This is a great little hike right in the middle of town. It starts behind the church (of the Nazarene) on Departure Bay Road, across from Brooks Landing mall - it follows a steep ravine down to the ocean right beside the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.
The ravine is very pretty - there are huge big-leaf maple trees as well as tall conifers leaning out, or fallen across Northfield Creek - there's also a nice waterfall. There are boardwalks and stairs, adding to the woodsy atmosphere. The walk takes about 15 min each way depending on your pace. Warning, some spots are very uneven, or the path can be quite narrow above a steep ledge.
At the bottom of the trail, you will emerge on the beach directly beside the ferries (see image below). This can be attraction on its own as the ferries are so big, and you can watch the activity of the terminal, people standing on the decks, etc. The beach is rocky, so don't come here expecting to run around barefoot!
This place has a history - there was an explosives manufacturing plant here at the turn of the century - you can still see where its wharf footings were, and the ruins of a building on the beach just north of where the trail emerges at the ocean.
Fun fact: Northfield Creek is shown as "Gold Creek" on the earliest maps. Did someone get colour in the pan back in the 1800s?
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