Nanaimo and Area

An Overview

Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island and the hub through which much of Vancouver Island's commerce connects to the mainland. On the Island, Nanaimo is a crossroad providing access to travel and adventure north, south and west. The city began as a coal-mining town in the mid-1800's and developed strong logging and fishing industries. Today Nanaimo has a diversified economy that features fisheries, research facilities, leading-edge technology industries and Malaspina University-College.

Haslam Creek Bridge - Photo by John Butterworth.

Development of the Trans Canada Trail in the Nanaimo area has been accomplished by a small group of volunteers. These dedicated Trail visionaries obtained the cooperation of the city of Nanaimo and a number of private landowners south of the City in order to secure the section of the Trans Canada Trail from the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo to Ladysmith. Weyerhaeuser was particularly generous in permitting over 30km of licensed Trail through the company's private forest lands.

The Regional District of Nanaimo became a partner in the Trans Canada Trail project as plans to bridge Haslam Creek and the Nanaimo River developed. A suspension bridge 18 metre above the Haslam Creek gorge was installed in November 2002. Funding for the bridge came from the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Province of B.C. and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation. The crossing point is spectacular and will be a major highlight of the Trans Canada Trail in the Nanaimo area. Next: a bridge over the Nanaimo River.

Trail Description

Nanaimo Waterfront - Photo by John Butterworth.

Extension Ridge Trail - Photo by John Butterworth.

Timberlands Lake - Photo by Rene Bertrand.

This is a brief description of the Trans Canada Trail route in the Nanaimo area. The description includes references to the markers shown on the map below. An excellent description of the route is contained in the book Trans Canada Trail - the British Columbia Route.

There are three distinct sections of the Trans Canada Trail in the Nanaimo area.
a) Through the City of Nanaimo,
b) From the southern boundary of the City of Nanaimo to the Nanaimo River, and
c) From the Nanaimo River to the Haslam Creek Bridge area.

a) From the Ferry Terminal at Departure Bay [1], the Trans Canada Trail passes along the Nanaimo waterfront with spectacular ocean and mountain views. It then winds through three beautiful parks, each with a different focus: Bowen Park [2] with community facilities, wheelchair-accessible trails and a salmon-bearing river, Buttertubs Marsh [3], a bird and wildlife sanctuary, and Colliery Dam Park [4], with wheelchair-accessible and wilderness trails, and two lakes.

b) From Nanaimo's southern boundary the Trail continues south along the top of a ridge to the Village of Extension. This section is called the Extension Ridge Trail [5] and is a favourite with both mountain bikers and hikers. There are several viewpoints looking westward on ranges of mountains, a large earthquake fissure, and beautiful rocky bluffs, arbutus and manzanita groves. The Trail descends from the ridge to the small and picturesque village of Extension, an old coal-mining community. The Trail then passes through the village and follows a water pipeline road [6] to the Nanaimo River.

Eventually, a Trail bridge will be constructed across the Nanaimo River. In the interim the Trans Canada Trail route runs east along the Nanaimo River Road to the Trans Canada Highway, south on the Highway to Spruston Road, and then heads back inland along Spruston Road to the trailhead where the Trail picks up again and continues running south.

c) On the south side of the Nanaimo River, at the Spruston Road trailhead, Darryl’s Way takes you to the River. This area is a magnet for equestrians. There are many trails and a large parking area for trailers. From the Spruston Road trailhead the White Pine Trail [7] proceeds south as a wilderness-hiking trail to Timberlands Lake. The trail is so-named for a large white pine, an uncommon tree these days. Timberlands Lake is a popular fishing and swimming spot, a jewel of a lake. The trail continues south from Timberlands Lake to Haslam Creek where it crosses on a spectacular 48 metre suspension bridge [8] slung 18 metres above the creek. Haslam Creek changes from a docile trickle of water in late summer to a raging torrent in the spring. South of Haslam Creek the trail is under development, and a Haslam Creek Map is provided for instructions.

The description of the trail route continues on the Cowichan Valley and Area page.

Trail Map Details

Click HERE for larger version of map.

1. Departure Bay Ferry Terminal: The Departure Bay Ferry Terminal is the BC Ferry connection point to Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver where the Trail continues on the mainland. It is the northern end of the Trans Canada Trail on Vancouver Island.
    
2. Bowen Park: Bowen Park is a 36 hectare wilderness park located in the heart of Nanaimo. A series of trails meander along the Millstone River and weave through giant stands of fir, cedar, maple and hemlock. The park also provides a 4-H barnyard, open in July and August, the Hailey Rhododendron Grove, and an interpretive nature centre and duck pond. There are also covered picnic shelters, an outdoor swimming pool, sports fields, curling club, outdoor lacrosse box, disc golf course, tennis courts, horseshoe pitches and a lawn bowling green.
    
3. Buttertubs Marsh: Buttertubs Marsh is an 18 hectare bird and wildlife sanctuary located adjacent to the Millstone River near Bowen Park. A 4.5 kilometer walking trail (no dogs allowed) circles the marsh providing opportunities to view the many species of waterfowl and birds that call Buttertubs home. The Trans Canada Trail passes through Buttertubs Marsh Park.
    
4. Colliery Dam Park: Colliery Dam Park, a 28 hectare park, is a popular swimming spot in the summer and a wonderful retreat any time of year. An hour or so of easy hiking trails lead around two lakes. Watch for deer, grouse, pheasant and raccoon in the thick forests, muskrats, ducks and geese around the lakes, and bald eagles and many species of birds throughout the park.
    
5. Extension Ridge Trail: The Extension Ridge section of the Trans Canada Trail is a local favorite for both hikers and mountain bikers. The trail follows a ridge with many fine views and winds through groves of arbutus and Douglas fir.
    
6. Pipeline Trail: This section of the trail uses a water pipeline right of way to connect the village of Extension with the Nanaimo River.
    
7. White Pine Trail: The White Pine Trail is so named because of a White pine found in a predominantly Douglas fir forest. This species has been mainly logged out. The trail winds through forests, moss covered ridges, dense Salal pockets and marshy areas. It passes Timberlands Lake, a popular local fishing spot and a great place to picnic.
    
8. Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge: The 48-metre-long Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge crosses 18 metres above the creek gorge. The views are spectacular at any time, but particularly so when the creek is in full spate.
    

Links to Related Web Sites

• BC Ferries
    http://www.bcferries.com/
• City of Nanaimo
    http://www.city.nanaimo.bc.ca/
• Tourism Nanaimo
    http://www.tourism.nanaimo.bc.ca
• Regional District of Nanaimo
    http://www.rdn.bc.ca/