A hidden hiking gem in Nanaimo
I can’t count the number of times we’ve driven along Departure Bay Road in back of Brooks Landing heading to the ferry in Nanaimo. Did we ever notice that there was a park at that corner? Not that it’s easy to spot. The day we visited Beach Estates Park, we encountered two different couples on Departure Bay Road trying to find it, even as they walked by the sign!
The park is a ravine which immediately plunges downward from the street, so there’s really nothing to see until you actually go down the stairs. But what awaits is a bit of magical spot – the kids said it felt like they were walking into a fairyland. Once you’re down between the cliffs of the ravine, amidst the trees, you’re hard pressed to remember that you’re in the heart of Nanaimo.
Almost the entire trail has been re-done with very solid stairs and sturdy bridges (you criss-cross the stream many times on the journey), so it’s pretty accessible to all ages. There are a couple of nice waterfalls along the way – one quite large – and from every angle you always have great views. From time to time you can see houses perched at the top of the cliffs, but those are the only signs of the city surrounding you.
At the very bottom of the ravine, you walk out onto Departure Bay directly in front of the ferry terminal – we had a spectacular view of the Coastal Renaissance that morning. You also come to other entrance to the park, and it’s this entrance I’d recommend using: the kids had a great time going down the ravine, but finishing the trip going back up wasn’t quite as fun, so if you can start by going up and end by coming down… it might be better.
