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Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

If you're looking for a very flat, well-marked, and easy hike near Nanaimo, this is your trail. Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail is possible close to the river and through the woods. The Nanaimo River Trail is situated in a Douglas fir forest, the paradise of explorers, nature lovers, wildlife viewers, and swimmers. The warm and clean water of the Nanaimo River and abundant swimming holes, lagoons, and small beaches make Nanaimo River Trail a great place for hiking. The Trestle, the Power Lines, Rocky Beach, Sandy Beach, the Highway Bridge, and Cedar Bridge are famous swimming holes at the Nanaimo River. Besides hiking, the river provides ample fishing opportunities. Hikers can catch Steelhead, Coho salmon, Cutthroat, and Rainbow Trout, as well as crayfish.

Location of the Nanaimo River Trail

Nanaimo River Trail is located in the Nanaimo River Regional Park, southeast of Nanaimo. The park is a 56-hectare conservation property and one of the few remaining natural forests in the area. It has plenty of parking spots available at the beginning of the trail, where you can start hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail at the entrance of the park, Frey Rd, Nanaimo.

The Most Popular Hiking Trails Near the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

How to Get to the Nanaimo River Trail By Car

From Nanaimo:
Getting to the Nanaimo River Trail from downtown Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 11.7 km (7.2 miles) that takes about 13 minutes.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.4 ft). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S to Morden Rd and drive 8.7 km (5.4 miles). Take Thatcher Rd to Emblem Rd, and after 2.4 km (1.5 miles), you will reach Nanaimo River Regional Park.

From Victoria:
The access to the Nanaimo River Trail from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. The whole route is 104 km (64.6 miles) and takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive 100 km (62.1 miles). Take Thatcher Rd to Emblem Rd, and after 2.4 km (1.5 miles), you will reach Nanaimo River Regional Park.

What you Can Expect to See Near the Nanaimo River Trail

Parksville

Parksville

Nanaimo Lakes

Nanaimo Lakes

Colliery Dam Park

Colliery Dam Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Nanaimo River

Nanaimo River

Beaufort Park

Beaufort Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Bowen Park

Bowen Park

Nanoose Bay

Nanoose Bay

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Neck Point Park

Neck Point Park

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach

Beach Estates Park

Beach Estates Park

Westwood Lake Park

Westwood Lake Park

Kanaka Bay

Kanaka Bay

Details for Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Plan for the hiking trail

What you Can Expect to Do Near the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Protection Island Ferry Whale Watching

Protection Island Ferry Whale Watching

Nanaimo Whale Watching

Nanaimo Whale Watching

Nanaimo Kayaking and Canoeing

Nanaimo Kayaking and Canoeing

Ladysmith Kayaking

Ladysmith Kayaking

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

What Do You Think about Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail?