If you are planning a trip to Vancouver Island, you can’t miss visiting the island’s Harbour City of Nanaimo. Nanaimo is the gateway to the northern region of the island, but it hosts so many beautiful places to explore that you should plan on spending at least a day or two exploring its hidden gems. For trail lovers, Nanaimo does NOT dissappoint! There is something for every nature lover out there from coastal trails to hidden waterfalls. Here are our top 5 Nanaimo hikes.
Neck Point Park
Neck Point Park is a well known park on Nanaimo’s coastline and a local favourite. The trail follows the coast line out onto the point and offers sweeping views across the Strait to Texada Island and the North Shore on the mainland. The rocky shore and islets out in the water make for a classic Vancouver Island view that you won’t want to miss! Make sure you add this to your Nanaimo hikes list!
We don’t get the same wild waves that the west coast of Vancouver Island does, but when a storm blows through it can still get a little wild on the shore. Neck Point Park is the perfect place to have a Nanaimo storm watching experience! If the storm is timed with a high tide it gives an even more dramatic experience as the waves crash against the rocky cliffs and the wind howls. This may be your reason to not stay inside when a storm rolls through!
The trail leads to a sheltered black pebble beach at the north end of the point. It is perfect for a swim on a hot summer day or a place to enjoy a quieter view on a cold winter day.
Beach Estates Park
Beach Estates Park is a short and sweet trail right in the middle of the city that packs a powerful punch. A waterfall tucked right inside the city! You would never know standing at the base of this powerful waterfall that you are within striking distance of a school and shopping plaza! This hidden waterfall is what earns this trail a spot on our top Nanaimo hikes list!
It also is a perfect trail to meander if you ever get stuck waiting for a ferry sailing back to Vancouver at the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. The trail follows a freshwater stream up the ravine from the ferry terminal and ends with a cascading waterfall that is totally worth the climb! It is only a 20 min return hike up the trail, but it is charming with wooden pathways and bridges.
Pipers Lagoon
Pipers Lagoon is another famous Nanaimo waterfront park with a bit of history too. The park is full of twisting trails and rocky bluffs for climbing and has plenty of scenic look outs along the way. The trail involves climbing over rocky bluffs, so it is not recommended for visitors with mobility issues. However, it is perfect for kiddos that love to climb!
The coolest part of this Nanaimo hike is Shack Island which is connected at low tide to the park. Colourful fishing huts dot the “Island” that have been passed down over the generations from family to family. They were originally fishing huts used as a resting point for fisherman and as summer retreats. They make a playful and colourful backdrop for the park and residents of the lagoon.
Ammonite Falls
Ammonite Falls is a popular trail that is part of the Benson Creek Falls Regional Park. This is THE trail that people talk about as a must see if visiting the Nanaimo area. Once you see the falls, you will see why we have added it to our top Nanaimo hikes!
It is an easy 4.5km out and back hike ending at the falls. The falls cascade over a rock cliff filled with Ammonite fossils…hence the name! The final descent to the base of the falls is down newly built stairs with viewing platforms to best view the falls. Access along the base of the falls is slippery, but still manageable.
The advantage to going in the winter is that the falls are running at full force and are mighty impressive! I have heard that although the water is more of a trickle in the summer it makes for a great swimming hole! I guess we’ll just need to go back and see for ourselves!
It is worth noting that the trail to the falls itself is worth the hike alone! It is a moderate 4.5 km out and back hike that takes you through old growth Douglas Fir forests.
Jack Point
Jack Point, Biggs Park is a 5 km out and back trail that runs along the coast parallel with the Duke Point Ferry Highway Connector. This is the second Nanaimo hike on our list close to a ferry terminal. It makes a great way to stretch your legs if you are caught waiting for a ferry sailing!
The trail provides access to beautiful beaches with excellent views of the Nanaimo River estuary, downtown Nanaimo, Protection Island and Gabriola Island.
It is also a popular spot for wildlife viewing including bald eagles, sea-lions and harbour porpoises and is an amazing location to watch the sunset!
Want to capture your hiking adventures in Nanaimo with professional photos? Book an adventure session with Driftwoods Photography, a local Nanaimo photography company specializing in helping you plan and photograph your Vancouver Island adventures. You can find out more or book a session here.
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Looking for other places to visit in BC? Check out our other guides:
Hike the Wild Pacific Trail Visit Vancouver Island’s wild west coast in Ucluelet, BC
Top 10 Things to Do in Northern BC. From remote hot springs, whale watching, hiking to glacial peaks and horseback riding at the base of majestic mountains, Northern BC has it all!
Map is not avail on this listing. Do you have one I can load to my phone or print for my upcoming trip to Nanaimo?