Canada
First impression of Vancouver Island
Taking the ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, hiking at Paradise Meadows and ending the day at Elk Falls Provincial Park.
Taking the ferry to Vancouver Island
Both in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island, there are two harbours from where you can take the ferry. For this route, the best option is to take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. Dress warm, find a seat outside and enjoy the view and crisp sea breeze.
Hiking at Paradise Meadows 🥾
The first stop after docking in Nanaimo is Paradise Meadows and the name couldn’t be more fitting. It feels like stepping into a picture-perfect postcard. No matter which trail you choose here, you can’t go wrong. The 6 km Paradise Meadows Loop Trail was our pick and I can highly recommend it. The trail is mostly flat and takes you along a boardwalk around tranquil lakes. Definitely take the small detour to Battleship Lake! Good to know: in June the meadows are often still covered in snow.
Hiking to Elk Falls
From the parking lot, it’s a short walk through a forest to the 60-metre-high suspension bridge that offers a great view of Elk Falls and the gorge below.
