Walk-Hike-Bike-Explore Vancouver Island

Walking, Hiking, Biking & Exploring Trails In Bowser, BC

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"WALKING IS THE NATURAL RECREATION FOR A MAN WHO DESIRES NOT ABSOLUTELY TO SUPPRESS HIS INTELLECT, BUT TO TURN IT OUT TO PLAY FOR A SEASON".
Leslie Stephen

The trail system in Lighthouse Country link up fairly nicely so that you can walk, hike, bike (some of the trails) & explore the more common trails found in the area which start from Dunsmuir Rd, just off Horne Lake Rd which comes down towards the coast off the Inland Highway, exit 75.

Some of the trails are named and some are not, so I will do my best to describe the routes & conditions of these trails.

Coming in from exit 75 (Nanaimo side) you will follow the road down towards the ocean & turn left onto West Island Highway (19A), drive through Qualicum Bay to Bowser (approximate 5 minute drive). Just before you reach Bowser Village on the left is Macoll Road, you want to turn up there, follow the road up & across the train tracks where you can park.

If you are coming from Courtenay area, take exit 87, Cook Creek exit. Once you hit the West Island Highway, turn right and with an approximate 5 minute drive you will come to Bowser. Drive through Bowser Village & the first road on your right is Macoll Rd.

There are 2 trails here that link up, so that makes it a nice loop creating a very pleasant & fairly easy walk, hike, bike!!, explore experience lasting roughly an hour depending on how fast you walk, hike, bike & explore. If you park on the left side of the parking area walk across the gravel road and head down the no-named trail in front of you. You will see a couple of trails branching off on your left from this main trail & these will take you up above the creek & are easy enough trails to walk, hike, bike & explore. Be aware that the trail you start off on goes down to the creek and then runs along the creek; this trail is not such an easy trail for biking due to fallen trees, other obstructions & the fact that you have to carry your bike up the bank to connect with the upper main trail.

Obstruction, a tree tunnel

Upper trail

steep & bumpy decline

If you are an experienced mountain biker that is accustomed to lugging your bike down banks & over logs etc., you probably won't find this trail too challenging. For inexperienced mountain bikers and children with bikes, I would not advise biking this lower trail. It is probably wise to walk the trail first & then make a judgement call on whether to go back & bike it.

Log obstruction

Gone too far

While walking, hiking, biking (!!) & exploring the lower trail, if you come to the creek with a log path going across the creek, you have gone too far. Just turn around & take a few steps back & you will see the trail heading up the bank. You need to follow that & that will bring you up to the upper trail which will take you out.

Once you have walked, hiked, biked & explored around this area you will come out onto the gravel road again, turn left on the road & head back down until you come to the Wildwood Community Park on your right. (Approximately 4-5 mins walk). This is a big field where kids can let loose to ride their bikes, run around, you can have a picnic, play Frisbee &/or throw sticks & balls for your dog etc.

When walking into Wildwood Community Park, on your left is a metal gate with a trail running on the left side of the gate. You want to take this trail which is called Alice's Trail. The trail goes either left or right, I suggest you take the right side going up the hill and follow it around. Be aware that it branches again so you want to follow it around on the left side otherwise you will end up crossing a creek and back to the park. (There is a sign for Alice's Trail).

It is not a very long trail, but very pretty & easy walking, hiking & biking & it won't be long before you come to the Lighthouse Country Trail. Once you are walking, hiking, biking & exploring Lighthouse Country Trail, which again is a loop, keep to the right of the trail as there are trails branching off which are just short cuts to the other side of this trail.

Knobbly tree roots on trail

Muddy & knobbly trail

You need to keep your eyes on this trail as there are a fair amount of tree roots on the path, and when it is raining this is a wet & muddy area, so have good hiking shoes & rain gear.

Map of Lighthouse Country Trail

It is a fairly popular biking trail, but as mentioned, keep your eyes open for tree roots etc. on the trail. This trail will go all the way around and back to where you have parked your vehicle. (See map above).

CAUTION: This is bear country, so be aware of that. I walk with a strong sturdy stick & wear a bear bell attached to my shoe lace, & my dog wears one on her collar. This is so we are warning the bears that we are around. The bear bells can be purchased in Bowser at the hard-ware shop or at the garden shop. The other option is to buy bear spray.

Please remember that you are responsible for your-selves & others in your party & don't forget your water bottle & a cell phone. Please be responsible about your dog poo & keep your dog on a leash if it is unpredictable. My other bit of advice is, if the winds are strong I stay out of the Lighthouse Country Trail as there are some old trees that could fall. It gets a little creaky in there!!

Douglas Fir Ecosystem

After you have had fun walking, hiking, biking & exploring these trails why not turn left when you come down Macoll Road onto West Island Highway & head into Bowser Village for a cup of coffee or tea. You will find the Bean Counter which serves all types of fancy coffees & teas along with great sandwiches made from the best multi-grain bread I've ever had. Or maybe you may fancy a soup or salad or the daily specials. It is hard to be disappointed with a visit to the Bean Counter.

Bowser's famous Bean Counter Cafe

There are some interesting and unique shops in the same strip mall as the Bean Counter which you can take a brows through. Lighthouse Country has some incredible artists & a lot of their work is found in the Salish Sea Market just up from the Bean Counter. Here you can find a variety of art work, all of it being one of a kind.

HAPPY WALKING, HIKING, BIKING & EXPLORING