This area offers one of the best opportunities in Canada to view features typical of a fascinating landform known as karst. Named for a region in Europe’s Balkans where it was first studied, karst is a landscape largely formed by water action in soluble bedrocks, notably gypsum and carbonates 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.
A chance to wonder at the marvels of planet earth!
Visit the Eternal Fountain, a soothing waterfall that appears out of a ledge and splashes down into a rocky gap in the ground beneath your feet, and Devil’s Bath, an intriguing geologic example of a flooded sinkhole, this is one of Canada’s largest.
A full loop circuit, depending on the route you take, will be approximately 100 km. This route is accessed by gravel logging road so driving time for the loop will be approximately 2.5 hours. The feature karst sites have lots to explore and short hiking trails so make sure you give yourself enough time explore!
From the Island Highway (Hwy 19), take the Keogh turn off south onto a gravel logging road – this is a wide industrial intersection just north of Port McNeill; shortly after turning onto the Keogh road, you will see a large directional sign with a map of the Alice Lake Loop; choose your route from here