Parks & Trails in Comox, Courtenay & Cumberland
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

• Mt. Washington Vancouver Island's largest snow ski and snowboard mountain park is the Mount Washington Alpine Resort located 1/2 hour drive just west of Courtenay, BC. Mt Washington is located in Strathcona Park and it is a privately owned resort, open year round with skiing in the winter and backpacking, hiking and mountain biking in the spring, summer and early fall. Mt. Washington is recognized as a top notch ski facility world wide and one of the most popular ski hills in British Columbia, Canada.
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• Strathcona Park. A journey into Strathcona Provincial Park will change outlooks of lives and rekindle lost spirits exploring this amazing 500,000 acre wilderness park located in the middle of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Strathcona Provincial Park is Vancouver Island's biggest park and British Columbia's oldest park and second biggest park. A land of untouched rugged forests, looming mountain peaks with far reaching valleys covered by a complex network of rivers and lakes.
  [ more information about Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada ]
  
  
• Miracle Beach Provincial Park: Miracle Beach Provincial Park connects to Saratoga Beach. Together, both beaches, create miles of sandy fun beaches and relaxing scenic moments. Miracle Beach has over 2 km of hiking trails in the park. The hiking trails lead from the campground and day-use parking lots through second-growth forest.
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• Discovery Islands: The bigger islands of Quadra Island and Cortes Island along with the smaller Read Island, work together, forcing the ocean tides into a powerful bottlenecks creating small rip tides, upwellings and whirlpools. Some great waters for ocean kayaking and boating. The area of Bute Inlet, just tucked behind Stuart Island is a popular area for wildlife viewing kayaking especially Black Bears, Bald eagles, Blue Herons, Elk, etc.
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• Airpark. Local park ideal for walks, roller blading located in the heart of Courtenay, BC. Paved trails around the Comox Harbour exploring the local bird sanctuary. Watch airplanes land and take off while also observing the many airplanes parked for others to view while grounded. Viewing decks along trail ideal for good views for bird watchers, photographers and naturalists. Bald Eagles, Hawks, Ravens and other assorted birds located at the Bird Sanctuary. Access off of Cliff Ave. behind Info Centre.
  
  
• Anderton Park. Great 1.5 acre park within city limits ideal for the young at heart and children. A playground and grassy area for children to play freely. Access at the corner of Stewart and Balmoral Street.
  
  
• Barbours Hole. Forest paths and a deep swimming pool surrounded by large boulders in the Nymph Falls Nature Park. Access via the dirt road before the fish hatchery on Forbidden Plateau Rd.
  
  
• Brooklyn Creek Park. Filled with summer seasons of flowers and natural forests and in the fall watch the Salmon. Access from the east end of
  Comox Rd.
  
  
• Buckley Bay Scenic Drive. Home of the Hornby and Denman Island BC Ferry Terminal. Scenic ocean drive along coastal roads. Visiting Royston and the beautiful village of Union Bay during your drive.
  
  
• Comox Glacier Trail. Natures spectacle. The Comox Glacier Trail is a very challenging backpack and is not to be attempted in one day or by novice hikers. There are guided day tours available from specialized motorized guiding tour companies. Well prepared and fit hikers usually take up to 3 days backpacking to the Comox Glacier. Bring an ice axe and rope. Head west on Comox Lake Main Rd.
  
  
• Comox Marina Park. Boardwalk along the coast, seafood can be purchased at the wharf, beautiful sail boats and yachts line the piers. Located in the heart of Comox off of Wilcox Rd.
  
  
• Courtenay River Estuary. An ideal resting place for a photographer or bird watcher. The area is often home to trumpeter swans, Bald Eagles, Blue Herons and many other marine birds. The Courtenay River Estuary is home to spawning herring which brings the seals and osprey looking for a meal. Access from Courtenay Airpark.
  
  
• Filberg Park. Established in 1929 covering over 9 acres with over 100 different trees, perennials, annuals, herb gardens and rhododendrons. Many paths overlooking Comox Bay. A historic lodge is onsite and picnic areas. Filberg Park has many outdoor events and festivals throughout the year. During summer there is a petting zoo for the children... and us big kids. Access from Comox Avenue.
  
  
• Forbidden Plateau. Mountain biking, hiking and walking. Backpackers can venture deeper as trails are endless. Scenery and mountain forests spectacular. Access from Forbidden Plateau Rd.
  
  
• Goose Spit. Popular local swimming area and sandy beach. Especially ideal surroundings for many activities like swimming, wind surfing, kayaking, beach combing, bird watching, photography. Goose Spit is a popular destination for midnight leisurely beach walks. Access Goose Spit Regional Park from Balmoral Rd onto Hawkins Rd. in the town of Comox, BC.
  
  
• Kin Beach Provincial Park. Great for swimming and picnics. Play areas and cooking shelters available. Pebbles and sandy beaches with available camping and day use facilities. Kin Beach Park is a popular viewpoint to observe Californian and Stellar Sea Lions. Head east on Little River Rd to Kilmorley Rd.
  
  
• Kitty Coleman Provincial Park. A very popular area for swimming, kayaking, boating and hiking. The park is a mixture of Western Hemlocks, Red Cedars and Douglas Fir trees. Kitty Coleman Park has lots of beach areas and great ocean views with picnic areas and a boat launch. Access is north of the area in Merville, BC off the Hwy on Coleman Rd.
  
  
• Kwai Lake. After the 2 km Lake Helen-Mackenzie hike you can continue on a less traveled trail for another 2 hrs reaching the shores of Kwai Lake.. Camping is allowed.
  
  
• Kye Bay. Low tides give birth to sandy beaches and tide pools filled with marine life. Swimming and picnic tables.
  
  
• Lake Helen Mackenzie-Battleship Lake Loop Trail. Muddy at times and some hill climbs in this 2 hr lake view hike. Access by parking lot at Nordic Lodge in Strathcona Park
  
  
• Lazo Road Scenic Drive. Beautiful scenic drive along the shores of Comox Harbour. Lazo Road leads to some forested trails through natural woodlands and marshlands. Stop at the viewpoints and watch the assortment of sea birds in natures natural estuary.
  
  
• Lewis Park. Two large totem poles guard the entrance. Outdoor pool and playground with grassy area located on the Puntledge River. Follow the Island Hwy over the bridge that connects Courtenay and Comox.
  
  
• Mack Laing Nature Park. 7 acres of trails, little bridges, stairways in a natural wilderness setting with info boards on the local flora located through out. Access from the east end of Comox Rd.
  
  
• Medicine Bowls Trail. Three waterfalls born from Browns River carved out by the force of nature and rushing currents. Medicine Bowls Trail is a great hike for novice walkers offering spectacular views after a short 2 km walk on a dirt road at the end of Forbidden Plateau Road west of Courtenay, BC.
  
  
• Nymph Falls Nature Park. Well maintained mountain biking, hiking and walking trails. Nymph Falls Park is an extensive network of trails for all skill levels spanning over 55.4 acres of wilderness heaven. A shorter loop trail is also available leading to the fish ladders and Nymph Falls. Access from Forbidden Plateau Rd.
  
  
• Paradise Meadows Loop Trail. Comfortable well groomed sub alpine trail system stretching for 2 km. Paradise Meadows offers spanning mountain views, a variety of wilderness flowers and wildlife viewing. Paradise Meadows Loop Trail involves visits to Battleship Lake and Lake Helen Lake. 1 hr of the walk is on well marked sawdust and boardwalk trails. Paradise meadows is located in Strathcona Park, west of Courtenay, BC.
  
  
• Pioneer Memorial Park. Steep hiking path to ocean. Check your brakes. Or just take in the views of the bay from the top. Access off of Manor Drive.
  
  
• Port Augusta Park. 1 acre park on the waterfront with grassy area and great views of the bay and mountains. Access from Beaufort St.
  
  
• Puntledge Park. A great network of trails following the Puntledge River and Comox Valley pipeline. Puntledge Park has many well groomed and easy walking trails. There are areas with wilderness scenic views. Puntledge Park is great for children because of the play area with swings. Many people use areas of Puntledge River for launching kayaks, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and wildlife viewing. Access off of either Comox Logging Road or Lake Trail Road in Courtenay, BC.
  
  
• Salish Park. Great for casual walk through groomed trails and over quaint bridges in a grassy setting. Access at the corner of Guthrie and Nootka St.
  
  
• Seal Bay Park. A massive network of groomed trails covering over 714 hectres. Seal Bay Park offers both ocean trails and forested trails exploring deep ravines and valleys. Many trails are not marked. Seal Bay Park has some wheel chair accessible trails. Seal Bay also has some beach access trails with stairs and handrails in some areas. Access from Bates Road.
  
  
• Rosewall Creek Hiking Trails. A forested 63 hectre nature wilderness park with a waterfall viewing area. Some trails are wheel chair accessible. Access is 30 km south of Courtenay, BC off the Oceanside Route Hwy.
  
  
• Standard Park. Two areas for children. And large playground. Picnic area. Access at the corner of 14th St. and Cliffe Ave.
  
  
• Stotan Falls. Short trails leading to waterfalls carving and eroding the rock. Great for suntanning on large boulders in the summer and spectacular scenery during the fall in the forceful currents. Access via Lake Trail Rd to Duncan Bay Main Rd.
  
  
• South Comox Lake Park. Fantastic sandy beaches, floating raft with a diving board and surrounded by log boom. Popular water skiing area. Located in the township of Cumberland.
  
  
• Tsable River Bridge. The largest single-celled bridge in North America. Coolest thing... it was built from the centre out so not to interfere with the natural habitat and the wildlife. Located just south of Buckley Bay.
  
  
• Tsolum River. An easy navigated trail system following the Tsolum River through old growth forests. Tsolum River has many swimming holes and is a popular gathering place for horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers. Access from Headquarters Rd in Courtenay, British Columbia.
  
  
• Trent River Falls Trail. A 10 km round trip hiking trail used widely by horse back riders and mountain bikers of the area. Trent River Trail treats all visitors to a 30 foot waterfall surrounded by cliffs. Beautiful scenic area great for swimming in private pools and for cliff diving. Access from the south of Courtenay near Royston, BC onto Briardale Rd.
  
  
• Wellington Colliery Railroad Trail. An adventure hiking historic railbeds through the village of Cumberland, BC visiting with the Chinatown Marsh on the way to Coal Beach and Whites Bay. Wellington Colliery Railroad Trail is ideal for mountain bikes with some challenging areas. Access from Jumbo's Cabin on Comox Lake Rd.