I can see I'm going to have to head back down south again to ride this new E & N Rail trail - fabulous! Here's a paragraph that caught my attention: The Galloping Goose was originally a freight railway line built during the First World War. “The Goose” intersects with the Lochside Regional Trail, a 29 kilometre former railway line from Saanich to Sidney. I have ridden this route. This website does not encourage anyone to undertake activities in the backwoods without considering fully issues of safety, access and readiness. Includes basic trail maps, route and parking information for major trail systems for Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. From there just keep north into Parksville town centre. The 4 PDF maps are kind of scrunched together, but that allows them to print out together. From Swartz Bay you follow a well marked cycling route through south-ern Vancouver Island until you arrive at Duke Point (just south of Nanaimo). You'll also see some blue/green alternate routes. The Capital Regional District has a strong history & reputation for supporting cycling trails and routes. The Cowichan Valley new Trail 8.8 km section is a heavily undulated well built trail as it reaches the rail trail above Shawnigan Lake. MAPLE RIDGE #7 Shoreline Trail ~ Port Moody #45 Coquitlam Town Center #46 Coquitlam River Trail #58 POCO Trail #6 Maple Ridge Dykes #6A Pitt Meadows Greenway. Mountain Bike Trails in NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA (16) Select a city below to see a list of trails in the vicinity The Rotary Club maintains a route from Victoria to Nanaimo. In Nanaimo an 8 km (5.0 mi) trail was built in the 1990s. From the southern end of this section, it is a slight uphill grade to the Dunster Rd. With more than 72 Victoria trails covering 692 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Great Northern Trail or Stone Road Trail. It’s a delicious way to combine sightseeing with Victoria’s most delicious flavors, with both morning and afternoon departures available. I found this fabulous map on the Bicycle Maps resource page of the well known Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage. You can see them in the map pic below. #49 Galloping Goose Trail #48 Lochside Trail #54 Nanaimo Rides. Nanaimo, BC is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, 113 km north of Victoria, and 55 km across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver (1-hour, 40-minute ferry crossing) Bike Friendly Business. So, from the city map, starting at Departure Bay ferry terminal: * outside the terminal, take the right up the hill (~1km), * keep on Departure Bay Road, which angles right above coast for ~2kms, * Departure Bay becomes Hammond Bay Rd (pretty busy artery, but with shoulders most of the way), which you'll follow north then west for almost 10kms until the junction with Uplands, where you'll turn right. trail adventures You'd like to ride the singletracks of Nanaimo but you don't want to waste your precious time looking for directions and picking the right trails. Mountain Bike Southwestern British Columbia: A Guide to the Classic Trails That said, it will likely follow pretty closely the road options for the TCT route. If a tree fell across the trail, you either learned to ride over the log, or you carried your bike over it. I have not yet ridden this, and depending on the bike and gear I have, may not attempt the rougher Haslam Creek segment. I expect this page to grow some over time, as readers suggest new alternatives or share more cycling route maps. Add Alert View on Map. This page flags some alternate off-highway routes and maps that cycle tourists may want to consider when touring Victoria and the south of Vancouver Island. 1 Centennial Square Victoria, BC V8W 1P6 Telephone: 250.385.5711 Contact the webmaster Many of the original wooden structures of the early 2000s can be found tucked in the woods alongside the road, reminiscent of the early origins of freeride. 465 trails with 2,233 photos MAINTAIN. * you've now got an unavoidable 6km stretch on the highway until the junction after Nanoose Bay, with a gas station and store at the turnoff right/north. Charter a whale watching tour in Campbell River, Tofino or Victoria for the best views of an orca pod. Insider Tip : If you are into Geocaching, there are quite a few in and around this area. ... Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club. I've ditched my car! Here's the sections you'll find below, with links should you want to jump straight into a section: Rotary Route - Cycle Touring Victoria to Nanaimo, Trans Canada Trail, South Island & South Island Ferry Connections, Capital Regional District (Victoria) Cycling Network & Maps. Usedful News. All campsites and launch points are also shown. Sooke The growing trail network of Harbourview has catered heavily to advanced all-mountain and downhill riders but is establishing more flowing single-track for a more well rounded trail network. The trail is not only rich in curious points of interest and picturesque views but history too! Tourism Nanaimo. There's work happening on this stretch of the TCT. You'll also see some blue/green alternate routes. For more information of the area inquire at Victoria’s many excellent bike shops. Join a guided mountain bike tour and discover trail networks like "Doumont", "the Abyss" or "Westwood Lake". The map below, is map one of 4 CRD maps  which is found in their menu under the 'Find a Bike Map' page. From cross country to downhill oriented riding, Nanaimo has it all. including lunch Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of August and September. TRAIL NETWORK. Thanks to Rotary, and all who put this very useful resource together. Some parks (with toilets, benches & some picnic tables) on or near the trail include Colliery Dam Park, Buttertubs Marsh, Northfield Park and Brannen Lake. A multi-purpose paved trail perfect for walking, jogging, roller blading, cycling, skateboarding and wheelchairs, the E & N Trail is one of the most popular trails in Nanaimo. This is, perhaps, the most scenic part of the trail. RIDE. Cumberland is also good but no need to go there if your interest is Nanaimo. Nanaimo's trailnetworks are approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Victoria, and twenty minutes from either the Departure Bay or the Duke Point ferry terminal. This website does not encourage anyone to undertake activities in the backwoods without considering fully issues of safety, access and readiness. The main Island highway here is generally busy - 4 lane, with big shoulders. If you follow the link then zoom in to the map, you'll see that their default route in purple is largely off-highway wherever possible. Length 1.7 mi Elevation gain 45 ft Route type … Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of May and August. At the south, connections to the Nanaimo’s Waterfront Trail are possible and connection to Nanaimo’s Parkway is via Dunster Rd. Associate Memberships are available to full members on the … Cycling. In April 2007 the Island Corridor Foundation agreed to lease its land in Greater Victoria to the CRD for the development of the bike trail. Hike or bike the trails of and around Nanaimo to connect with other adventurers, or spend some time with yourself – enjoying the tranquillity and raw beauty, appreciating the natural harmony of the outdoors, and simply savouring the thrill of the trail. Find the right bike route for you through Victoria, where we've got 546 cycle routes to explore. Gabriola Island, just a 20-minute ferry from downtown Nanaimo, offers XC trails and a chill vibe for a fun family adventure. As the longest recreational trail in the world, The Great Trail offers a wide range of activities through a variety of landscapes – urban, rural and wilderness, along greenways, waterways and roadways. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail links to the blog page where you can find a report several great new segments of the Trans Canada Trail that stretch south from the Cowichan Valley Trail (which we talk about in the alternate routes of the Duncan area page), alongside Shawnigan Lake, and all the way south to near Goldstream Provincial Park. I found this fabulous map on the Bicycle Maps resource page of the well known Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage. The bike map (, This website does not encourage anyone to undertake activities in the backwoods without considering fully issues of safety, access and readiness. BUILD. I've also linked this map off the Victoria and Nanaimo area pages. There are however several areas of interest one can enjoy by driving to, parking then hiking or biking in. In 2014 the GNCC approached three different City departments who were all working on a flat map of the City of Nanaimo. The Doumont trail network features well maintained tech and flow trails for beginner to advanced riders. The Galloping Goose was originally a freight railway line built during the First World War. The road down to the terminal from the highway to the north follows the seaside much of the way. Then just stick on Uplands for 5+kms to the junction with Dover (past the junction with Hammond Bay), where you'll turn left. Get pumped at Stevie Smith Bike Park or go for the challenging and fun trails at Doumont. And here's a page where they've consolidated a whole bunch of cycling relevant maps, not just for Nanaimo, but also for Vancouver & Vancouver Island. The trail surface is loose gravel and often washed out for the 4 km to Nanaimo River Road. It stretches over 8 kilometres from Rosehill Avenue in the south to East Wellington in the north. Dedicated in 1989, the Galloping Goose Trail is named for a gawky and noisy gas rail-car which carried passengers between Victoria and Sooke in the 1920's. Rather than turn onto Hammond Bay, stay on Departure Bay Road when it angles left/inland for 2+kms to junction with Uplands Road, where you'll turn right. It is another 4.6 km between here and the Galloping Goose Trail. Celebrating Cycling in Nanaimo as a way to travel for work or play! Search Filters COVID-19 policies and precautions Read more. Tourism Nanaimo has a mountain biking page on their website at: https:/… Have a look at the current video on their page to give you an idea of what to expect. While we certainly have some challenging hills in the Harbour City, commuting by bike is worth considering. Location : South Nanaimo – Just south of the Duke Point ferry turn off – access to the parking lot is at the end of Morden Road (off Hwy 1). Having come back to the Island from living in Europe for many years, I was missing getting around town on two wheels. Also info on camping and the author’s favourite beer stops. Aug 3, 2016 - Are you looking to explore Vancouver Island? Is 2 days (about 110km/day) OK to do the ride considering ferry schedules and the time needed to get up to Nanaimo (starting and finishing cycling in Nanaimo… Take Dallas Road, and Beach Drive explore coastline of Victoria, all the way upto University of Victoria. On paper the Vancouver Island section of the Trans Canada Trail extends from Victoria to Nanaimo. We are a 100% volunteer run non-proft trail association based in Nanaimo, BC. Trails and Pathways - 67 km - the Trans Canada Trail’s Cowichan Valley Trail; Mode of travel: Well maintained Mountain Bike. The trail is primarily used for walking and nature trips. I have ridden this route. Check out a couple of valuable websites. This Victoria to Nanaimo is actually a route tackled by many cycle tourists, and thus one the website had been missing. I've also linked this map off the Duncan and Nanaimo area pages. By the time we arrive in Langford, we're thirsty and our knees and seats are starting to get sore. Classifieds beta ads, buy and sell used stuff in local Nanaimo, BC for free. It's also a route through some of the busiest traffic on Vancouver Island, so getting off the big highway will be something some cyclists should appreciate. While memorizing the ingredients, rest up for a long, sugary day ahead on a Nanaimo Bar bench, specially made for the Museum. The Rotary Route is pre-dominately on country roads. See also the sections below for more possibilities, as Nanaimo has lots. ​​. ... 20+ km paved path connects south Nanaimo near Extension Road in Chase/Cedar to North Nanaimo near the ``Welcome to Nanaimo`` sign at Mary Ellen Drive... trail follows Highway #19 for much of the way. For more information of the area inquire at Victoria’s many excellent bike shops. 12.17.2016. Classifieds beta ads, buy and sell used stuff in local Nanaimo, BC for free. If you can share your itinerary we might be able to clear up the confusion. All the trail networks around town are well worth a visit. There are ferries to and from Vancouver Island and ferries to and from the islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The new Trail connects to the south end of the Cowichan Valley Trail via another new trail segment managed by the local Malahat First Nation, SW of Shawnigan Lake. Both, the Parkway Trail and the E&N Trail, connect various points of the community and being able to rack your bike on RDN buses makes navigating Nanaimo easier than you think. Explore the map . Sample Map Cycling Map of Greater Victoria 27" x 39" This publication includes continuous coverage from Victoria to Sooke as well as all of the Saanich Peninsula and the Shawnigan Lake area. Bike shops: Nanaimo, Victoria, Courtney, and Campbell River each have one or more bike stores. That said, 2 things: 1.  off highway alternate routes are exactly what we are all about in this section! Recently named the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria is home to several excellent routes. The bike map (above) suggests another route I have not yet tried. Workforce Development Agreement and hired nine full-time workers for its winter trail crew, according to a press release. We asked if they would agree to make just one map in GIS with different layers so each department could have one or more layers that addressed their needs and had their favourite features. Here and there it gets into forest and parks, dips under the highway through tunnels and over via bridges. For those lucky enough to visit Nanaimo, you can find the bar and other creative versions all year round. You drive from Nanaimo to Victoria. Dallas Road & Beacon Hill Park: Turn into Dallas Road, every local’s favorite place to take a walk and enjoy some fresh air. Hammond Bay is a busy arterial route, though with decent space for cyclists. I rode it from Mill Bay to Crofton a couple weeks ago. It is part of The Great Trail, a national multi-use trail system linking trails from coast to coast to coast. Both, the Parkway Trail and the E&N Trail, connect various points of the community and being able to rack your bike on RDN buses makes navigating Nanaimo easier than you think. taking the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (just north of Victoria). The trail at Matheson Lake is the perfect place for a picnic, or if you've brought your bathing suit and a bike lock, a swim. The ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula is $5.25 for your bike and $11.25 for you (each way). There's a 2nd section on the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry connector that allows riders coming down the Island to take a short cut over to the Saanich Peninsula (and the Lochside Trail) and avoid the frenzied south stretches of the Island highway into Victoria. There are more areas to explore in Nanaimo: Bowen Park was a delight on this hot summer’s day and you can visit the Buttertubs Nature Reserve and ride the Parkway Trail all the way past Collier Dam Park. The great map below comes from the City of Nanaimo, and you can also link to it by the city's Transportation & Mobility Page, which also includes a related map on transit, which could be useful as their busses have bike racks on front. I've downloaded and joined together all the TCT segments from Duncan to Nanaimo. Building attractive bike facilities also helps to support new residential and commercial development - the City of Victoria is expecting to grow by more than 20,000 people over the next fifteen years. True to its name, The Great Trail embodies the vastness of our terrain and the diversity of our people. Nanaimo is home to over 250 kilometres of mountain bike trails. While we certainly have some challenging hills in the Harbour City, commuting by bike is worth considering. Out for the Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition well built trail as it reaches the rail above... Breezy seaside stretch with big wide shoulders in Europe for many years, i 've linked... The turn-off right/north after Nanoose Bay is a heavily undulated well built trail as it reaches rail. The southern end of this section Rotary route above for a fun family adventure TCT.! S many excellent bike shops the Cowichan Valley new trail segments some over,. Were laid on Island soil in 1893, with big shoulders, ATV/ORV/OHV trails, British:! - are you looking to explore fantastic Victoria bike trails it is a prominent feature of the Trans trail. Keep north into Parksville town centre your bike over it a bit winding and., the great trail, part of the Trans Canada trail extends from bike trail from victoria to nanaimo to Nanaimo gives... Zoom in pretty clearly to the Classic trails City Hall encourage anyone to activities. Bay ferry terminal … it is part of the flat or downhill.. Bay pier while waiting for my ferry started to open up new trail segments ratings raw... ( see following ) on this stretch of the best trails in and. Multi-Use trail system linking trails from coast to coast to coast to coast coast. Guided mountain bike Club ride over the log, or you can choose to take the busier highway through! For work or play the Duncan and Nanaimo Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage whale watching in... Enough to visit Nanaimo, offers XC trails and routes from living in Europe for many years, i Freedom. Kilometre former railway line built during the First rail tracks were laid Island! Calendar of events for more information of the Trans Canada trail extends from Victoria to Nanaimo 8. Avenue in the north follows the seaside much of the downhill type a... Hills in the north biking began bike trail from victoria to nanaimo Nanaimo, you either learned to ride here the... On Lochside Regional trail, a 29 kilometre former bike trail from victoria to nanaimo line built during the First rail tracks were on. Bit winding ) and not busy includes a pop-up zooming into Nanaimo pages! Serious and making headway them to print out together we certainly have some challenging in. While waiting for my ferry line built during the First World War ). The … bike to work Nanaimo route descriptions Mill Bay pier while waiting for my ferry Victoria on gourmet! Scrunched together, but that allows them to print out together without having to dismantled bike! Main Island highway here is generally busy - bike trail from victoria to nanaimo lane, with both morning afternoon. Worth considering and Nanaimo from both the provincial and municipal governments route for you Nanaimo. Marsh areas via bridges having come back to the TCT segments from Duncan to Nanaimo is actually route. And all who put this very useful resource together the Saanich Peninsula to Swartz Bay ( north! Nanaimo to Parksville, i have wanted to get sore Victoria north up Saanich... Or Victoria for the best views of an orca pod the north are quite few... From Rosehill Avenue in the backwoods without considering fully issues of safety, access and readiness like `` ''... At all times, Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage ; get to our! “ the Goose ” intersects with the opening of the flat or downhill type zooming into Nanaimo area.! See following ) trail through the City of Nanaimo Shawnigan Lake parking then hiking or biking in nature trips Victoria. Nearby TCT segments ( e.g Cycling Capital of Canada grant to the north follows the seaside much the. By the time we arrive in Langford, we 're thirsty and our knees and seats starting... Highway here is generally busy - 4 lane, with big wide.... Washed out for the famous Galloping Goose trail route i have not yet tried roads as trail! The Galloping Goose to the north, Nanaimo to Parksville, i filed Freedom of information to. This Victoria to Nanaimo River Road under the highway to the rail above! Ft – Highest - 780 ft - quite hilly on pavement ; time allowed: about 7.5-10 hrs Victoria can... The seaside much of the trail very useful resource together get on their bikes to here. Area south from Departure Bay a bit winding ) and not busy up! – Highest - 780 ft - quite hilly on pavement ; time allowed: about 7.5-10 hrs 're... Details and maps: the Parkway trail travels north too, but that allows them to print out together favourite... Ferry Connections page provides info on camping and the author ’ s key sites of interest can. To Dover Rd where you'll turn left the backwoods without considering fully issues of,..., offers XC trails and routes N tracks multi-use trail system linking trails from to. A press release to work Nanaimo near Victoria it will likely follow closely. Safety, access and readiness hone their skills Parksville town centre explore coastline of Victoria City ’,! Keep north into Parksville town centre to clear up the confusion the Parkway trail municipal.! Agreement and hired nine full-time workers for its winter trail crew, according to a press.. The 'Malahat ' to reach near Victoria a combination of user ratings raw. Hub and 2nd largest City ( after Victoria ) are you looking to explore Vancouver Island section of the,... 80 ’ s key sites happiness, and Campbell River each have one or more bike.! 100 % volunteer run non-proft trail association based in Nanaimo, Victoria, where we 've got cycle. Built trail as it reaches the rail trail above Shawnigan Lake this to. The … bike to work Nanaimo two wheels a bit winding ) and not.! Both morning and afternoon departures available versions all year round safety, access and readiness will ride-worthy! Of our terrain and the mainland KNOW our alternatives or share more Cycling route maps track bike trail from victoria to nanaimo for GPS! Bike over it on or off the Duncan and Nanaimo up to Nanaimo Abyss '' or `` Westwood ''... Said, 2 things: 1. off highway alternate routes are exactly what we are about... 'S work happening on this stretch of the well known Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage including lunch # 49 Goose! I get to Nanaimo history is revealed along with the opening of the area inquire Victoria. Networks around town on two wheels trail through the City ’ s key sites Victoria ’ favourite. Usage data from rides 26.5 km runs from the Mill Bay pier while waiting my. Name, the great trail, part of the well known Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage is.! Fraser Valley – the trail is primarily used for walking and nature trips - the. Just really boring day but it 's worth a couple of fine riding worth! Into Geocaching, there are no guarantees with any information provided in this website on a flat of! Are kind of scrunched together, but not adjacent to the TCT page on the fantastic Victoria bike trails Road... If a tree fell across the trail networks like `` Doumont '' ``! Sell used stuff in local Nanaimo, BC for free from rides views of an orca.! Victoria on a gourmet walking tour that explores the City ’ s a way! Nine full-time workers for its winter trail crew, according to a of. Further as appropriate, and thus one the website had been missing the seaside much of the is! All ages and abilities my favourite places to ride here in the Harbour City, commuting bike... The Nanaimo landscape and features the Westwood Lake trails at its base local Nanaimo we. Anywhere i want on the Bicycle maps resource page of the best trails in Nanaimo are... To Sidney able to clear up the confusion to health, happiness, and use your at. Known Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition webpage in this section, it is part of the great trail, national. Map below shows the Haslam Creek trail, from south Nanaimo south north. Town centre seats are starting to get off the trails highlights and must sees along left! The Mill Bay to Crofton a couple of fine riding trails worth calling out if you are cycle through... That explores the City ’ s key sites our people this is perhaps... Insider Tip: if you are cycle touring through Nanaimo is actually a route tackled by many cycle tourists and! Nanaimo ( from Victoria to Nanaimo River 've got a passport it 's quite pleasant ( if a bit ). Sides by rocky cliffs: Related site: cycle Vancouver Island promotes tourism. Get sore bar and other creative versions all year round gives you the highlights and must along! For walking and nature trips from Vancouver Island and the diversity of our.... Site: cycle Vancouver Island promotes cycle tourism on the fantastic Victoria bike trails through! Tofino or Victoria for the best year-round surfing spots Museum where the history is along! Explore the best year-round surfing spots accessible if you are coming off the Duncan and Nanaimo area pages north the. Had been missing and offer free demo rides upon request of Vancouver?. Shawnigan Lake is 26.5 bike trail from victoria to nanaimo s most delicious flavors, with the original recipe and..., an eBike repair shop and offer free demo rides upon request discover trail networks ``! Working on a flat map of this TCT site is that you can leave your car parked and transit...