Hiking on Vancouver Island

A variety of world class hiking trails besides the West Coast Trail exist on Vancouver Island, many of which do not require guiding. Strathcona Park, at the heart of the Island's wilderness offers a great selection of alpine and sub-alpine hiking, Most of the trails are well marked, and various wilderness campgrounds are located throughout the park.

We offer various shorter hikes ranging from 3 to 8 hours, along some of the many unmarked trails around the Comox Valley and Strathcona Park. Give us a call to find out about some of the seasonal attractions featured in our shorter hikes, or to have one custom designed around your ideas or ours. These hikes range from easy rainforest strolls to more strenuous mountain ascents, and full day hikes will include a lunch and snacks.

From sea level, this tour will take us to the top of the Comox Glacier, part of Vancouver Island's largest ice field. Passing through an old growth rainforest and up a steep ridge, day one will take us to our base camp at the foot of the glacier. On the second day, we will complete the ascent to the ice field and spend the day on the relatively flat glacier. The summit reveals spectacular views of adjoining ice fields, glacial lakes, rugged mountain ranges, and the Pacific Ocean. The third day is spent returning through the old growth forest and back to Courtenay.

Participants of this tour should be sure-footed and in good condition. The climb to base camp is strenuous, and can be slippery in wet conditions. Included in our price is transportation to the trailhead, meals from breakfast on day 1 to lunch on day 3, tents and guides (1:4 guides to guests). Please bring your own backpack, sleeping pad and bag.

Price: can$ 535.- per person for a group of 4 or more, otherwise can$ 715.- pp.

This tour departs early Sunday mornings, beginning on the last Sunday in July, to the first Sunday in October. We would encourage you to approach this unique expedition as a group to take advantage of the substantial group discount.