Niagara Falls, Goldstream Park, Victoria
On Vancouver Island's southern end, just north of British Columbia's beautiful capital city of Victoria, you will find the breathtaking Goldstream Park.
Heading northward on highway 1, you will eventually be directed to parking lots on the right side of the highway where the Goldstream trail network begins. Follow the trails north from the parking lot, keeping the highway on your left, and you will eventually come across a tunnel under the highway. If you pass through this tunnel, and follow the well-defined trails along the left side of the river, you will soon stand beneath this incredible waterfall.
Alternatively, if you are heading southbound on highway 1 towards Victoria, keep your eye out on the right-hand side for a small parking lot beside the river. Beginning the hike from this parking lot will cut the distance in half, as you will be starting from the point where the tunnel crosses underneath the highway. (From this point, you can also cross the river to the right-hand side, and ascend the steep trails that lead to the awe-inspiring Goldstream Trestle).
Follow the river valley for 10 -15 minutes, and you will soon be standing beneath this tall waterfall that trickles down the cliff to the basin below.
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Falls: 10-15 minutes (Southbound Parking lot)
30~ minutes (Northbound Parking lot)
Stocking Creek Falls Park, Saltair
Between Chemanius and Ladysmith, in the small community of Saltair, you will find the peacefully beautiful Stocking Creek Park.
Follow Chemanius road between the two cities, and keep your eyes peeled for Thicke Road. This is a small gravel road on the landward side of Chemanius Road, with signs for Stocking Creek Park that are quite hard to see.
Once you have left your car in the lot, you will find yourself on well-maintained trails through the forest. You can either cross a wooden bridge, or head right along the trails that follow the river downstream, as either of these northbound routes will lead you to the beautiful waterfall basin in about 15-20 minutes.
On the boardwalk, you will come to a platform overlooking the falls. If you follow the parallel dirt paths, you can get down to the waters edge, enter the small overhang behind the waterfall, and witness the small series of rapids just downstream of the falls.
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Falls: ~20 Minutes
Ammonite Falls, Benson Creek Park, Nanaimo
This is one of Nanaimo's most well-loved waterfalls by locals, and it is a popular hiking destination year-round.
From Highway 1, turn onto Jinglepot Road. Follow that to Kilpatrick Road (or Meadow Drive) and eventually turn right onto Jameson Road. Near the end of Jameson Road, turn right onto Creekside Place and park in the gravel lot at the base of the hill.
From this lot walk back up the hill, and head right along Jameson, which will eventually lead to a yellow gate and turn into a dirt path. This path will lead through a cathedral-like forest, and have many offshoots. Stay on the path for ~15 minutes, and then follow the downhill trails to your right, which will eventually follow the river (with it on your left). (Note: Do not head up the trails to your left, as Ammonite is down to your right and these trails lead up Mount Benson and a hiker got lost here recently). Follow these trails along the downstream course of the river, and you will eventually come across ropes which descend the hill into the waterfall basin. Then enjoy the view!
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Falls: ~40-45 Minutes
Bonnell Creek, Nanoose Bay
One of my personal favorites, Bonnell Creek is a series of glacier-fed waterfalls & swimming holes in a forest canyon.
On Highway 1, near the Nanoose Bay intersection and just before the Arlington Pub, you will turn onto Summerset Road (which will soon turn into Sea Blush Drive). Follow this road for about 4 minutes, and then turn right onto Sundew Place; this is where you will leave your car, as there is a logging gate 50 meters up the road.
Climb over this gate, and follow this logging road straight for about 15 minutes. This area has recently been clear cut, so the trail on the right-hand side is more difficult to discover. After about 15 minutes, there should be a 4-foot wide path on your right side of trampled grass and dirt. Follow this to the top the of the canyon, and you should see a tree with a large rope around it; this rope will be your guide as you descend the dirt trail down the side of the canyon. The dirt trail is quite steep, with ropes down steep rock slopes next to waterfalls, so caution is advised, but the destination is spectacular.
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Time to Falls: ~25 Minutes
Hole in the Wall, Port Alberni
Although this is not your stereotypical waterfall, The Hole in the Wall is still a natural feature that deserves to be on your summer bucket list!
Once parked at the Coombs Country Candy on the side of the highway leading into Port Alberni, cross the highway (safely!) and you will find a small dirt trail. Follow this trail, and the subsequent sign-marked logging roads, and you will soon be checking this destination off your list! (Note: If you do have the desire to climb through to the other side, just know that getting back down is exponentially harder, believe me!)
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Falls: ~15-20 minutes
Rosewall Creek Park, Fanny Bay
Rosewall Creek is a beautiful hike that leads to the lower waterfall (pictured), and an upper waterfall of rapids cascading down,through the boulders.
Heading northbound along the scenic route of Island Highway S, through Bowser & Deep Bay, you will soon see signs for the park parking lot on your right. Once you begin the hike, you will follow the trail across the road and underneath the highway, and this trail will lead you to the two waterfalls in about an hour and a half. This riverside trail is longer and more difficult (as it gets very steep between the two falls) than the others in this post, so it is encouraged that you bring food and water along.
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