout in Anderson Lake. The quietness—few birds or mammals—enhances the serene atmosphere, though some mention bear sign in cut blocks or wasps near trails. Visitors advise being bear-aware, while the lack of abundant fauna lets the focus remain on the towering trees and lush forest floor of ferns and mosses.

The atmosphere is a standout feature, described as peaceful, surreal, magical, and spiritual. The sensory experience—forest smells, river sounds, and sunlight through the canopy—deeply moves visitors, some likening it to Middle Earth or a northern rainforest. Massive trees, some over 7 feet in diameter, inspire awe, though a few report an eerie feeling at dusk or a sense of being watched, adding mystique. The park’s remoteness and neglect by BC Parks heighten its untouched, otherworldly charm, though some lament fallen trees like one of the Three Sisters.

Challenges are significant and oft-mentioned:

• Roads: Difficult, with potholes, sharp rocks, and logging traffic; some faced flat tires or impassable sections due to landslides or overgrowth.

• Trails: Unmaintained beyond certain points, with slippery boardwalks, fallen trees, and confusing flagging tape requiring fitness and nimbleness.

• Safety: Remote conditions demand preparation—spare tires, first aid kits, whistles, water, and food. Weather can worsen trail conditions, and there’s no cell service.

Visitors advise against low-riding vehicles, recommend high-clearance options, and stress caution, especially for the unfit or unprepared. Memorable incidents include a dead tree falling near hikers, wasp nests, and minor injuries like a gouged leg.

The main activities in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park include hiking on trails like the Carmanah Main Trail (1.3 km to T junction), Lower Carmanah Trail to Heaven Tree, Middle Carmanah Trail to Paradise Pool, West Walbran Trail to Fletcher Falls, and Central Walbran Trail to Botley Lake. Wilderness camping at sites like Grunt’s Grove, Giggling Spruce, and Anderson Lake is popular, alongside nature study of giant trees, waterfalls, and pristine lakes. These make the park a top destination for things to do on Vancouver Island.

Subtle—possible bears, elk, and trout. The park’s quietness highlights its flora more than fauna.

Yes—rough roads, unmaintained trails, and isolation. Pack spares, first aid, and emergency supplies; be cautious of logging trucks and bears.

Varies, some are well-maintained with boardwalks, others are rugged with washouts, fallen trees, and slippery surfaces. Fitness and good shoes are key.