Horne Lake Caves are the parts of the earth's essence with their magical crystal formations directly sign of time passage. We're talking about thousands or millions of years, and if you want to get connected more with lathes history, then look forward to seeing ancient fossils.
Horne Lake Caves consist of about 1000 caves, and the biggest are the Main and the Lower Main. The caves have several water puddles that are clear evidence of stalactite formation, stalactites, and stalagmites in beautiful shades of colour throughout the cave create a striking view.
Since there are no lights installed in the caves, it's best to wear a headlight to see the cave more clearly and navigate your way in the caves. When you're in the caves, be mindful of the narrow passages it may tear your clothes. Some parts of the Main and Lower Main are tricky and require special equipment like ropes for coming down or going up from the high parts.
Horne Lake Caves is located at 3905 Horne Lake Caves Rd, Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada. The caves are situated in Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, right by Horne Lake, in the heart of the mountain surrounding the water. The mountains are covered with trees. The combination of clear blue sky, the lake's calm surface and the green mountain make it photogenic.
The area has a lot to offer, and you can enjoy yourself with more than just one landmark. The closest attractions to Horne Lake Caves are McLean Mill National Historic Site, Spider Lake Provincial Park, MacMillan Provincial Park, and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park with its beautiful Little Qualicum Falls.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route from Nanaimo to Horne Lake Caves is via BC-19 N. It is 73 km (45.3 miles) and takes about an hour.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 miles) and turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). After 56.3 km (34.9 miles), follow Horne Lake Rd and Horne Lake Caves Rd to your destination. Drive 13.6 km (8.4 miles) more to reach Horne Lake Caves.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 183 km (113.7 miles) and takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes.
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 Nanaimo H for 169 km (105 miles). Continue Horne Lake Rd and Horne Lake Caves Rd to your destination, and after 13.6 km (8.4 miles), you will reach Horne Lake Caves.
There is an easy level out and back trail to reach Horne Lake Caves. Its length is 3 km (1.8 miles) and starts at the parking lot, goes through the scenic forest, and continues to gain elevation as you reach the hills and mountains. There are many entrances to the caves; for example, the trail to the Main and Lower Main is well-groomed and has a staircase leading to the narrow entrance. The entry of Riverbend Cave is near a small creek, and it's easy to miss it. So the best option would be hiring a guide who will make sure you have seen everything.
The first mention of caves came around the turn of the century. In 1912, a geologist found out about caves' presence at the north end of Horne Lake. Years later, when the people started logging, they knew about the caves.
In 1957, the Horne Lake Caves area of nearly 29 hectares (71.6 acres) was dedicated as a recreation area for the people to continue visiting these caves. After the caves became a well-known attraction, the Canadian Speleological Society urged the provincial government to protect the area. Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park was founded in February 1971.
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is rich with fun and exciting activities such as canoeing or kayaking. People interested in these activities know that the Big Qualicum River runs downstream into Horne Lake, and it's the best place for paddling.
The best activity in this park is caving. Exploring the dark and mysterious underground for educational or recreational reasons could be the experience of your life.
If you're interested in climbing, then visit the Horne Lake Caving Centre, where you can try rock climbing or rappelling.
Cycling is another fun and refreshing activity that you can do but remember that biking is only allowed on the roadway with helmets.
Hiking could be exhilarating when you hike through the fascinating rainforest and uphill to the cave system. It is where you may find fossils or see the cave geological features that tell stories of old ages.
The best place for swimming is in the day-use area; near the Big Qualicum River, there is a shallow area suitable for swimming.
Do you want to see the passage of time through the underground passages? Visit the crystal formations of Horne Lake Caves, right by Horne Lake. With about 1000 caves, it is an underground park that comes to many explorers' attention. Easy, moderate, and hard difficulty levels satisfy any novice to expert caver or spelunker. Search the dark and mysterious underground for educational or recreational purposes.
Hiking on the Rosewall Creek Trail is a rewarding experience that you reach a beautiful waterfall at the end after an easy hike that may consist of challenges. Enjoy the beauties of the park while passing the lovely well-marked trail with facilities, along the creek and through lush bits of the rainforest.
Ranked as the best cold-water diving destination in BC, Nanaimo waters are saturated with new diving experiences. BC Ferries, dive shops, accessible shores, and the chance to observe cute beaches have made Nanaimo an ideal destination for visitors. Diving enthusiasts find themselves in the heavens when they come to Nanaimo, for it is home to spotless diving spots.
For those marine life lovers, Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching is a great opportunity. Participants can ride boats and surf the surrounding waters with the chance to explore the area and observe whales living near Nanaimo due to the high population of orcas and whales around there.
If you got a few days free and you plan to spend it on Vancouver Island, pay a visit to Fillongely Provincial Park to experience every possible way of camping. Nestled amongst lush green deciduous trees, visitors would enjoy excellent hiking trails with picturesque sights. This quiet, clean, and grassy park provides you with exciting activities and a gorgeous ocean and forest view.
Despite its name, if you favour it, you can do tent camping with a sea view right in the center of Vancouver Island. one of the most significant fishing camps, Deep Bay s full of surprises for anglers. Not to mention that if you visit, you can observe various fantastic wildlife there. So, put your hesitates aside, and plan to visit Camping in Deep Bay RV Park this weekend.
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 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.
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.
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.
According to your level of proficiency or your preference, the depths for diving vary from shallow to deep in China Creek. Comprising a wall dive with an incredible view of Port Alberni and amazing marine creatures underneath the water surface multiplies the beauty of this diving experience.
Spend the gladdest moments of your life in Yeo Islands while diving into the waters. Also, you will have the chance to enjoy watching artificial cliffs that have embellished the area's view. Besides, the excellent adventure o diving visitors can benefit from other outdoor excitements and watching various marine life.
Don't just listen to people talking about Wall Beach. Come and see how beautiful this sea lion habitat is. Incredible diving opportunities are provided for both armature and professional divers. The chance to see several diverse marine life there is Wall Beach adds up to the reasons why one should come to this spectacular beach.
If you happen to wander around Nanoose Bay, The Jib Diving site is one of the most attractive diving destinations in the region, with a clean environment and easy access. Moreover, except for the beautiful view of the site, you can enjoy watching a diversity of marine life.
Just a short distance from downtown Nanaimo, you will find fantastic diving opportunities available all year round in Tyee Cove. You can choose the depth you are willing to dive in based on your proficiency level; plus, you are given a chance to explore the marine life inhabiting this diving zone.
Try to lead a life full of endless adventures, and to do so, you can consider Oak Leaf Diving as a means to that end. For those enthusiastic divers who want to explore a new and cozy location, the Oak Leaf Diving zone might be a suitable option to visit, with a magnificent environment and easy access.
Parksville is known for its scenic, superb sandy beaches. This city is also famous for hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, parks, entertainment centres, and many fantastic restaurants and pubs. The city's most popular annual festival is Sandcastle Competition. Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, and Englishman River Falls Provincial Park are among the most visited places.
Nanoose Bay is known as a place to relax with its large pebble beach, somewhere between Nanaimo and Parksville. The scene is stunning, specifically in the evening when the sun meets the ocean. No matters how many times you visited the beach, it is always peaceful and attractive. Nanoose Bay is home to many sea animals, and the beach is perfect for digging up some clams.
An excellent picnicking area and sunny weather attract many families in summer to relax on Qualicum Beach. This sandy beach is placed in an area with many facilities and attractions to enjoy your day. Let life lead you to the beach with the incredible landscape of Lasqueti Island Ecological Reserve hills, blue sky and the ocean. Choose kinds of water activities which you delight in doing.
Wall Beach is a rocky beach north of Nanoose Bay. The peaceful atmosphere gives you an excellent chance to live in the sunshine, feel alive by the ocean air, and relax. It is the best escape anyone can have to get rid of work pressure. Do what makes you happy and improve your health. The beach has a dive site to dive, swim, and explore the rich marine life.
Parksville Beaches is a public beach with endless tidal flats of sand and rock. In July, a fantastic event takes place; the Sand Castle Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. In summer, soaking in the sun and watching the splendid sky could be relaxing. As the beach has an extensive area, it suits children's taste to spend hours running freely, playing and beachcombing.
Mother of nature is so generous when it comes to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. With an old-growth Douglas-fir forest, the park features Cameron Lake, Little Qualicum Falls, and the Little Qualicum River. This stunning park offers a chance for excellent camping. The trails are made up of wooden stairs and gravel sections that lead to the falls making beautiful scenery for photography.
Milner Gardens & Woodland is on the list of the top ten public gardens in Canada. It is among old-growth Douglas fir forest, on the edge of an oceanside bluff. The garden is well known for its rhododendrons in spring and Japanese maples in fall. Strolling through the wide walkways makes a great family time. Enjoy it and have tea in its traditional tea room.
Dolphin Beach is known for its scuba diving site. Whether you are a beginner or professional, challenge your skills and explore marine life. See one of the world's best landscapes since twilight when the beach slowly lit and the sky is getting orange. The beach is more stunning with the trees at the backside and their shadow on the water surface.
Do you want to see the passage of time through the underground passages? Visit the crystal formations of Horne Lake Caves, right by Horne Lake. With about 1000 caves, it is an underground park that comes to many explorers' attention. Easy, moderate, and hard difficulty levels satisfy any novice to expert caver or spelunker. Search the dark and mysterious underground for educational or recreational purposes.
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is covered with old-growth and second-growth forests. It features Englishman River Falls and two bridges that cross the Englishman River. A deep, crystal clear pool with a small rocky beach downstream of the lower falls is a great place to view spawning salmons in the fall and go swimming in the summer.
Englishman River Regional Park is home to numerous wildlife species, like Roosevelt Elk and a community hatchery with an extensive salmon side channel. Peaceful hiking, nice biking, and water sports like fishing and swimming are among the things you can do. Find your place for picnicking or camping and walk with your dog off-leash. Leave your footprint and take your memories.
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park gives you two options; above-ground and underground adventures. Picking one or two can be fascinating. The park with more than 1,000 caves has ancient fossils, marbled passages and a world of crystal formations. Step into the lush green forest with moss-covered rocks and tall trees. Enjoy watching wildlife and do water activities at Horne Lake.
The Somass River is placed in an area with pristine nature and high ecosystem values. Being near the crystal clear water with white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, gorgeous rustic-chic villas, and enchanting, dazzling sunsets can make your day. Have a great experience watching black bears from spring to late fall. Enjoy the Alpine meadow, mountain top views, rain forests, and waterfalls.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is a scenic parkland with tall trees, a campground, and a serene beachfront area suitable for family and friends or solo visitors. The tempting hiking trails among old-growth Douglas fir trees, watching beautiful sunsets by the ocean, and relaxing on the beach are some of the highlights. Extensive wildlife and migratory birds cause a great attraction.
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.