The best walks and hikes around Nanaimo

Nanaimo offers a wide variety of hiking experiences, with over 70 routes available for exploration. These trails cater to different preferences, from easy coastal walks to more challenging ascents.

Yes, Nanaimo and its surrounding area are home to several beautiful waterfalls. A popular choice is the hike to Ammonite Falls in Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, where you can see a waterfall cascading over fossil-embedded rock. You can also explore the Copley Waterfall via Knarston Creek loop, which offers a lovely forest walk to another scenic waterfall. Nearby, Englishman River Falls Provincial Park also boasts impressive upper and lower waterfalls.

Many trails in Nanaimo are suitable for families. Easy, relatively flat options include the Neck Point Park loop, which offers coastal views and opportunities for wildlife spotting. The Colliery Dam loop is another great choice, winding through urban forest around two lakes with bridges and small waterfalls. Westwood Lake Park also features a popular, accessible loop trail around the lake.

Nanaimo is very dog-friendly, with many parks and trails welcoming leashed dogs. The loop around Westwood Lake Park is a popular choice for dog walkers, offering a scenic path with mountain and forest views. The Colliery Dam loop is another excellent option for you and your canine companion.

Nanaimo's diverse landscape offers a range of stunning views. Coastal trails like Jack Point trail — Biggs Park and Neck Point Park loop provide breathtaking ocean vistas across the Strait of Georgia. Inland, trails around Westwood Lake and Colliery Dam offer serene lake and forest scenery. For panoramic views overlooking Nanaimo and the Coast Mountain range, a more challenging hike up Mount Benson is highly rewarding.

Yes, Nanaimo has several excellent circular routes. The Neck Point Park loop and the Colliery Dam loop are both popular, easy-to-moderate circular trails. For a unique experience, consider the Protection Island loop, which offers a pleasant walk around the island accessible by ferry.

Beyond the trails themselves, Nanaimo boasts several notable natural attractions. You can visit Ammonite Falls, known for its unique fossil-embedded rock. Neck Point offers rugged coastal beauty and marine wildlife viewing. For a short ferry trip, explore Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Provincial Park with its rich cultural history and beautiful paths. Westwood Lake Beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing after a hike.

The hiking trails in Nanaimo are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 170 reviews. Reviewers often praise the diverse scenery, from stunning coastal views to lush forest paths, and the variety of options available for all skill levels. The well-maintained trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing are also frequently highlighted.

While many trails are family-friendly, truly wheelchair-accessible options are more limited. The Harbourfront Walkway offers a paved, flat surface ideal for wheelchairs and strollers. Westwood Lake Park also has sections of its loop trail that are generally accessible, though some parts may be uneven. It's always best to check specific trail conditions before heading out.

Nanaimo offers great hiking opportunities year-round. Spring brings lush greenery and blooming wildflowers, while summer provides warm, sunny weather perfect for coastal walks and lake activities. Fall showcases beautiful autumn colours in the forests. Even in winter, many lower elevation trails remain accessible, offering a peaceful experience, especially along the coast where storm watching can be dramatic.

Yes, several hiking areas in Nanaimo offer spots for wild swimming. Westwood Lake Park is a very popular year-round destination with a designated beach, perfect for a refreshing dip after completing the loop trail. Colliery Dam Park also features two lakes that are popular for freshwater swimming, especially during warmer months.