Hiking
From the Buttle Lake Area -- The 3km (1.9-mile) Upper Myra Falls Trail starts just past the Westmin mine operation. This 2-hour hike leads through old-growth forests and past waterfalls. The 6.6km (4.1-mile) Marble Meadows Trail starts at Phillips Creek Marine Campsite on Buttle Lake. It features alpine meadows and limestone formations; allow 6 hours round-trip. The 900m (2,953-ft.) Lady Falls Trail, which begins at the Hwy. 28 viewing platform, takes about 20 minutes and leads to a picturesque waterfall.
From the Paradise Meadows Trail Head (Mount Washington) -- The 2.2km (1.4-mile) Paradise Meadows Loop Trail is an easy walk through subalpine meadows, taking about 45 minutes. The 14km (8.7 mile) Helen McKenzie-Kwai Lake-Croteau Lake Loop Trail takes 6 hours and offers access to beautiful lakes and mountain vistas. There's designated camping at Kwai Lake. From Lake Helen McKenzie, the trail follows forested slopes over rougher terrain before rising to a rolling subalpine area to Circlet Lake, which offers designated camping. Allow 4 hours.
From Forbidden Plateau -- The 5km (3.1-mile), 2-hour Mount Becher Summit Trail starts at the former ski lodge and goes up one of the runs to the trail head near the T-bar. It provides excellent views of the valley and the Strait of Georgia.
Other Trails in Strathcona Park -- The Della Falls Trail is 32km (20 miles) round-trip. It starts at the west end of Great Central Lake (between Port Alberni and Tofino on Hwy. 4) and follows the old railway grade up the Drinkwater Valley. You must take a boat across the lake to get to the trail head. At Ark Resort, 11000 Great Central Lake Rd. (tel. 250/723-2657; www.arkresort.com), you can take a high-speed water taxi or rent a motorboat or canoe. The whole trip will take 3 to 6 days. The trail passes historic railroad logging sites and accesses Love Lake and Della Lake. Some unbridged river crossings can be hazardous.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
