Walking (and Spelunking and Snowshoeing) in a West Coast Winter Wonderland

A foggy walk through Nanaimo's Swy-a-lana. www.bradpowellphoto.com

The beautiful thing about west coast winters is the dramatic weather. One day there’s a foot of snow; the next a torrential downpour; and then a day of bright sunshine and blue skies. But, the best part is the thermometer rarely dips to the “frozen wasteland” temperatures that most of our compatriots have to deal with. And that’s why, even when there’s snow on the ground, we still get to go outside and play. One of my favourite Vancouver Island ways to do that is bundling up and going on a leaf-crunching walk through the plethora of city and wilderness trails that criss-cross the island. 

My favourite Vancouver Island city walk is along the Nanaimo harbourfront. It doesn’t have the grandiose views of Victoria’s Harbour, with the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings, but I’m happier with the unimpeded views across the Strait of Georgia to the sky-scraping North Shore Mountains (or a cosy stroll through foggy winter mornings), as well as the delicious hot chocolate at the marina-side Javawocky Café.   

Head just north of Nanaimo and you’ll discover a plethora of trails between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. You can follow them through old growth forests, by stunning waterfalls, and across rolling rivers where, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch site of the resident eagles swooping in to pick up dinner – even during the winter.

If you’re afraid of small cramped spaces, oh, and the dark, the next hike may not be up your alley. But if you’re up for it then spelunking through the caves at Horne Lake might be just your thing. Be prepared though – this trip isn’t called wet and wild for nothing.

And then there’s Mount Washington and Strathcona Park. Sure you can ski in both places but why not try something a little different (and cheaper) like strapping on the light-weight modern day version of the snowshoe and literally trekking through a winter wonderland. Mount Washington hastrails mapped out for you; the more adventurous can bushwhack through the pristine wilderness of BC’s oldest provincial park – 250,000 hectares of pristine wilderness to be exact.

Photo Credit: www.bradpowellphoto.com