Cathedral Grove MacMillan Provincial Park

Cathedral Grove is a network of short rainforest wilderness walking trails weaving in amongst moss covered fallen trees covered in blankets of ferns. The Cathedral Grove Park is over 157 hectares in size and is designed to protect the Douglas Fir old-growth forest on east Vancouver Island and within the Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Zone.

The wind storms coming off the west coast of Vancouver Island have reeked havoc on the Cathedral Grove over many years, as many trees have fallen from the powerful coastal storms that sweep through the valley. The surviving trees, some of which are over 800 years old, populate the skyline of MacMillan Park casting far reaching shadows over the walking trails explored by thousands of visitors a year. One of the oldest Douglas Fir trees in Cathedral Grove is 9 metres in diameter and depicts the stories about the way it use to be for the forested area.

Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park is an excellent resource for experiencing the lush worlds of nature and the many mini eco-systems that exist within a rainforest. An excellent forest eco-system laden in forest sounds and smells of the west coast forests.

The # 4 Highway divides Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park into two sections. There is road side parking available, but beware of the traffic when crossing the highway as it is heavy and ongoing. Cathedral Grove, enjoys on one side of the highway, tall 800 year old Douglas Fir trees, lush fields of ferns and on the other side are Red Cedar trees in amongst fallen timbers. The beginning of the journey in Cathedral Grove usually starts at the interpretive sign at the trailhead of the park outlining the history of the area.

The walking trails are located on both sides of the highway and are well groomed and well marked with wooden rails guiding the exploration deeper into the forests. The park has some viewing platforms elevating your views so to better observe the lush rainforested area and the rebirth, regeneration of the forest lands under the guidance of the giant Douglas Fir trees.

The trails are wheel chair accessible. There are washrooms on site. The Cathedral Grove area is a treasure to the west coast that is a popular stopping gap on the way to Port Alberni and the Pacific Rim areas.

Cathedral Grove does not have camping facilities, picnic area, no showers and no sani-station. Campfires are a no-no in this park and smoking is prohibited. Pets must be leashed at all times.

How to get to Cathedral Grove

Cathedral Grove located in MacMillan Provincial Park is located 15 kilometres east of Port Alberni, British Columbia on the # 4 Highway which divides the park into two sections. From the Inland and Oceanside Highways near Parksville and Qualicum Beach take any of the Tofino, Coombs or Port Alberni exits.