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Adventures... and Stuff in and around Port Alberni, Vancouver
Island, British Columbia, Canada: |
- Pacific
Rim National Park: Pacific Rim National Park consists
of three sections mixing water and land... the Long Beach area,
the Broken Islands and the famous West Coast Trail.The whole
Pacific Rim area encompasses over 13,000 hectares of which only
7,000 is land! The Pacific Rim National Park is a protected
area recognized by the Government of Canada that represents
both the land and marine eco-systems of the area. The Pacific
Rim parks and trails receive over 700,000 visitors a year.
[ ... more information
on the Pacific Rim National Park ]
- Broken
Islands Group: The Broken Group of Islands, in
the Pacific Rim National Park, is considered a very highly popular
kayaking adventure tour with many top kayaking and adventure
magazines singing its praises. Some of the more popular Broken
Group of Islands include Turtle Island, Effingham Island, Gibraltar
Island, Hand Island, Willis Island, Clarke Island and Gilbert
Island.
[ more info on the Broken Islands...
]
- Sproat
Lake: The fresh water lake is just a short
10 minute drive from the city core of Port Alberni, BC village
and is a mainstay of the area for swimming, fishing, kayaking,
water skiing and, even, windsurfing when the winds pick up.
The 43 hectare park of Sproat Lake is surrounded by unique year
round waterfront homes and resorts. Thousands of visitors come
every year to live life on Sproat Lake, even if it is for just
a visit. [ more info about
Sproat Lake ... ]
- Stamps
Falls: Stamp Falls Provincial Park sprawls
out over 327 hectares of forests, rivers and waterfalls. A serene
and peaceful Provincial Park destination ideal for exploring
natures Salmon life cycles at work. Stamp Falls Provincial Park
is cut with 2 kilometres of hiking trails leading you around
the rumbling river, the fast running currents, fish ladders
and the crashing waterfalls.
[ more info about Stamp
Falls ... ]
- Cathedral
Grove. The lush park 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.
[ more info about
Cathedral Grove Park ... ]
- Alberni Forest Information Service. Free
forestry and mill tours available. Discover the rich logging
past of the area. Tel:(250)720-2108
- Alberni Harbour Quay. Ocean side marketplace
with wood carvings, fountain, large towering clock and unique
shops and restaurants. Access from Argyle Rd.
- Alberni Valley Museum. Decorated with
a rich history of the local forestry and fishing industry. Access
from Tenth St. or Wallace Ave.
- Cameron Lake. Fishing, windsurfing and
beaches to explore. Access from Hwy #4 west of Port Alberni.
- Della Falls. Highest waterfall in North
America highlights this area and it's hiking trails. Access
via boat up Great Central Lake.
- Father and Son Lakes. 2 hr hike through
pristine forests and well marked trails to a picturesque lake
setting. Access from logging road 1 hr out of Port Alberni.
- Horne Lake Trail. 10 km moderate trail
through the lush rain forests. Access from Cherry point Rd.,
onto Horne Lake Rd.
- JV Cline Bird Sanctuary. Hundreds of
sea birds inhabit the area. Located across the Alberni Harbour
via boat.
- Kitsuksis Walkway. Captivating views
of countryside and Mt. Arrowsmith circling around Kitsuksis
Creek. Walk along a dyke. Access from Margaret Street.
- Labour Day Trail. Steep 6 km climb for
experienced hikers beneath Mt. Moriarty. Access off of Hwy#4
about 5 km. south of Port Alberni.
- Log Train Trail. 20 km trail great for
hikers and mountain bikers along side Douglas Fir, Western Cedar
and Hemlock trees, through meadows and valleys of the area.
Access from Estevan Rd.
- Martin Mars Water Bombers. Only two of
their kind in the world when it comes to, year round, forest
fire fighting planes. Located on Sproat
Lake off of Hwy #4.
- Mt. Cokely. The experienced hiking adventurers
will enjoy the scenic views of Central Vancouver Island after
the 3 hr. hike through forests and valleys to the summit. Access
45 minute logging road to trail head west of port Alberni.
- Nahmint Lake Scenic Loop Drive. Full
day driving tour through forests and around lakes with many
opportunities to see wildlife in their natural setting.
- Paper Mill Dam Park. Locals flock here
for the beach, swimming and the rock bluffs. Access from Somass
Rd.
- Roger Creek Trail. Easy going 4 km trail
along creek and forested area. Access from Redford Rd.
- Rolling Art Gardens. Japanese gardens
mixed in with west coast flora with footbridges taking you around
among the flowers and garden delights. Corner of 8th and Argyle
St.
- Somass Estuary. Hundreds of waterfowl
and westcoast birds included the beautiful Trumpeter Swan. Located
across from Somass River and viewed from Victoria Quay.
- Victoria Quay. Grassy banks on the Somass
River where you can take in the coastal scenery and at times
watch black bears hunt Salmon during their fall runs. Located
at the end of Johnston Street
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Alberni
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