The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Tsable Lakes Woodlands

The Lake Park society is a non-profit group which run the campsite and immediate surroundings. You can camp and access the hiking trails, rock climbing, swimming and paddle sports. Day visitors as well as campers welcome.

The short trails accessed through the campsite provide access for the bouldering and rock climbing as well as lovely lake views and forest trails.

Mom’s Trail is a short forested loop in the Chinook Forest Woodlands that winds through second-growth forest on a quiet singletrack. Part of the loop follows the Trent River, with occasional views of the flowing water and the steep, wooded valley that shapes this landscape. With gentle terrain and connections to nearby paths, it’s an easy, peaceful trail ideal for a short outing, and is a popular route for hiking, walking, and trail running.

This is a great spot along the Mom’s Trail where you'll find a break in the trees with beautiful views across the forested ridges of the Hunter’s Range, and it is a quiet place to pause and take in the layered hills and valleys of inland Vancouver Island. Surrounded by dense woodland, the viewpoint adds a more expansive landscape perspective to the trail, which is otherwise defined by its forest scenery.

This trail is a short forest walk that follows a well-trodden path through second-growth forest as it approaches the river canyon. Most of the route is relatively easy to follow, though it can be slippery as you get close to the falls, with rope-assisted sections leading down to the river at the base. Despite its short length, the combination of forest, river sounds, and rugged terrain makes it feel like a more adventurous trek than you'd expect.

This trailhead is right next to the Inland Island Highway near the Trent River Bridge, with informal roadside parking available on either side of the highway. However, the northbound shoulder offers the easiest access if you’re looking for quick access to the falls. From here, a wide gravel track leads into second-growth forest toward the falls, but there is no formal trailhead signage, so the entrance is easy to miss. Since parking is close to the highway, be sure to park carefully and avoid blocking access or traffic.

Trent River Falls is a beautiful, wide, fan-shaped cascade where the Trent River drops roughly 9 metres into a deep pool surrounded by cliffs and boulders. These falls mark the upstream limit for spawning salmon, and in the fall, you can see fish in the river below you. Although relatively hidden from the highway above, this setting feels surprisingly wild, with rushing water, rock walls, and the forest creating a peaceful riverside atmosphere.

Stretching roughly 800 kilometres from Victoria in the south to Cape Scott in the north, the Vancouver Island Trail links existing paths and forestry roads through forests, mountains, and coastline. Near Cumberland, the trail follows forested terrain along Comox Lake, offering peaceful views and access to lakeside rest spots. It’s part of Canada’s national trail network, designed for experienced hikers looking to explore Vancouver Island’s diverse landscapes.