Parks & Camping 5+ days
Follow the road less traveled, the one that leads you to the purest kind of wilderness experience. In the Vancouver Island North region, spanning the mountains and coasts of the Island and adjacent mainland, there are vast expanses of land that are still unsettled. Our regional and provincial parks are as much a part of the Island as its people. As much a part of our heritage as the small towns settled over hundreds of years ago.
Itinerary
Travel to Vancouver Island North and camp at Link River
Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08
Additional Activities
Day 01
CAMP AT BERE POINT CAMPSITE
Situated on the north side of Malcolm Island, near the community of Sointula, Bere Point Campsite has stunning views across Queen Charlotte Strait to the coast mountains on BC’s mainland coast. Oceanfront, ocean view and forested campsites available.
**Travel by ferry required. Travel on logging road required.
Day 02
HIKE THE BEAUTIFUL BAY TRAIL
Walk softly along the spongy forest trail to the viewing platform at Bere Point. Lookout over the ocean and be on the look out – if you are lucky enough, you might just hear the water rippling as a killer whale approaches to rub on the pebble beach below. The population of killer whales that visits this area are the only killer whales in the world known to have this rubbing behaviour. Please do not interfere with the whales and maintain a respectful distance by viewing from the platform only. The Beautiful Bay Trail continues from the viewpoint and is a 5 km round trip out-and-back trail. It winds along a ridge through the forest with periodic glimpses of the sea and coastal mountains. Beach exits and the tide give hikers the option of designing their own circle route.
Day 03
SPEND A DAY WITH THE WOLVES
By observing wolf behaviour, we can better understand this highly intelligent, sentient animal and begin to understand why they play such a vitally important part in creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Watch the natural behaviour of Nahanni and Mahikan as they play, compete and bond. These behaviours will also be observed by watching short videos of Nahanni, Mahikan, and Tundra. Tours run 3 – 5 hours in duration in Sointula on Malcolm Island.
**Travel by ferry required. Travel on logging road required.
Day 04
CAMP AT LINK RIVER CAMPGROUND & TOUR THE KARST FEATURES OF THE ALICE LAKE LOOP
Get situated at Link River Campground on Alice Lake and spend a day traveling the Alice Lake Loop for the opportunity to view features typical of a fascinating landform known as karst, a landscape largely formed by water action in soluble bedrocks such as limestone and marble.
Stop at the feature sites, the Eternal Fountain and the Devil’s bath to get a closer look at these formations. Interpretive signage will help explain the process that has shaped these features.
**Travel on logging road required.
Day 05
EXPLORE LITTLE HUSON CAVES
Little Huson Caves Regional Park, a 45-minute drive south of Port McNeill, off the Zeballos road, is the perfect place for an introduction to these magical formations carved by nature. It’s a caving experience for all levels – even if you’re not interested in going underground. A self-guided tour here includes stops at a natural rock bridge and walk-in, cathedral-style cave.
**Travel on logging road required.
Day 06
WHALE WATCHING DAY TOUR
Whale watching day tour durations range from 2 – 5 hours. Daily scheduled departures from Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill, Alder Bay, or Port Hardy.
Members of a population of some 285 fish-eating orcas known as the “Northern Residents” are often in the area in pursuit of salmon. The more stealthy marine mammal-eating population of killer whales known as “Transients” are also often hunting in the area. Humpback whales are back from the brink of extinction and are now spotted with increasing frequency.
Day 07
BEAR VIEWING DAY TRIP
Bear viewing day tours have early-morning daily departures from Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill, or Alert Bay returning in the afternoon. Day tours are full-day experiences, typically 9 hours in duration. Mammoth grizzly bears thrive just a short distance from the north island in the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. These bears spend the May to October season feeding at the edges of the inlet and in the surrounding river systems.
Day 08
HIKE THE ALPINE AT MOUNT CAIN
During the winter months, the slopes of Mount Cain are covered in Vancouver Island’s best powder and skiers and snowboarders carve up the 1,499 vertical feet of terrain. During the summer months, the ski trails are a great way for hikers to access the alpine and take in the high-altitude views.
**Travel on logging road required.
Additional Activities
- Learn about the utopian ideals that the community was founded on at the Sointula Museum
- Find unique artistic treasures at Sointula and Port Alice galleries
- Borrow a bike and cruise Kaleva Road, the bikes are free to borrow, just sign one out at the Sointula Resource Centre
- Learn about biology, habitat needs and threats to local marine mammals at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove
- You will be struck immediately by Telegraph Cove’s charm, dig into the roots of this place by touring historic boardwalk
- The Nimpkish Valley has the only operational rail logging operation in Canada, visit the Locomotive 113 Heritage Park to see how things were done when steam engines pulled the load
GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND
The North Island may feel like a remote destination, but it’s certainly not a challenge to get here. With a fully paved highway leading you North, to daily flights and multiple ferry options, you have your pick of ways to travel! Visit the Getting Here page to learn more.