(Experienced hikers may want the challenge of the 3 day hike up to the glacier. The route is suitable for advanced hikers and mountaineers only.)

Biking
Comox Valley cyclists are blessed with an unlimited variety of opportunities. Gliding through the Valley's diverse geography on a bike offers adventure, challenge and fun for riders of all skill levels.

Popular riding areas include...

Bird Watching

Mitlenatch Island bird sanctuary

Whale Watching

Nearby Islands

Quadra Island

Largest of the Discovery Islands group, Quadra was named after an eighteenth century Spanish Naval officer and close friend to Captain George Vancouver. Today, it provides home to 3000 full-time residents growing in numbers each summer. Interesting and serene, the island has been featured in many of today's popular magazines including Country Living and Westworld both highlighting the island's insatiable charm. Quadra is perfect for bicycles but one shouldn't underestimate distances between points. Maps are readily available at the Visitor Info Centre or during summer months at a small kiosk near the Credit Union at the top of the hill as you debark the ferry.

Quathiaski Cove is your port of call and a former home to a large salmon cannery. You will still see many of the resident's commercial fishing vessels and much activity in preparation for the summer and fall openings.

From here head south to the village of Cape Mudge which is home to the impressive Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre (Ph. 250 285-3733). The museum houses an impressive collection of masks, crafts and potlatch artifacts. Further south is the Cape Mudge Lighthouse which has provided mariners with safe passage through the current swift waters of Discovery Passage since 1898. Along this stretch of beach you will enjoy excellent views back to Campbell River and can look for ancient petroglyphs visible at low tide. A healthy walk will take you as far as Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge built by the Cape Mudge Indian Band where Captain George Vancouver first came ashore to be greeted by the band's ancestors. Driving back towards Heriot Bay stop by Drahanchuk Studios and take time to stroll through the gardens while viewing one of B.C.'s most highly decorated studios. Continue on to Rebecca Spit Provincial Park with its' pleasant walking trails, open fields and excellent swimming and beach side play for those of all ages. The northern part of the island is more remote but you will be rewarded with excellent trout fishing, fresh water canoeing and hiking trails.

The Ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island runs approximately every hour between 6:40am and 10:30pm (11:30pm Friday & Saturday). Fare is $11.50 for a car plus driver, and $4.50 for each additional passenger. These prices are for a round trip, and are subject to change without notice. The crossing takes approximately 15 minutes.

BC Ferries Northern Gulf Islands Schedule

Denman Island

Denman Island is a scenic 10 minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay, one hour north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Visit the BC Ferries website for detailed schedule information.

Fillongley Park is located on the east side of the island. If you explore this eighty-acre park, you will discover huge old growth fir and cedar trees, fern gullies, a native midden and a peaceful meadow surrounded by beautiful heritage trees. In the meadow is the grave of George Beadnell, who homesteaded Fillongley and donated it as a park. Follow the creek trail out of the meadow for an easy circuit of about half an hour, or spend the afternoon beach-combing. The wild flowers in this park are at their best in April & May.

Hornby Island

Hornby Island has been called the jewel of the Gulf Islands. It is noted for its sand beaches, its Summer Festival, its potters, and more recently for its biking experience.

There are accessible sand beaches at Big and Little Tribune Bays and at Whaling Station Bay, as well as gravel beaches, with their abundant intertidal life, at Helliwell Park and Grassy Point. Or you can walk from Ford's Cove to Shingle Spit, but watch the tide!

The Festival, featuring international artists, is held annually in the first two weeks of August in our unique Community Hall. Call the Festival office for details at +1 250.335.2734.

Potters, artists and artisans display their wares in the Marketplace at the Co-op store, or at their studios. Pick up a copy of the Hornby's Own telephone directory for a listing.

The centre of Hornby Island, contains a regional park and reserved forest land with a large network of trails, which are becoming well known for mountain biking. An annual bikefest is held in July, and the trails are used year-round.

Hornby Island is reached by a 10 minute BC Ferry ride from Denman Island.

Mitlenatch Island Provincial Marine Park (Bird Sanctuary)

Mitlenatch Island has long been a favourite place for birders. It is located southeast of Campbell River and west of Black Creek. The island is home to a thriving sea bird colony. From April through August you may find a wide range of flowering plants.

The majority of birds nesting on the island are Glaucous-winged Gulls. They arrive in April and May, with the young arriving and being fed in June and July. A bird blink provides a view of the gull colony area. Also nesting on Mitlenatch Island are about 1,000 Pelagic Cormorants and 600 Pigeon Guillemots. Nesting in smaller numbers are Black Oystercatcher, Northwestern Crow, Song Sparrow, Barn Swallow and Violet-green Swallow. Over 150 bird species have been recorded here, including several hundred moulting and flightless Harlequin Ducks during the summer, and small groups of Rhinocerous Auklet.

This island park is accessible by boat only. Boat charters can be arranged in Campbell River.

All forms of Boating
Kayaking and canoeing are done almost anywhere there is water. Highly maneuverable, kayaks can float in very shallow water. Sea kayaking is very popular. Canoes are heavier than kayaks and a bit larger but are also very popular. Good locations include local lakes.

Comox Valley Kayaks
Phone 250.334.2628
E-mail info@comoxvalleykayaks.com
Web http://www.comoxvalleykayaks.com/

Our friendly shop provides the Valley with quality sea kayak & canoe sales, rentals, lessons and tours. We're open year round. 

Tree Island Kayaking
Phone 250.339.0580

Kayak and canoe lessons, sales and rentals, specializing in eco-paddling tours, providing an opportunity to learn more about all facets of paddling and Comox Valley's natural and cultural history.

Water Skiing

Horseback Riding

Bear Creek Ranch
3061 Macaulay Road
Black Creek, BC V9J 1K9
Phone 250.337.5524

Golf
The Comox Valley is ideally situated for playing golf due to its central location in the mid Vancouver Island area. There are seven golf courses in the Valley, six of which are open year-round due to our mild climate. There are also several other golf courses just minutes away. Although each course is unique, there is one thing they all have in common, spectacular mountain views!

Crown Isle Golf & Country Estates
Phone 250.338.6811
Fax 250.339.6768
E-mail information@crownisle.com
Web http://www.crownisle.com

Crown Isle is an 805 acre Premier Residential Golfing Community. Prestigious Homesites, Villas, PatioHomes plus a full service Clubhouse integrated with an 18 hole championship Golf Course. Pro Shop Toll Free 1-800-378-6811.

Longlands Par 3 Golf Course
Phone 250.339-6363

Manicured 18 holes in parklike setting. Licensed restaurant featuring world's "best fries" and our famous pineapple cake. Great family fun! Rental clubs available. March to October.

Mulligans Public Golf & Driving Range
Phone 250.338-2440

Beautifully groomed 9-hole executive course with licensed clubhouse and large covered driving range. Tee times not necessary.

Sunnydale Golf Course
Phone 250.334-3060
Fax 250.334-3018

Sunnydale is a full 18 hole public golf course, situated 3 miles North of Courtenay on the Island Highway. Facilities include the golf course, driving range, coffee shop and lounge.

Go-Carts
Saratoga Speedway is located half way between Courtenay and Campbell River. They feature a newly renovated, 3/8 mile paved racing oval, and new drag strip. Racing every weekend. April to October. Fastest rental Go-carts in B.C. Great family entertainment.

Saratoga Speedway
Phone/Fax 250.923.2982
Track 250.337.5024

Berry Picking

Scuba Diving
The Comox Valley area is a diver's paradise. Winter is the best time for diving when visibility can reach a high of 25 - 30 metres (80 - 100 ft). Water temperature varies only slightly, from 5 ° Celcius (41 ° Fahrenheit) in winter to 13 ° (55 ° Fahrenheit) in summer.

The area features:

• plenty of boat diving sites off Denman and Hornby Islands and points north
  
  
• an abundance of sea life including Pacific Octopuses and Wolf Eels
  
  
• boat charters, rentals, lessons and air refills
  
  
• dive shops that can supply visitors with detailed information on local dive sites

Scuba diving in the oxygen rich waters of the passage is acclaimed. The Jacques Cousteau Society rated the diving as "Second only to the Red Sea" and National Geographic made these waters the focus of two of it's past features. Noted for excellent water clarity, colour and abundant sea life dive operators now are also able to offer trips to the 366 ft. decommissioned HMCS Columbia, which was sunk in 1996 as part of a program designed by the Artificial Reef Society to increase dive tourism to BC.

Equipment and Rentals:
Beaver Aquatics
Phone: 250.287.7652
Fax: 250.287.8652
www.connected.bc.ca/~baquatics/

Chartering with Earl and Bill:
W.E. Services
Pager: 250.830.1237
Cell: 604.418.8424
www.weservices.bc.ca

The following photos were taken at "Row and Be Damned" and the ferry wreck off Quadra Island (near Campbell River) on June 4, 2000 by long-time Alderite Dave Dye, while chartering with Earl of WE Services. (As with the rest of the site, click the photos for a larger version.)

Day Trips
The Comox Valley is a great central location for exploring Vancouver Island. There is an abundance of things to see and do only a short drive from theValley so visitors can be back in time for supper.

Mt.Washington
Mt.Washington Resort is just 25 kilometres (16 miles) west of the Comox Valley on a newly paved highway called Strathcona Parkway. There is daily bus service up to Mt.Washington during the ski season. Choose from a variety of accommodations. WINTER SEASON (early December to mid April)

Largest ski and snowboard facility on Vancouver Island

42 different runs (25% easier, 40% intermediate, and 35% expert)

All natural snowboard park

Over 40 kilometres (25 miles) of trails for cross country skiers

Rentals available for snowshoeing

All new snow tubing park

Special ski events SUMMER SEASON

Ride the chairlift up the

mountain (late June to October) for spectacular views and then hike or bike back down

Hike the well maintained trails of Paradise Meadows

Bike the system of trails on Mt.Washington (advanced riders only)

Special events such as a music festival and bike meets

Learn about the area at the Interpretive Centre

Mt. Washington Resort
Phone 250.338.1386
Fax 250.338.7295
E-mail ski@mtwashington.bc.ca
Web http://www.mtwashington.bc.ca/

Vancouver Island's Year-round Alpine Destination located 25 km. west of the Comox Valley.

Winter - Downhill, Cross Country Skiing & Snowboarding; Lessons & Rentals; Restaurant, Lounges & Retail Shop; Alpine Accommodations

Summer - Alpine to Ocean View Chairlift Rides; Hike Strathcona Provincial Park; Mountain Bike Riding & Rentals; Alpine Accommodations.

Strathcona Provincial Park
Including Paradise Meadows & Mt.Washington

A trip to Campbell River would not be complete without a visit to British Columbia's oldest provincial park, Strathcona. The two most popular access areas to the park include Highway 28 west which leads into the majority of the park's hiking trails and provincial campsites or Highway 19 south which leads to the alpine terrain of Paradise Meadows. Both are worthwhile and an informative map of the park available at the Visitor Info Centre is to be considered a pre-requisite. Proceeding west of town on Highway 28 towards Gold River you will drive along the banks of Upper Campbell Lake. Stop in at rustic Strathcona Park Lodge for refreshments, canoe and kayak rentals or for up-to-date information on park conditions before venturing further. The road forks a few miles further along with the majority of day and short hike areas along the road that proceeds to Boliden Westmin Mine. Stop for a picture break at Lupin Falls or launch a small boat at the boat ramp and try some fishing near Ralph River. Continuing along to the end of the road you will pass several signs for short hikes culminating in the 3 km hike which brings you to the spectacular sight of Upper Myra Falls. Nearby, you may want to take in a pre-arranged tour offered at Boliden Westmin Mines. Towards Gold River the popular Elk River Trail (22 km return) can be done in a day for expert hikers and takes you to Mt. Colonel Foster and Landslide Lake.

The Paradise Meadows area is located south of Campbell River by taking the Howard Road turnoff and following the signs to Mt.Washington. Although you will encounter a short stretch of gravel road the majority of the trip is paved. Here, well maintained hiking trails lead you through meadows of ancient dwarf fir trees and the always inquisitive Whisky Jacks. Several of the small alpine lakes are stocked with Rainbow Trout for fishers. The year-round Mt.Washington recreation area is also worth a visit. Each summer the island's most popular ski resort transforms itself and offers chair lift rides to the top and back of the mile high mountain offering spectacular vistas of Georgia Strait and the neighbouring Coastal Mountain Range. You may also choose to bike or hike down the trails that criss-cross the mountain.

Horne Lake Caves

Vehicle access to Horne Lake Caves Park is from Qualicum Bay.

Cathedral Grove

McIvor Lake & Elk Falls Park

Only minutes from Campbell River on Highway 28 you will come to the turnoff for Elk Falls Provincial Park. The day-use park is home to Elk Falls, an impressive set of falls culminating in the 90 foot vertical drop into a steep-walled canyon that marks the beginning of the Campbell River. You'll find well-marked trails set amidst giant stands of old-growth timber and several natural clay outcroppings. For those interested in some sun or a swim visit McIvor Lake only a few minutes west along the highway. The lake is popular with locals and offers a variety of activities including areas for swimming, canoeing, water and jet skiing. On your drive home head west for a minute and keep your eye open for Argonaut Road to the left. Driving this road leads back to Campbell River and you can take in the Quinsam Hatchery.

Telegraph Cove

Beautiful Telegraph Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the world for Killer Whale (Orca) watching and is located only a few miles from the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Preserve, Canada's only killer whale sanctuary. Although you are not allowed to enter the sanctuary by land or water the Killer Whales move throughout the area and afford excellent viewing opportunities. Once a commercial salmon cannery, the picturesque community of 12 supported by a boardwalk on stilts swells each summer as up to 50,000 people a year come here to watch the whales from aboard one of a dozen charter vessels in the surrounding area. Encouraging is the recent sightings of Humpback Whales seen in their ancestral waters and the appearance of large schools of Pacific white-sided dolphins. Plan on 2 1/2 hours one way to Telegraph Cove.

Wilderness Tours
A variety of outdoor adventures are never far away in the Comox Valley. It is an area of remarkable contrasts from vast sandy beaches to the 1588 metre (5280 ft) summit of Mt.Washington. The cool stillness of the rainforest, abundant wildlife, alpine meadows and peaks, sheltered coast and open water provide an ideal playground for a variety of adventures. There are many different tour packages available. Activities include sightseeing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, cave exploring and wildlife viewing.

Paradise Found Adventure Tours
#165 - 1160 Shellbourne Drive
Campbell River, BC, Canada V9W 5G5
Toll Free 800.897.2872
Phone 250.830.0662
Fax 250.923.1675
E-mail paradise@paradisefound.bc.ca
Web http://www.paradisefound.bc.ca/

Extensive first-hand knowledge of the Campbell River area allows us to custom design a complete vacation for any group wishing to experience our unique natural habitats. Some of our wide range of activities include, snorkeling the Campbell River during the salmon runs, bird watching in the Woodhus Slough and experiencing the mystery of old growth forests on foot or mountain bike. As pioneers in the Campbell River area for tours of this nature, we aim to set a high standard and thus become known as the premier destination for outdoor adventure.

Comox Valley Community Elderhostel
Phone 250.336.2064
Fax 250.336.2064
E-mail cvelder@coastal.net

At Elderhostel Canada site, we offer educational adventures for adults over 50. Inexpensive, short courses, taught by local experts, include arts, history, nature and outdoor recreation. Catalogues are in libraries.

ROIAL Adventure Tours
Phone 250.336.8371
E-mail roialadventures@rocketmail.com

We offer a true west coast experience to European tourists by way of hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, and bus touring on and around Vancouver Island. Small groups, English/German speaking guides.

Timberland Helicopters Inc.
Phone 250.703.0234
Fax 250.703.0235

Offering local sightseeing flights around the spectacular Comox Valley. Soar up and around 6000 ft. Comox Glacier complete with its mountain lakes and waterfalls, followed by panoramic views of the local coastal islands.

Trans Isle Touring Services
Phone 250.334.2106
E-Mail sportfrm@island.net
Web http://www.island.net/~sportfrm

Wilderness and rainforest, mountain biking, and sightseeing tours. Half-day, full-day, or multi-day, fully outfitted. Guiding and rental services. Group and private tours. Accommodations available. German and French spoken.

Rainy Day Activities
So you wake up one day during your visit to the Comox Valley and it's raining. What should you do? You could grab your umbrella and go for a walk along the beach. If you would rather not brave the weather, the Comox Valley has many enjoyable indoor activities as well. A few you may wish to consider include..