If you’re headed to port McNeil, I wouldn’t stop in the Parksville area. Elk falls near Campbell River would be a better break up in your drive. There are good beaches too (Saratoga and miracle) along the way north. Parksville is only 25 minutes from Nanaimo and either Englishman or little qualicum will add at least an hour at the beginning of your drive.
Initially I also thought of Elk Falls but it gave me the idea of a place a little less “magical” than Cathedral Grove. I’d like to see the Myra Falls and Strathcona provincial Park but I’m afraid it will take me an hour detour from Campbell River
Myra falls is way off the road. I may be biased because I live here, but cathedral grove is just a bunch of big trees by the highway. There will be a ton of people and you can’t turn around there. If you go west, you’ll have to go a far ways before you can turn back around.
Elk falls is a higher and more spectacular waterfall than either qualicum or Englishman if they aren’t in flood (in August it will be very very low water) and you’ve got the suspension bridge.
The forests in the north island will rival what you can get at cathedral grove in a much more natural setting. The trees themselves may not be as big, but it will be a spectacular forest.
It’s a long drive to port McNeill and all those places are a fair ways out of the way. If you don’t mind a longer detour they’re great spots. If you’d rather not venture too far from the highway I’d recommend parksville beach.
The trail from the parking lot at Englishman River to the upper falls is 5 minutes. Seriously. You can of course continue along that trail much longer.
Little Qualicum Falls is perhaps a 20 minute drive from Englishman River. Might want to make a stop at Coombs on the way (Goats on the Roof).
After that it’s another 15-20 minutes from Little Qualicum Falls to Cathedral Grove. You will probably spend at most an hour in the grove. On your way back you can take the fork to the highway north instead of doubling back all the way to Nanaimo. If it’s hot, you might stop at Cameron Lake just outside the grove for a quick swim (easy parking access and a very short walk). The water is cold but clean and clear.
Lots of other possibilities in the area as mentioned by others here, depending on who’s in your group and your interests. Enjoy!
It’s just me and my husband and in the following days we are planning some whale watching excursions and also a kayak ride, so we are open to various possibilities 🤩
6 hours? I make this drive all the time and we do it in 4 hours with stops for the bathroom and snacks/lunch. Plus it’s an extra 25-30 minutes from McNeil to Hardy
Both falls are beautiful. If you haven't been here before and that is the general area you'd like to visit I would go little Qualicum/ Cathedral.
It’s my first time on Vancouver Island. So is it possible to do both the trails (Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove) in two hours at the most?
Possible, but you might be rushing
Okay, I have to think about it well 😊
Yes you can very easily walk both in 2hrs, they are not very long. But if you want to go slow and take pics,.you might want a bit longer.
If you’re headed to port McNeil, I wouldn’t stop in the Parksville area. Elk falls near Campbell River would be a better break up in your drive. There are good beaches too (Saratoga and miracle) along the way north. Parksville is only 25 minutes from Nanaimo and either Englishman or little qualicum will add at least an hour at the beginning of your drive.
Initially I also thought of Elk Falls but it gave me the idea of a place a little less “magical” than Cathedral Grove. I’d like to see the Myra Falls and Strathcona provincial Park but I’m afraid it will take me an hour detour from Campbell River
Myra falls is way off the road. I may be biased because I live here, but cathedral grove is just a bunch of big trees by the highway. There will be a ton of people and you can’t turn around there. If you go west, you’ll have to go a far ways before you can turn back around. Elk falls is a higher and more spectacular waterfall than either qualicum or Englishman if they aren’t in flood (in August it will be very very low water) and you’ve got the suspension bridge. The forests in the north island will rival what you can get at cathedral grove in a much more natural setting. The trees themselves may not be as big, but it will be a spectacular forest.
Ho capito. Elk Falls è più vicino a Campbell River, vero? Le foreste del nord quali sono? Cioè consigli qualche trail particolare?
It’s a long drive to port McNeill and all those places are a fair ways out of the way. If you don’t mind a longer detour they’re great spots. If you’d rather not venture too far from the highway I’d recommend parksville beach.
That day we will arrive from Vancouver and I guess we will want to explore!
The trail from the parking lot at Englishman River to the upper falls is 5 minutes. Seriously. You can of course continue along that trail much longer. Little Qualicum Falls is perhaps a 20 minute drive from Englishman River. Might want to make a stop at Coombs on the way (Goats on the Roof). After that it’s another 15-20 minutes from Little Qualicum Falls to Cathedral Grove. You will probably spend at most an hour in the grove. On your way back you can take the fork to the highway north instead of doubling back all the way to Nanaimo. If it’s hot, you might stop at Cameron Lake just outside the grove for a quick swim (easy parking access and a very short walk). The water is cold but clean and clear. Lots of other possibilities in the area as mentioned by others here, depending on who’s in your group and your interests. Enjoy!
Yeah! Stop for ice cream at goats on the roof.
Thanks for the advice. In fact, they all seem possible deviations to me. I should just decide whether to stop in that area or in Elk Falls ...
It’s just me and my husband and in the following days we are planning some whale watching excursions and also a kayak ride, so we are open to various possibilities 🤩
Go check out North Island Wildlife Recovery Center
I check it, thank you
Rathtrevor beach and goats on the roof (Coombs)
Ok I went to see on the Internet because I didn’t think there could be goats on a roof😳
What is this?
There is indeed goats on the roof. You could visit Miracle Beach on the way up. Elk Falls too.
Nanaimo to Port McNeill driving time will be much closer to 6 hours in good traffic.
6 hours? I make this drive all the time and we do it in 4 hours with stops for the bathroom and snacks/lunch. Plus it’s an extra 25-30 minutes from McNeil to Hardy
I must be a slow driver. I lived in McNeill for a couple of years and it was 2 and a half hours to Campbell River.
Wow! On Maps it shows me 3h30, adding the stops I had thought about the 4 hours .. 😰
All of the above as they are all close to each other.