Nestled at the heart of a lush green forest, you can find the magical caves of Artlish. It is heaven for cavers with beauty and challenge, excitement and educating it has, all of them couped up in one place. Artlish Caves is Canada's largest active river cave system and one of the largest caves on Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, the entrances to the caves are not marked, and finding them is not easy.
The water runs deep in the caves and makes the inside of the caves cooler and more mysterious. The running water is why these caves were carved out from the ground, and it's still happening. The water is still carving its way through the ground; a long time from now, the caves will be much bigger than they are right now.
Artlish Caves has an incredible ecosystem. Inside each cave, bats, spiders, and other life forms live in darkness. You can see them if you sharpen your eyes and use a powerful flashlight.
Artlish Caves is located in Artlish Caves Provincial Park, Woss, British Columbia, Canada. The caves are about 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) north of Zeballos. Access to the caves has become increasingly harder recently since the logging roads to the caves are deactivated. If you go about 80 kilometres (50 miles), you find yourself at Port McNeill. By going 78 km (48 mi), you reach the closest city to the park, Woss. The Artlish River runs through Artlish Caves Provincial Park. It gives life to the forest, which is abundant and lovely and the perfect space for hiking or walking. Although the park is pet and kid-friendly, the caves are not.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is 336 km (206.7 mi) and takes about 4 hours.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 mi) and turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive 302 km (187.6 mi) and take Atluck Rd to your destination in Comox-Strathcona G. After 31 km (19.2 mi), you will reach Artlish Caves Provincial Park.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria is via BC-19 N. It is 446 km (277.1 mi) and takes about 5 hours and 23 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.74 mi). Drive from BC-19 N to Woss for 414 km (257.2mi) and take Atluck Rd to your destination in Comox-Strathcona G. After 31 km (19.2 mi), you will reach Artlish Caves Provincial Park.
"Artlish Caves" trail with 7.2 kilometres (4.4 miles) length and 197 m (646.3 ft) of elevation gain is an out-and-back near Strathcona A. It features beautiful wildflowers and has a difficulty level of moderate. The trail is suitable for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Dogs are also welcome to use this path but must be on a leash. The trail is not maintained and uneven and through an overgrown forest. Besides, accessing the trail is also very hard because there are no signs or marks. Since you would have to hike on the logging roads, remember that loaded logging trucks have the right of way. So be very careful because logging trucks are just one of the many dangers on logging roads.
Artlish Caves is part of the traditional territory of the Kyuquot/Checleset First Nation. The Artlish name comes from the A'licath (Artlish) natives, part of the Kyuquot confederacy. The first mention of the caves was in 1932; however, the caves were known to local hunters, miners, and timber cruisers before that. As the caves became more popular, there were concerns about the potential damage by timber harvesting. It eventually led to the establishment of Artlish Caves Provincial Park in 1966.
The activities are as peaceful and relaxing as the park itself.
Caving is the best and most interesting activity in Artlish Caves Provincial Park. Explore the underground and uncover the secrets of the deep caves.
Hiking is one of the simplest activities, but doing it in Artlish Caves Provincial Park can be challenging since the trails are somewhat dangerous and uneven.
You are in for good and fruitful fishing in the generous Artlish River if you have the proper licence. The park is home to various types of animals and birds. Protecting and sheltering them during winter, spotting the animals or birds is an experience you will never forget.
As it is said, "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." Did you know it takes a long process for a cave to be created? Artlish Caves is no exception. It is the largest active river cave in Canada, and the running water is why these series of caves were carved out from the ground, which is still happening. While you are inside the caves, sharpen your eyes to find bats, spiders, and other creatures in the darkness.
If you desire to search for hidden parts of nature to discover exciting facts, Coral Cave is a suitable option. Before stepping into it, you need to have caving skills. The beauty of the cave is doubled by the stunning rainforest that surrounded the entrance. While you are inside, you may see the flooded parts of the cave. Let's get into it to find more and realize the time effect for thousands or millions of years.
Are you among the curious people? If the answer is yes, you are at the right place. Knowing what could be in a cave and its end is a desire a caver can not deny. Deep inside the mountain, find the stones endured from the natural elements. The water runs deep in the caves, carving its way through the mountain and polishing the rocks' rough edges. Want to explore it for more? Plan visiting Little Huson Caves, a series of mysterious caves.
Devote more time, get a challenging goal for yourself, and pack your equipment. It is time to face the longest and deepest cave on Vancouver Island, Thanksgiving Cave. Caving inside this mostly tight and beautiful cave is not a beginner's suitable exploration, but for an expert caver, the adventurers' rush worth any trouble. If you are a beginner, don't worry. Tahsis is the caving capital of Canada, so you have different chances nearby.
Mount Cain is one of the pioneer points for snowmobiling in Vancouver Island for modern snowmobile engines. The good news is that snowmobiling in Mount Cain full of endless excitement, and you can enjoy the rare beauty of its nature while surfing the snow.
Mount Cain Ski Resort is a snow-capped location on the northern part of Vancouver Island, in which you can experience a new sense of winter activities, snowboarding in particular. It boasts a wide range of snowboarding facilities, and skis, poles, helmets and boots are rented near Mount Cain and are available at nearby ski shops.
Mount Cain ski resort is a suitable place for snowshoeing and a renowned destination for snowshoeing followers. Take the risk of exploring a non-patrolled wilderness area and enjoy the spectacular surroundings and natural habitat. Mount Cain has the highest base elevation of any coastal ski resort in British Columbia, Alaska, and Washington.
As the only community-owned and operated ski resort, Mount Cain has heavy snowfall in winter, making it an ideal place to experience winter activities. The breathtaking slopes of Mount Cain, besides various trails and logging roads, multiply the skiing attractiveness in this location. The drier snow condition of Mount Cain makes it a better place for spring skiing.
Enjoy different windsurfing right on the waters of the deepest lake on Vancouver Island. Nimpkish Lake is placed near a recreational site on the Western Forest, in which you are provided with ample opportunity to do different outdoor activities. Not to mention the eye-catching mountain views and wilderness areas that are offered in the lake's vicinity.
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Woss is situated along a trade route to link the east and west coasts of North Vancouver Island. The area is so famous for its superb scenery, especially during summertime. Woss offers many lakes, pristine wilderness parks, and mountains and has excellent opportunities for hiking, climbing, boating, windsurfing, kiteboarding, skiing, snowboarding, and camping.
The Sutton Range is a group of mountains and a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges that form the greater Insular Mountains. The amazing rock formation and alpine scale make the mountains within the range perfect for climbing. While you're atop Sutton Peak, Victoria Peak, Warden Peak, and mainland coast mountains are within your sight.
Located north of Woss, Mount Elliot Ecological Reserve has about 324 hectares (800 acres) area. It was established in 1989 to preserve representative old-growth montane forests and a small self-contained subalpine drainage, including Tsitika Lake, in its natural state. Nature observation, hiking and photography are permitted in Mount Elliot Ecological Reserve.
As it is said, "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." Did you know it takes a long process for a cave to be created? Artlish Caves is no exception. It is the largest active river cave in Canada, and the running water is why these series of caves were carved out from the ground, which is still happening. While you are inside the caves, sharpen your eyes to find bats, spiders, and other creatures in the darkness.
If you desire to search for hidden parts of nature to discover exciting facts, Coral Cave is a suitable option. Before stepping into it, you need to have caving skills. The beauty of the cave is doubled by the stunning rainforest that surrounded the entrance. While you are inside, you may see the flooded parts of the cave. Let's get into it to find more and realize the time effect for thousands or millions of years.
Are you among the curious people? If the answer is yes, you are at the right place. Knowing what could be in a cave and its end is a desire a caver can not deny. Deep inside the mountain, find the stones endured from the natural elements. The water runs deep in the caves, carving its way through the mountain and polishing the rocks' rough edges. Want to explore it for more? Plan visiting Little Huson Caves, a series of mysterious caves.
Devote more time, get a challenging goal for yourself, and pack your equipment. It is time to face the longest and deepest cave on Vancouver Island, Thanksgiving Cave. Caving inside this mostly tight and beautiful cave is not a beginner's suitable exploration, but for an expert caver, the adventurers' rush worth any trouble. If you are a beginner, don't worry. Tahsis is the caving capital of Canada, so you have different chances nearby.
Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is a recreation zone with a great unspoiled nature and a rugged wilderness setting located southwest of Nimpkish Lake, the deepest lake on Vancouver Island. This spectacular park is home to various trees valuable for the environment and black bears, black-tailed deer and a wide range of wildlife. Some parts of the park are open to hunting for specific species.
The Karmutzen Range is a subrange of Vancouver Island Ranges. While visiting the Karmutzen Range, you will be fascinated by surrounding mountains winding through a beautiful old-growth forest and enormous trees. The area is a paradise for mountaineers. Up at the peaks, the view includes the trees covering the hills and Nimpkish Lake that lying within Nimpkish Valley walls.
The Hankin Range provides full of perfect adventurous sports such as mountain skiing with a snowboard store available. The area offers thrilling winter sports with plowed roads through the alpine forest. Visitors will experience peace at the non-motorized recreational place. The Hankin Range offers both tree skiing and skiing with uninterrupted terrains.
Little Huson Cave Regional Park is a complete package located in Nimpkish Valley. You can explore 15 caves, have water activities in Nimpkish Lake and enjoy your time at the park or even mountain ranges in the area. The scenery features unique rock bridges and rock arches, flowing water, natural bridges and deep pools filled with crystal-clear green water from Huson Lake.
The Haihte Range overlooking Tahsis and Zeballos is home to some of the largest remaining glaciers on Vancouver Island. It experiences many cloudy days due to being close to the coast. The high terrain, including long aesthetic lines, is perfect for skiing at the lower glacier shelves, and visitors would enjoy excellent alpine climbing at jagged spires along the main ridge.
The Franklin Range is a subrange of Vancouver Island, perfect for mountain climbing. It is located southwest of the Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight. Start a fantastic adventure by launching a boat at Telegraph Cove, having pleasant hiking through gorgeous forest, and step into the breathtaking ambiance of Franklin Range shrouded with clouds and covered by trees.
The Bonanza Range is a small mountain range. While approaching the Bonanza Range, you will experience a beautiful wilderness passing through the Tsitika River and Bonanza Lake. The area is a paradise dotted with gorgeous lakes and tarns winding through alpine and subalpine mountain forests having spectacular views of incredible snow-capped mountains.
Being in nature is one of the pleasures that one can have either for his leisure time or improving knowledge. Make better use of your time visiting Nimpkish Lake, the deepest lake on Vancouver Island. Track black-tailed deer, black bears, and other animals and watch birds. Enjoy freshwater fishing, hiking, cross country skiing, and mountaineering.