I’m going to be spending a portion of the holidays on Vancouver and Saltspring Islands – visiting family and friends and hopefully lacing up hiking boots a hike or two along the way. In a season full of sharing, thought I’d share my research on a few island hikes worth checking out.

In Campbell River, Elk Falls Provincial Park offers an extensive network of hiking trails. According to the BC Parks website, Canyon View Trail is a popular walk through an old-growth Douglas fir forest. The Quinsam River Trail follows a popular angling river upstream towards the Quinsam Salmon Hatchery. The Millenium Trail runs alongside the Campbell River along the canyon route – offering excellent waterfall views. I’ve done several of these before, but never in winter; will pack icers and hiking poles – just in case!

A new one on my hiking radar screen is the Oyster River Park Trail near Courtney. Apparently it’s often called the pub-to-pub trail as it runs six kilometres oceanside from Fisherman’s Pub to Salmon Point Pub – sounds holiday cheer to me! And it’s a popular hike for dog owners – my girl Taylor is gonna be might happy too!

Down island in Nanaimo, the Morrell Nature Sanctuary reportedly has 11 kilometres of easy hiking trails with ample birdwatching throughout the 278-acre forested site. There are beaver ponds, giant Doug firs and, of course, Morrell Lake to investigate.

Seventeen kilometres from Victoria is Goldstream Provincial Park. I’ve driven past this old-growth beauty many times, but this holiday we’ll be pulling over to see if there are any Chum Salmon left in the spawning streams and check out Niagara Falls – Van Isle style! The parks website notes that trails range from easy, wheelchair accessible walks to strenuous hikes – such as the climb up to the top of one of the highest points in Greater Victoria, Mount Finlayson.

Heading over to Saltspring Island to visit friends, we’ll lace up the hikers and take an easy stroll along Duck Creek before dipping into the newly established Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, which is supposed to be the “most diverse parks on the island for hiking.” I’ll let you know if that’s true or not!

If you’re feeling the spirit of season too, share your favourite holiday hike at the forum. Happy holidays everyone!