As a moderate traffic loop trail, the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk is one of the best hiking trails around the Courtenay and Comox Valley region. Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk engages you with fascinating natural attractions. Hiking adventures and running followers will find this place real amazement. Moreover, this location is full of natural trees and eye-catching forests. The picturesque environment, striking views, and breathtaking adventure make the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk a typical hiking trail. The trail is extended for about 7.9 km (4.9 miles) with an overall elevation gain of 62 m (203.4 ft), making it an appropriate and appealing hiking zone for all skill levels. You can take your dog with you but keep it on a leash.
The Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk Location
Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk is a paved and gravel walkway placed east side of Vancouver Island, between Courtenay and Royston along the Comox Harbour. Millard Lookout is where you can park your car and start hiking the trail. The elevation, length of the trail, and accessibility to the urban area make it a proper choice for a family-friendly walk. Hiking, running, and biking are the chances you have on this trail
Hiking Trails Near the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk
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!
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.
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.
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.
How to Get to the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk By Car
From Nanaimo: The fastest route from Nanaimo to Millard Lookout is BC-19 N. It is 108 km (67.1 miles) and takes about an hour.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 miles). Follow BC-19 N to Comox Valley Pkwy N/Cumberland Rd. Take exit 117 from BC-19 N and drive 99.1 km (61.5 miles). Continue on Comox Valley Pkwy N. Take Fraser Rd to Sandpiper Dr in Royston, and after 5.7 km (3.5 miles), you will reach Millard Lookout.
From Victoria: The fastest route from Victoria to Millard Lookout is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 218 km (135.4 miles) and takes about two 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 to Comox Valley Pkwy N/Cumberland Rd. Take exit 117 from BC-19 N and drive 211 km (131.1 miles). Continue on Comox Valley Pkwy N. Take Fraser Rd to Sandpiper Dr in Royston, and after 5.7 km (3.5 miles), you will reach Millard Lookout.
What you Can Expect to See Near the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk
Mount McBride with 2083 m (6834 ft.) height is the seventh highest mountain on Central Vancouver Island. Atop Mount McBride, the 360° panoramic view of Strathcona Provincial Park is rewarding, besides vistas of the highest mountains on Vancouver Island, including Golden Hinde, Mt Colonel Foster, King's Peak, Elkhorn Mountain, and Rambler Peak.
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.
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.
With 27 m (89 ft) height, Elk Falls is as beautiful as a postcard picture placed on the west side of Campbell River among the old-growth Douglas firs and cedar trees. The moss-covered rocks, the deep clear water underneath, and Suspension Bridge stretching across the canyon are deep reflections of a fairyland. Step into the hiking trails and enjoy all other beauties like birds.
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.
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.
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.
The Trent River runs through nature and brings more life to it. The river has a waterfall on its way and merges into the Strait of Georgia. It is fantastic to see the water flowing over the stones and hear the dipper's clear wandering song working along the edge. The Trent River is a beautiful attraction perfect for swimming in summer. There are many fishes in the river, including pink salmon.
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.
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.
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.
Elk Falls Provincial Park is a National Park, a friendly site for hiking in nature trails or enjoying lying in the sun listening to the waterfall's soothing sound. The Suspension Bridge stretching across the canyon below the falls is the highest pedestrian bridge on Vancouver Island. Old-growth Douglas firs and cedars are a prominent visit. This nature park is a year-round salmon fishing destination in Canada.
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.
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.
Details for Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk Trail
Plan for the hiking trail
What you Can Expect to Do Near the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk
Discover your windsurfing spirit while you are in the Deep Bay area. Waterfowl in the winter months have made these protected waters a hot spot for windsurfing. Due to Deep Bay's proximity to Baynes Sound, visitors can enjoy several other outdoor adventures. Also, more recreational opportunities are provided in the park and the golf club nearby.
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.
Being the busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mount Washington provides you with incredible winter activities, including snowshoeing. While you are on the snow, enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Strait of Georgia and the Sunshine Coast from Powell River to Sechelt. Moreover, several nearby resorts are ready to offer service to visitors annually.
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.
Spacious, unique, private, and complete facility sites are provided in Bradsdadsland Campsite for visitors to have a perfect time camping on Hornby Island. Embrace this fantastic opportunity for adventure while you are in one of the gems of Hornby Island. You would feel peaceful while camping in the beautiful Bradsdadsland, away from your daily boring daily routine. While watching sunsets, enjoy the ocean view ahead of you.
Right in between old-growth forests, Elk Falls Provincial Park Campground is best known for its fishery. After you camped and had your relaxing moments, you can take a long walk through the coastline while enjoying the scenery of a beautiful fall that can make your walk more delightful. Also, other recreational activities may make your stay more enjoyable.
In Tribune Bay Campground-Hornby Island, you would have the chance to spend your time on grass or the area covers by green trees. There might be one of the best places to spend time with your family and an excellent opportunity to observe different flora and fauna. The camp is next to a co-op if one needs anything necessary, which is great for campers.
Snowmobilers and sledding enthusiasts have the chance to go snowboarding in the morning and waterskiing in the afternoon. The warm dressing is critical during snowmobiling in Mount Washington. Besides, the fantastic view there is fabulous for photography.
Nestled right in the territory of K’omoks First Nation, the Puntledge RV Campground offers you chances to camp next to a river with a mountain view as your backdrop, which makes it an ideal place to watch how the sun greets the mountains. You can enjoy camping with all facilities provided and no worries for the kids to get hurt. Also, a top-notch adventure is awaiting you.
Looking for a place on Hornby Island to stay the night while enjoying yourselves? You would better stop by camping in Ford's Cove Marina and camp with your RV or tent. This campground has cute oceanic views and glorious sunsets with gorgeous mountains. The Ford's Cove Marina Campground sites are charming, well-maintained, and spacious, with a pleasant grassy and treed atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
As one of the biggest and most visited ski resorts in Comox Valley, The Mount Washington resort is a summer-winter destination primed with several facilities to serve skiing followers. The high rate of snowfall and spectacular views of the ocean, and ample facilities for winter activities multiply the attractiveness of Mount Washington.
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.
As the second busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mt. Washington Ski Resort in Comox Valley offers a wide range of snowboarding facilities. Mountain climbing enthusiasts who choose Mount Washington for snowboarding have the chance to look across the Strait of Georgia and other spectacular views, such as the Strathcona Provincial Park region.
Get on the board of a Zodiac-style vessel while sailing towards the heart of the water to the sea, watch the giant mammals in the world among other marine creatures. While experiencing Campbell River Whale Watching, you will encounter a rare natural beauty home to diverse wildlife. Campbell River, the salmon capital of the world, is the origin of several tours launching into the Strait of Georgia.
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.
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