Plan Your Summer Outdoor Adventure in the Comox Valley Now
Summertime on Vancouver Island comes with the promise of warm weather adventures on land and sea. Breathe in salty water as you paddle; feel the sunshine heat your skin on a mid-day backcountry hike. In the Comox Valley, you can discover an outdoor playground of active alpine to ocean opportunities for every level of curious adventure traveller.
From relaxing oceanside paddles to fresh-air hikes through alpine meadows, this mid-island haven is laid-back and authentic, a place where culture, community and countryside pursuits invite travellers to relax, reconnect and rediscover nature at your own pace.
From Paddles to Peaks
What often strikes visitors to the Comox Valley is its proximity to nature. The looming Vancouver Island Ranges and snow-covered Comox Glacier present an impressive background to kilometers of Salish Sea coastline and the valley’s many attractions in-between.
When the snow melts from Mount Washington and Strathcona Provincial Park, you can go from ocean to alpine in the same day. Begin the morning with a guided paddle in the ocean, a glacier-fed lake or river. Then, travel westward into the mountains to trek to a breathtaking alpine summit.
Kayak or SUP on a relaxed tour led by experienced guides, showcasing a teeming variety of inter-tidal marine life as well as seals, bald eagles and an array of shorebirds in this mid-island escape. Want to go at your own pace? Rentals are also available.
Exchange paddles for hiking boots to experience a spectacular afternoon trek on the raised boardwalks in Paradise Meadows, where the spring thaw melts the last vestiges of winter, exposing a beautiful panorama of blooming wildflowers ready to explore in summer.
This is a mixed terrain trail, including both boardwalks and gravel. The trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Mount Washington Nordic ski area, 25 kilometres from Courtenay. From the same trailhead, a massive network of overnight and day-trip hiking routes can be accessed, for beginners to seasoned experts.
The Ultimate Summer Adventure
From the shoreline to the alpine, the Comox Valley is where the wild things are, intersected by a diversity of terrain and hiking opportunities that welcome everyone to explore the outdoors.
Wander the 1,585-acres of biodiverse forested and seaside paths in Seal Bay Nature Park and learn about the significance of the region and this treasured wildlife habitat for the K’ómoks First Nation.
Pack the family and fur babies up for an accessible and photo-friendly waterfall hike to Nymph Falls or enjoy the historic pathways of Cumberland Community Forest, a stone’s throw from downtown.
Get Back to the Backcountry
As the season’s transition breathes new life into the region’s mountainous backcountry, Strathcona Provincial Park welcomes hikers to a fantastic gateway to adventure.
The rugged alpine wilderness of British Columbia’s oldest park is filled with lakes, forests and mountain peaks, some perpetually covered in snow. Heading out on a backcountry hike in this vast territory is an incredible and exciting adventure, one that demands proper preparation.
Tread lightly and be mindful of wildlife—don’t feed, approach or touch any animals you may encounter. You’ll find alpine wildflowers blooming amongst the peaks, so stay on marked trails where possible, and minimize your footprint (literally) by following Leave No Trace principles.
Be AdventureSmart when deciding to head out into the backcountry. That means properly planning your trip and making sure someone knows your intentions. Become familiar with and know how to use the trip essentials in your backpack (gear, compass, safety equipment) before you lace up your boots for an intrepid journey into the wild.
Take the chance to adventure and play safely and responsibly in the captivating wilderness of Vancouver Island, BC’s Comox Valley. With year-round direct flight access from Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton and Calgary, the Comox Valley is the perfect getaway any season.
This article was sponsored by Experience Comox Valley
The Comox Valley is the traditional territory of the Puntledge, E’iksan and K’ómoks peoples. Today the three tribes are known as the K’ómoks First Nation. Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland are the three main communities that make up the Valley, stretching from mountains to sea.
