Vancouver Island

Parksville Qualicum Beach

Photo by Ambrose Weingart - Hammerfest Trail Network

Parksville Qualicum Beach includes the surrounding beach communities from Nanoose Bay to Deep Bay and inland encompassing Cathedral Grove, Coombs and Errington.

The Hammerfest Trail Network was created 30 years ago and is one of the oldest networks on Vancouver Island (also the home trails of pro-riders Darren Berrecloth and the late Jordie Lunn). The entrance to the trail network starts at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park where camping is available seasonally.

The network is made of 99 trails (91 kms) ranging from machine built greens (Milky Way, Little Dipper and Big Dipper Loops), classic tight XC singletrack (Betty's Bridge, Hugh's Jaunt), fast flow (Locomotion, Scooby Doo), steeps (DUI), and rocky technical ridges (Tomcat Ridge, Insurrection), to double-black jump lines (Dirt Farm). And there are countless boardwalks, bridges and rock features to make things interesting. The 513 m climb to the top (take the Barefoot climb trail to the power lines) is rewarded with expansive views of the Salish Sea, Mount Moriarty, and local favourite trails like Tomcat Ridge.

Nearby, in Qualicum Bay, is Lions Bike Park with green, blue and black jump lines. There are also four breweries in the area and plenty of camping and accommodation options to make Parksville Qualicum Beach the perfect mountain biking getaway.

Number of Trails:

142

Highest Elevation:

654 m

Trails:

easy: 32
intermediate: 72
difficult: 32
extra difficult: 5

Getting Here & Trail Access

Just 30 minutes drive north of the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo.

Parksville Qualicum Beach is situated on the eastern side of Vancouver Island between Nanaimo and Cumberland (Comox Valley).

Driving Distances and Times:

Victoria - 150 km (93 mi), 2 hours, 10 minutes
Duke Point Ferry Terminal - 53 km (33 mi), 45 minutes
Nanaimo (Departure Bay Ferry Ternminal) - 35 km (22 mi), 30 minutes
Cumberland (Comox Valley) - 70 km (43 mi), 40 minutes

The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is centrally located, providing easy access to all points on central and northern Vancouver Island with daily direct flights from major cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and more on Pacific Coastal Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, and Harbour Air.

Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is located 15 minutes south of Nanaimo with regional and interprovincial flights available with Air Canada and West Jet.

Harbour Air offers daily seaplane service to the Nanaimo Harbour from downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour), Richmond (YVR South Terminal/Fraser River) and Sechelt (Sunshine Coast).

Iskwew Air offers daily flights between Qualicum Beach Airport and YVR South Terminal.

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