Nanaimo Hikes - Hiking in Nanaimo
The beauty of this region stands out especially well from great heights. Hiking in Nanaimo is a rewarding way to spend a Sunday afternoon, or a Friday night!
Nanaimo is a big strip between ocean and mountain, which means you're never far from a trailhead. You don't really need to find out where they are; just head inland, and you'll hit the power lines that run the city's length. Follow them to a trail coming out of the second growth forest. Turn up this new trail, and you're guaranteed to end up on some lookout like Westwood Ridge, Roberts Roost or Mount Benson itself.
Ammonite Falls
On the north west end of Mt Benson, Benson Creek drops toward Brannen Lake, cutting a steep ravine into the hillside. It exposes millions of years worth of sedimentary layers, providing fossils and a tall, sometimes-wide waterfall. It's called Ammonite Falls for the snail-like sea creatures whose interesting fossils can be found, as well as fossils of clams and oysters.
Beach Estates Park - Ravine Trail
There's a dark, interesting little hike that runs from the church beside Brooks Landing (Northbrook) down to the Departure Bay ferry terminal. It takes about 20 minutes each way, but you can stretch it into a more luxurious exploration, and of course you can walk from the bottom of the trail, over to Kin Beach - too bad the plans to build a walkway was quashed by NIMBYs.
Rutherford-Carrington Trail
There is a ravine with a trail in the north end of town, where the city has put in boardwalks and railings and bridges. You can find information and maps on our forum, in our fun Nanaimo mystery places thread!
Extension Ridge
Also called The Abyss in honour of an earthquake fissure, Extension Ridge involves a light hike, and lacks a prominent view, but features beautiful arbutus groves and couches of moss.
Mount Benson
Nanaimo's big mountain is Mount Benson. Standing a kilometre above the nearby ocean, it's got a great view of the Georgia Straight, from Mt Tzouhalem in Duncan to Lasqueti and Texada Islands in the north.
Roberts Roost
South of Westwood Ridge is a distinct lump called Roberts Roost. Does anyone know where it gets its name? It's covered with signs proclaiming a heap of danger, probably because it's close to the DND's firing range, and perhaps it's seismically unstable. It's higher than any of the Westwood Ridges, and it has views in all directions, though not all from one vantage.
Rutherford Ridge
This is a really nice ridge right in the middle of the North End's suburbia. There is good rock-climbing, views, and interesting trails.
Westwood Ridges
The Westwood Ridges offer a spectacular hike between Westwood Lake and Mount Benson. They are extensively laid, running between Roberts Roost in the south to the west side of Westwood Lake. The best access trails are from the power lines, at Morrell Sanctuary or at Westwood Lake.
See also our Nanaimo Parks pages.