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Hiking in the Comox Valley

From alpine to ocean, the Comox Valley has numerous and varied hiking opportunities to suit every fitness level and scenic preference. A few of the many local trails are described below.

Alpine Hiking Trails

The alpine trails in Strathcona Provincil Park close to Mount Washington meander through some of the most breathtaking natural terrain in BC. 

Paradise Meadows

A thirty minute drive from downtown Courtenay, the Paradise Meadows trailhead is located near Mount Washington Alpine Resort accessable via the Mount Washington Parkway off the Island Inland Highway. 

The Paradise Meadows and Helen MacKenzie - Battleship Lakes Loops are both well graded class 2 trails with little or no elevation change. 

The Paradise Meadows Loop Trail is about 3km return to the parking lot, with a suggested hiking time of 30-60 minutes return.

The Helen MacKenzie - Battleship Lakes Loop Trail is 6.8km return to the parking lot, with a suggested hiking time of 1.5 -3 hours return. 

The easiest overnight destination is at the designated camping area at the east end of Lake Helen MacKenzie. Located about 3.5km or 1-2 hours hiking time one way from the Paradise Meadows trailhead. 

Above Lake Helen MacKenzie hiking options are numerous, from larger loops, to overnight destination at designated camping areas of Kwai or Circlet Lakes. This trail system can also provide the gateway to more extensive hiking routes, such as the traverse to Buttle Lake or Comox Glacier.

Hiking at Sea Level

The Courtenay Riverway
A paved walkway that runs along the Courtenay River and the estuary. The section along the estuary offer excellent opportunities for viewing many species of birds. A popular place for walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers, the Riverway's level grade will accommodate wheelchairs and infant stollers.

The estuary area is an important wintering home for many waterfowl species, most notably Trumpeter Swans. Bird watching is better during tide changes. There are several trails, viewing structures and interpretive signs. 

Wildlife Viewing Highlights -  Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and Mallards may be seen throughout the year. The estuary is especially good for birding during the winter and migratory periods. Shorebirds include Dunlin, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher and Western, Semipalmated, Least, Spotted, Solitary, Pectoral and Baird's Sandpipers. 

Waterfowl species include American Wigeon, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Oldsquaw, Bufflehead, Marbled Murrelet, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter and Common Loon. 

A herring spawn in March attracts many gulls, Harbour Seals and Osprey.
 

Seal Bay Regional Nature Park
On the Comox Peninsula five minutes drive from Copes Islander Oceanfront B&B, Seal Bay Park offers an varied network of wooded trails. A steep path leads to the beach where seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife can often be seen. On the inland side of the parking area trails loop through tall forests and around a marsh. The forest canopy makes for a pleasant place to hike even on cool, rainy winter days.

Wildlife Viewing Highlights - In the forests you are likely to hear or see red squirrel, Dark-eyed Junco and Winter Wren. Also found are Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and many vireos and warblers. 

Along the seashore you will see harbour seals. The months from October through April provide the best seabird viewing, including Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Pelagic Cormorant and possibly Marbled Murrelet and Rhinoceros Auklet.