Hidden Gems of Vancouver Island

Welcome to Where It All Began

This Hidden Gems of Vancouver Island article marks the very beginning of Vancouver Island View—a passion project sparked by my family's love for uncovering local treasures and my desire to share them with others.

In this post, you’ll find a collection of unique, off-the-beaten-path locations in the Mid-Island area. Some require a short hike or a bit of navigational skill to reach, while others are easily accessible for a spontaneous outing. Either way, they’re all worth the effort.

A Quick Note on Respectful Exploring

As these places become more well-known, it’s more important than ever to treat them with care. Please practice Leave No Trace principles, stick to established trails where possible, and respect private property and wildlife. Let’s all do our part to keep these beautiful spots pristine for future explorers.

Doing My Part to Respect the Land

When this article was first written, it caused a surge of website traffic almost immediately. It was shared thousands of times across social media and even picked up by a few media outlets. Suddenly, some of these once-secret spots were seeing a lot more foot traffic.

While I was incredibly grateful for the exposure, the experience gave me pause. I began to reflect on how increased attention could impact these fragile, lesser-known areas.

That’s when I decided to create the Hidden Gems of Vancouver Island membership—a more intentional and mindful way to share these special places with a smaller, respectful community of explorers.

It's my way of protecting the island’s most cherished secrets while still helping curious adventurers discover them responsibly.

If you value discovering Vancouver Island’s best-kept secrets while helping protect them, I’d love to welcome you into the membership.

👉 Click here to learn more about the Hidden Gems of Vancouver Island.

Mid Vancouver Island Hidden Gems

Hole in the Wall – Port Alberni

Just before you enter the town of Port Alberni, tucked quietly off the highway, you’ll find a curious man-made feature that has become one of the area’s most photographed hidden gems.

Known as the Hole in the Wall, this perfectly round opening was blasted through a wall of volcanic shale as part of the town’s original water supply system, back before Port Alberni’s amalgamation in 1967.

The tunnel once served as a shortcut for the water pipeline that ran to the community's reservoir. Though the infrastructure is long gone, what remains is a fascinating, almost whimsical structure that nature has slowly reclaimed.

If you continue exploring along Roger Creek, you’ll likely stumble across dozens of stone sculptures—carefully stacked Inuksuk and cairns—created by fellow visitors. These add to the magical, tucked-away feel of this peaceful forest pocket.

Getting There

The entrance to the trail for the Hole in the Wall is unmarked, but it is across the highway from Coombs Country Candy on Highway 4, just before entering Port Alberni from the east (coming from Parksville/Qualicum).

If there is room, you can park in the small pullout on the main highway heading towards Qualicum Beach. As this gem is becoming more well-known, less parking is available here.

Otherwise, park in the gravel parking lot beside Coombs Country Candy and carefully cross the highway to the start of the trail. This section of the highway is busy, so use extreme caution when crossing.

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Trail Length: Approximately 15 minutes each way
• Terrain: Uneven in places, with a few small creek crossings
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ❌ No – the trail includes steep sections and uneven terrain not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Dogs are welcome, though no official signage is posted. Use discretion and pack out waste.

Top Bridge – Parksville

Tucked just minutes from central Parksville, Top Bridge Regional Park is a beautiful riverside escape that offers a bit of everything—forested trails, swimming holes, rock bluffs, and a striking suspension bridge that spans the Englishman River.

This hidden gem is my personal fave, mainly because it's so close to my house. It's also become a favourite among other locals for walking, hiking, mountain biking, and cooling off in the river on hot summer days.

The suspension bridge is the park’s most iconic feature, offering beautiful views of the river gorge below and easy access to both sides of the trail system.

The river itself is crystal clear and framed by smooth rocky outcrops, making it a popular spot for sunbathing and a quick dip. Keep an eye out for salmon during spawning season, and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the water rushing through the boulders.

Getting There

The Top Bridge Regional Trail has several access points. The quickest access point is at the end of Chattell Road, if you are just interested in viewing the suspension bridge.

Head past the truck scales on Highway 19A and continue past the four-way stop, which puts you onto Kaye Road. Turn right onto Chattell Road and continue to the end. You will see the suspension bridge from the large parking area.

If you are up for a bit more of a walk, there are four other entry points. You can catch the trail at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, anywhere along Resort Way, at Industrial Way and Tuan Rd (one block inland from Hwy 19A), or from the end of Allsbrook Rd (off Bellevue Rd, off Hwy 4A).

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Length: Varies depending on route, but the suspension bridge is just a short walk from the Chattel Road parking area
• Terrain: Well-maintained gravel and dirt trails with some inclines and some stairs, depending on the trail chosen.
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ❌ Unfortunately, due to bridge barriers, steep inclines and stairs, this one isn't accessible.
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes – dogs are welcome and must be leashed.

Shack Island – North Nanaimo

One of Nanaimo’s most fascinating and nostalgic beachcombing spots is Shack Island—a tiny island dotted with colourful rustic cabins, frozen in time and only accessible when the tide is out.

The “shacks” were originally built in the 1930s and ’40s by local fishermen as summer getaways. While they may look abandoned at first glance, many are still used today by the families who have lovingly maintained them for generations. The island itself is municipally owned, but the cabins remain private property, so please explore respectfully and from a distance.

Shack Island can be reached on foot from Pipers Lagoon Park during low tide. It's a peaceful and unique experience to wander across the sandbar and admire the quirky charm of these historic cabins up close.

Getting There

To access Shack Island on foot, you’ll need to head to Pipers Lagoon Park in Nanaimo. There are two access points:

• Closest Access: Park at the end of Lagoon Drive (off Hammond Bay Road) for the most direct route to Shack Island.
• Scenic Walk Option: For a longer walk through Pipers Lagoon, park at the main lot at the end of Place Road (your first right off Lagoon Drive).

🕓 Important: Shack Island is only accessible at low tide. Be sure to check tide charts before your visit, and give yourself plenty of time to return before the tide rolls back in.

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Trail Length: ~15 minutes from the Place Road trailhead to the beach access; add 5–10 more minutes to walk to Shack Island when the tide is out
• Terrain: Uneven and rocky around Shack Island; often muddy or slippery due to tide exposure
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ❌ No – the terrain is rocky, muddy, and tide-dependent
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes, but must be leashed at all times. Pipers Lagoon is a leashed area, and Shack Island has resident geese and delicate wildlife—please be respectful.

Extension Ridge (AKA: The Abyss) – South Nanaimo

One of Nanaimo’s more unusual natural features, The Abyss is a dramatic 16-inch-wide fissure in the forest floor found along Extension Ridge. This crack in the earth has long fascinated locals and visitors alike—not only for its eerie appearance but also for its mysterious origins.

While not much is officially known about how it formed, many speculate that it may be the result of a collapsed mine tunnel triggered by seismic activity. So far, no one knows just how deep the fissure goes, adding to the intrigue of this hidden gem.

Despite some recent logging near the start of the trail, the area remains a beautiful place to hike, especially if you continue beyond the fissure. The trail winds through forests filled with arbutus trees, wooden bike features, and natural curiosities.

Keep an eye out for smaller fissures, hand-built bridges, and even a fairy circle and labyrinth tucked deeper into the trail system.

Getting There

The trailhead can be found on Harewood Mines Road. A small parking area under the power lines and a large sign let you know you have arrived at Extension Ridge.

Head up the trail (under the power lines) for approximately 100 meters and climb the stairs. Keeping right, continue to follow the path for about 2 km to reach the earthquake fissure.

You will pass a clear-cut on your left-hand side. There are also a few rocks to scale along the trail (not difficult unless wet and slippery).

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Trail Length: ~15 minutes to the fissure; the trail continues for those who want to explore further
• Terrain: Forested with rocky sections, minor elevation gain, and uneven surfaces
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ❌ No – due to steep sections, stairs, and rocky areas
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes – dogs are welcome but should be leashed, as this is part of the Trans Canada Trail and a Regional District of Nanaimo-managed area. And also, because small dogs have fallen into the Abyss!!

Petroglyph Park – South Nanaimo

Tucked beside a busy stretch of highway in South Nanaimo, Petroglyph Provincial Park quietly preserves one of the most concentrated collections of Indigenous rock carvings on Vancouver Island. These ancient petroglyphs—believed to be over a thousand years old—were created by Coast Salish peoples and remain a powerful connection to the region’s cultural heritage.

A short, well-marked trail leads you through the park, where you'll find interpretive signs that help explain the carvings and their possible meanings.

Though many of the original petroglyphs are weather-worn and partially moss-covered, replicas placed near the beginning of the trail allow for a clearer view—and even the opportunity to create your own petroglyph rubbing if you bring a large piece of paper and some crayons or charcoal.

Exploring this small park feels a bit like a treasure hunt, as the petroglyphs are scattered and subtly blended into the rocky landscape.

Getting There

The park is located just off Highway 1 in South Nanaimo, near the Chase River area:

• Watch for provincial park signage along the highway.
• Access is via a pull-off directly from Highway 1.
• There’s a large gravel parking area at the trailhead.

Note: The park is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, so keep an eye out for signs shortly after passing Haliburton Street when heading southbound.

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Very easy
• Trail Length: Less than 5 minutes
• Terrain: Mostly paved or gravel, flat
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ✅ Yes – the trail is short, well-maintained, and mostly paved
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Dogs appear to be allowed, though no signage confirms this. Please keep pets leashed, stay on marked trails, and pack out waste. Note: There are no garbage bins at this park.

The Arboretum – South Nanaimo (near the Duke Point ferry terminal)

The H.R. MacMillan Grant Ainscough Arboretum is an unofficial park owned by the Regional District of Nanaimo.  

This 2.6-hectare site was used to attract university tour groups from across the province who wanted to study the behaviour and growth of exotic trees. What's left is 150 species of trees that are now maintained and monitored by the Regional District and volunteers.

Each unique tree species has an interpretive sign giving details of its origin. This relatively unknown gem is a beautiful spot for a picnic. There is a lovely picnic bench for you to use, which overlooks the valley. Or, bring a blanket and stretch out under the shade of the trees.

Getting There

From Highway 1 in South Nanaimo, take the Duke Point highway. Follow the signs to Jack Point & Biggs Park by turning right off the Duke Point Highway at Maughan Road.  

Turn right onto Phoenix Way and immediately turn right again.

You will see a yellow gate and a sign.  If the gate is open when you arrive, there is a small parking lot to your right. If not, park somewhere near the gate.

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Very easy
• Trail Length: No set trails – the arboretum is a grassy open space to explore at your own pace
• Terrain: Mostly grass, gentle slope in areas
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ⚠️ Partially – the ground is grassy with no paved paths. If the main gate is closed, strollers and wheelchairs may not fit through the walking entrance
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes, but dogs must be kept on a leash. There are no garbage cans or poop bags provided, so please pack out waste and be respectful of this peaceful space

Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park (South Nanaimo / Cedar area)

Though just 4 hectares in size, Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park packs a surprising amount of history into a small space. This hidden gem offers a rare look at Vancouver Island’s coal mining heritage—featuring the only remaining coal tipple on the Island, and one of the last of its kind in all of North America.

The towering concrete structure, built in 1912, was once part of a working coal mine. Today, it stands as a monument to the region’s industrial past, easily visible from the parking area and surrounded by interpretive signage. A fence protects the structure, but you can still get a great view up close.

To the left of the tipple, a short Mining Trail circles the structure and offers additional historical context. To the right, a more natural trail leads gently down to the Nanaimo River, perfect for those wanting a peaceful forested walk alongside the water.

Getting There

Just south of the Duke Point ferry turn-off. Access to the parking lot is at the end of Morden Road (off Hwy 1).

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Length:
  • ~200 m loop around the coal tipple
  • 1.2 km return trail to the Nanaimo River
• Terrain: Flat and well-maintained trails
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ✅ Yes – the mining structures are visible from the parking area, and the trails are flat and stroller/wheelchair-friendly
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes – as a provincial park, dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times

Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge – South Nanaimo (near the Nanaimo Airport)

Tucked away in the forest south of Nanaimo, the Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge is a rewarding find for those who don’t mind a bit of adventure just to reach the trailhead.

Part of the Trans Canada Trail, this beautiful, forested route leads to a striking suspension bridge that sways gently over Haslam Creek.

You don’t need to hike the entire trail to enjoy the bridge—this particular section offers a short, scenic walk through mossy forest and over gentle terrain. Finding the trailhead requires navigating a maze of backroads and a working gravel pit. But for those who follow the directions carefully, it’s well worth the effort.

Getting There

Getting to the Haslam Creek trailhead requires close attention to directions:

1. Head toward Nanaimo Airport, then turn onto Timberlands Road.
2. Continue on Timberlands Road, passing Rondalyn Resort. The road will turn into a gravel logging road.
3. You’ll come to a gate marked “Do Not Enter.” Ignore the sign and carefully proceed through the gate. (This is allowed—just make sure to read the posted hours, as the gate does get locked after hours! 🚫)
4. You’ll pass through what looks like a gravel pit with equipment and vehicles.
5. Take the second right (the first right is set back, just past the fenced area).
6. Follow along the fence line until you see a small trail marker for the Trans Canada Trail. If you lose sight of the fence, you're on the wrong road.

🚗 There is no official parking lot—pull off to the side of the gravel road without blocking access.

Trail Details

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Length: ~1.2 km to the suspension bridge (one way); the trail continues beyond for those wanting a longer trek
• Terrain: Flat and well-maintained, though there are some rocks and tree roots
• Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible?: ⚠️ Partially – the trail is mostly flat, but the uneven terrain may be tricky for strollers or wheelchairs without larger wheels
• Dog Friendly?: ✅ Yes – dogs are welcome, but please pack out all waste, as there are no garbage cans or amenities in the area

Wander Wisely, Explore Deeply

From mysterious fissures and ancient petroglyphs to historic relics and peaceful forest trails, these hidden gems in the Mid-Vancouver Island offer a deeper, more personal connection to Vancouver Island’s wild and wonderful landscapes.

Many of these places aren't marked on tourist maps, and that’s exactly what makes them so special. They invite curiosity and often leave you feeling like you've stumbled upon a well-kept secret, because in many cases, you have.

I’ve explored these spots with my family for years, and it’s been a joy to share them with others through this blog. But as more people discover them, I encourage all adventurers to tread lightly. Respect the land, the history, and the people who continue to care for these areas, both human and non-human alike.

If you’re craving even more off-the-beaten-path experiences, consider joining the Hidden Gems of Vancouver Island membership. You’ll gain access to exclusive spots, detailed directions, and a community of like-minded explorers who share a passion for preserving what makes this island so special.

👉 Click here to learn more about the membership.

Here’s to many more quiet trails, secret shorelines, and magical moments just waiting to be uncovered.

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