Your Shoulder Season Guide to Comox Valley’s Great Outdoors
Situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Comox Valley enjoys a scenic location framed by a glacier and the Salish Sea. The charming region stretches along the center of the island, north of Nanaimo and south of Campbell River, and encompasses the three main communities of Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland.
Surrounded by mountains, lush forests and tranquil waterways, the Valley serves as a playground for year-round adventures, with opportunities for skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. With mild weather throughout the shoulder season, the Comox Valley is a laid-back, friendly launching pad for unforgettable and inspiring outdoor experiences.
Explore Strathcona Provincial Park
Spanning an impressive 571,880 acres, Strathcona Provincial Park holds the title of the oldest provincial park in BC, and its rugged mountains, pristine alpine lakes and lush temperate rainforests offer a wide range of activities, from backcountry adventures to scenic day hikes and, when the snow falls, scenic snowshoeing adventures. Before the temperatures plummet, cast your line for rainbow and cutthroat trout at Buttle Lake, scale the limestone cliffs of Marblerock Canyon for rock climbing or lace up your hiking boots and set out for Paradise Meadows, a 4.2-kilometre loop that guides you through sub-alpine meadows along well-maintained boardwalks and gravel paths. Carpeted by colourful lupines and violets in the warmer months, the underbrush and meadow grasses transform the landscape into a tapestry of reds and gold in the fall and later become muted with delicate snowflakes and glistening icicles in winter, creating a serene atmosphere for nature lovers. This trail also offers a fantastic vantage point of the ski runs at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
Cycle Cumberland’s Epic Trails
The hills surrounding Cumberland have made it a hotspot for mountain bikers in recent years, and with a laid-back and welcoming biking culture, this community is an ideal base for anyone diving into the area’s trails for the first time.
Meet locals and visitors alike on Cumberland’s Trail Network, which features 206 well-marked and whimsically named singletrack trails that span over 200 kilometres set within 6,500 acres of temperate rainforest. For those new to mountain biking, the blue trails, like Space Nugget and Kitty Litter, offer a great introduction. Meanwhile, experienced riders can challenge themselves on Cupcake, known for its steep, near-vertical pitches and rugged rock sections—one of the area’s most thrilling trails.
Dodge City Cycles provides quality full-suspension bike rentals from reputable brands such as Rocky Mountain, Marin and Transition, ensuring you have everything you need for an adrenaline-fueling ride.
Paddle Picturesque Shorelines
With its tranquil lakes and picturesque coastlines, exploring the Comox Valley from the water is a must. Whether kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding, launching from Comox Marina Park provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a scenic paddle on calm waters without any crowds.
Framed by mountain views, make your way toward Goose Spit, a slender strip of land that juts into the sea, and keep your eyes peeled for seals bobbing playfully in the water. For those in need of equipment, Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes has you covered with a variety of rental options, including recreational and touring kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes.
Discover Rich Indigenous Heritage
A great way to get deeper acquainted with this unique and welcoming area, the Courtenay and District Museum offers a compelling glimpse into the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Aside from displaying exhibits on local history and paleontology, including a life-size replica of an elasmosaur, the museum also honours the deep-rooted heritage of the K’ómoks People. Celebrate their enduring connection to the area’s lands and coastal waters and learn about the legend of Queneesh and how the Comox glacier saved the K’ómoks People from a great flood.
The Comox Valley is a down-to-earth place; a hidden gem for travellers exhausted by destinations suffering with overtourism. You won’t find massive trail lineups or overcrowded slopes here—just wild, natural adventure and a welcoming, special community.
Getting There:
Daily non-stop flights from Vancouver will have you touching down at Comox Valley Airport in just 40 minutes. If you’re travelling by ferry from Vancouver, the drive to Courtenay, the Valley’s laidback commercial hub, is just over an hour north of the Nanaimo ferry terminal.
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. The Town of Comox is a seaside community that attracts recreational mariners to the Comox Marina where the catch of the day is only a cast away. Courtenay is the Comox Valley’s largest urban centre, where you’ll find urban amenities wrapped in small town charm and character. Cumberland celebrates its coal mining past while embracing the hip and contemporary.
