The Newcastle Ridge is a mountain ridge and part of the Vancouver Island Ranges, located north of Vancouver Island. It is placed between the Adam River and Sayward on the south side of the Johnstone Strait.
The Newcastle Ridge offers perfect climbing and hiking through the beautiful forested hills winding around ponds and tarns surrounded by incredible mountains overlooking the Johnstone Strait. The Newcastle Ridge area is packed with enormous, gorgeous trees garnished by colourful birds and bountiful wildlife.
The ridge is an isolated subalpine area with access to its central summit by a logging road. The highest peak of Newcastle Ridge, unofficially named Newcastle Peak, has an elevation of 1333 m (4373 ft).
Visitors would have fun taking a tour to the north of the range where the Adam River is located, flowing into the Johnstone Strait and south to the Amor de Cosmos Creek. Perfect fishing is available at these two rivers and the adjoining part of the Eve River and the Adam River, such as cutthroat and rainbow. Also, at the Adam River and Amor de Cosmos, campsites are provided for pitching a camp to enjoy the range's pleasant ambiance after some days of touring or as a base to start your journey.
The Newcastle Ridge is located on the northern Vancouver Island adjacent to the Johnstone Strait between the Adam River and Sayward. The Eve River, which is the main tributary of the Adam River, is northwest of the Newcastle Ridge, merges with the Adam River and flows into the Johnstone Strait. It has a beautiful ambiance to hike along or pitch a camp on and have excellent fishing.
The east bank of the Adam River's mouth, where it flows into the Johnstone Strait, is the territory of Heylahte Indian Reserve No.3. Birds, salmon, and berries are abundant in the Adam River and the Eve River; that's why it was named "land of plenty" by Kwak' waka First Nation.
Amor de Cosmos Creek, located south of the range, offers perfect fishing and camping and is a hot spot for watching salmon runs.
Pye Lake, McCreight Lake, and Stella Lake are within 35 km (21.7 miles) south of the Newcastle Ridge, on which visitors would have a lot of rooms for camping. The lakes are surrounded by trees packed with colourful birds and bountiful wildlife, great for catching fish and enjoying canoeing and kayaking in the calm waters.
25 km (15.5 miles) west of Newcastle Ridge, Schoen Lake Provincial Park offers many things to do as excellent skiing and snowshoeing north of its campsite.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to the Newcastle Ridge from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is a 257 km (159.6 miles) route and takes about 2 hours and 48 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N. After 3.3 km (2 miles), turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R) and drive 238 km (147.8 miles). Continue on Rooney Lake Rd. Take Lower Adam Rd to M20 Rd and drive 16 km (9.9 miles) to Newcastle Ridge.
From Victoria:
Getting to the Newcastle Ridge from Victoria is via BC-19A N. It is 367 km (228 miles) and takes almost 4 hours and 7 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 1.2 km (0.7 miles), take BC-19 N to Rooney Lake Rd in Mount Waddington D. Drive 350 km (217.4 miles) and Continue on Rooney Lake Rd. Take Lower Adam Rd to M20 Rd for 16 km (9.9 miles) to reach Newcastle Ridge.
There is no designated hiking trail to reach Newcastle Ridge.
As the Newcastle Ridge is placed on northern Vancouver Island, it is home to the traditional territory of the people of Kwakwakaʼwakw. They are known as Kwakiutl's First Nation, and their language consists of four dialects. Due to their language consisting of four dialects, they are known as Kwakʼwala-speaking peoples. The Matilpi Tribe of Kwakwaka'wakw People lived in the Klaywatse village on an island in the Adam River's estuary, west of today's Heylahte Indian Reserve No.3.
Visiting the Newcastle Range would be fun due to its incredible mountains offering excellent climbing. While you are ascending the mountains in Newcastle Ridge, the impressive vista of surrounding mountains overlooking the Johnstone and hills covered with trees is fascinating.
Climbing is possible in the Newcastle Ridge besides skiing and snowshoeing in a small sub-alpine area at the nearby Schoen Lake Provincial Park.
Hiking is excellent, winding through the beautiful, packed trees around the lakes and tarns within the range and along the nearby lakes.
At the Adam Lake and Amor de Cosmos Creek, mountaineers would find plenty of rooms to pitch a camp. It's also possible to enjoy perfect fishing of various types such as cutthroat and rainbow. For paddling adventures, paddlers can put their boats to the nearby lakes, creek, and park.
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.
The Prince of Wales Range is a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges, and the highest summit is Hkusam Mountain. Hiking up to the magnificent mountain peaks within the Prince of Wales Range offers astonishing views of surrounded peaks with a 180-degree view of the Johnstone Strait from south to north and Sayward Valley as your backdrop.
The Halifax Range is a small mountain range consists of hills covered by gorgeous trees. The area is ornamented with wildlife like elk, dear, bear, and many bird species. While ascending the mountain, mountaineers will be refreshed by the Halifax Range's pleasant ambiance overlooking the Johnstone Strait. McCreight Lake and Pye Lake are nearby suitable for camping with facilities.
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.
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Hiking on the Mount Menzies Access Road through a logging road and having a forest walk is a challenge you can take near the Campbell River. The trail and the view from the lookout are incredible in colours. Get away from the humans by going on a beautiful trail which is nice and quiet!
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.
Sayward Valley is located in northern Vancouver Island. Mount H'Kusam, the Salmon River and Kelsey Bay are the hit in Sayward, what you shouldn't miss. Natural surroundings and access to the waterways and Mount H'Kusam, allowing opportunities like bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, caving, hiking, camping, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife viewing and photography.
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.
The Prince of Wales Range is a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges, and the highest summit is Hkusam Mountain. Hiking up to the magnificent mountain peaks within the Prince of Wales Range offers astonishing views of surrounded peaks with a 180-degree view of the Johnstone Strait from south to north and Sayward Valley as your backdrop.
The Halifax Range is a small mountain range consists of hills covered by gorgeous trees. The area is ornamented with wildlife like elk, dear, bear, and many bird species. While ascending the mountain, mountaineers will be refreshed by the Halifax Range's pleasant ambiance overlooking the Johnstone Strait. McCreight Lake and Pye Lake are nearby suitable for camping with facilities.
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.
The first step to find happiness in nature is to get connected with it. An outdoor adventure can be found anywhere, but for relaxation, rest, and tranquillity, don't skip Brewster Lake. This serene lake with mountain views is the right place for canoeing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, power-boating, or anything you expect from a beautiful lake.