Besides the outstanding, pristine scenery, the wildlife, both marine and land locked and the opportunity to experience the outdoors safely, Vancouver Island has some of the most challenging hiking trails in the world. But let’s work up to it slowly: I have seen first hand what it can do to the so-called amateur outdoors man.

On the south end of the island, starting in Saanich and winding its way around Victoria to the south-west coast, is the famous ‘Galloping Goose Trail’. Named after a rather strange looking railway carriage of earlier times, this former railway line right of way extends for fifty-five kilometers along wheelchair accessible terrain. Besides passing through a great variety of scenery it also has access to fishing, beaches, and areas for pot holing, kayaking and other water activities. To start us out on our fitness trails, take the Galloping Goose and try the fifty five kilometer walk: or maybe cycling would be easier for you to start out!

Well, while we are all warmed up, why not drive up to Strathcona Provincial Park, in the centre of the island, and do a bit of wilderness hiking. This is not only the oldest Provincial park on the island but the largest, and has the highest mountain peaks of the Vancouver Island Range; with several towering at over 2,000 meters in height. This list includes The Golden Hinde, which at nearly 2,200 meters is the tallest in the park and Elkhorn Mountain, just tens of meters shorter. One of the tallest waterfalls in Canada can also be found in this Park. Della Falls is 440 meters up which provides some astonishing and majestic views to those brave enough to manage the steep hike.. Of course all of this makes an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts and those who feel at home in nature and its surroundings. However, there are bears, cougars and other potentially dangerous animals.

Within Strathcona Provincial Park are dozens of different trails, ranging from easy to advanced. Some trails can be easily done in a less strenuous hike while others are several days long; all are wilderness trails with few amenities. Now I have you aching for more, so to speak, we can take a look at the Vancouver Island special, the West Coast Trail. What the big boys call “The real Canadian experience”. This is one tough hike! Besides being 75 kilometers in length it can take anywhere from five to ten days to travel. You will need to bring all your own supplies including food and water, and because of the location on the pacific coast side of the island it is only open to use between May and September. You have to get a permit, you will get lots of rain and mud, you will have to deal with tide changes, long steep climbs, tree ladders, steep cliffs, natural bridges and manually operated cable cars over deep chasms: and don’t forget the wolves and bears!

Vancouver Island is full of adventures for you to discover, so if you think you can handle a real hiking experience, head to the Pacific North-west and give these three suggestions a try. But come prepared, the British Army training group didn’t find it very easy, and neither will you. Think you are up to it?

Want to Discover more about Vancouver Island and the hiking trails? Visit http://www.Discover-Vancouver-Island.com a popular website that provides inside information for visitors to the island, including maps, pictures and videos.

But there is one!

An island with a history stretching back as far as the ice age, that perches on the western edge of a great continent and one that is growing very quickly as a “must see” destination.

Only about three hundred and fifty miles in length , Vancouver Island sits in the Straits of Georgia, north-west of Seattle and an hour and forty minutes by ferry from the mainland of British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver Island is home to the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria, and has been since 1850 at which time the interior gold rush brought prospectors and a supporting cast of many people to this pristine island.

Today, the temperate climate, stunning scenery and world class amenities make this island a travelers mecca, and for good reason: or to be precise, many good reasons. English speaking, well actually “Canadian” speaking, easy to drive and everything within fairly short distances helps make any vacation here very enjoyable and relatively stress free, especially as accommodations and food services are widespread, well located and of the highest standard: many rated the best on the continent and some, the best in the world.

But it’s the diversity that is the main attraction. Whale watching, body surfing, long cycling trails, wilderness camping, world class spa-resorts, museums, historical sites, famous gardens, ski-ing, sailing, salmon fishing, diving, real wild-life, or spa treatment with a Pacific ocean view. Home grown produce markets, fresh seafoods, local wineries, breweries and cideries, wilderness camping, bed and breakfast or famous five star hotels,

Vancouver Island supports it all and it’s there to be discovered. Jazz festivals, art festivals, opera, book fairs, antique fairs, garden tours, agricultural fairs, theaters and ghost walks. Marathons, cycling races, golf, lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey: and even the tall ships make an appearance!

Vancouver island is a celebration of agricultural, maritime and historical; of First Nations peoples and others from many nations. Of British and Spanish and Asian influences against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery: a wilderness with all the amenities. Quality shopping, extensive tourist services, modern transportation and yet, the unusual. Float plane services, eagles on the lamp posts, art galleries on the walls, eight hundred year old trees, sea kayaking and afternoon tea with triangular sandwiches.

But more to the point, what shall we have for lunch!

How about some local oysters to start with, followed by a home grown emu burger on a home baked bun with garden grown tomatoes and locally grown herbs picked fresh for the table. Perhaps some locally made goat cheese and a pint of ale brewed on the premises. Actually I think I will have a small glass of the locally made blueberry port wine with my home grown strawberries, although the flambe’ pears look rather nice!

Hey, take some time to Discover Vancouver Island for yourself, you will be glad you did.

About the Author

Dave is a retired Canadian who has taken up building websites. For more, in-depth information for the traveler to Vancouver Island visit ‘Discover Vancouver Island.com’ and check out the FREE travel videos!