Parks, Trails, Hiking, Outdoor Adventures
Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, B.C., Canada
Cortes Island Parks, Trails and Nature Areas, Gulf Islands
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- Discovery Islands: The island Cortes helps force the ocean tides into a powerful bottleneck with the help of the other island creating small rip tides, upwellings and whirlpools. Some great waters for ocean kayaking and boating. The area of Bute Inlet, just tucked behind Stuart Island is a popular area for wildlife viewing kayaking especially Black Bears, Bald eagles, Blue Herons, Elk, etc.
[ more info about the Discovery Islands ... ]
- Desolation Sound: Desolation Sound consists of many islands and ocean channels teaming with life around Copeland Islands, West Redonda Island and East Redonda Island. Navigational kayaking is an adventure of a lifetime exploring along the currents of Waddington Channel, Homfray Channel, Lewis Channel, Pryce Channel and Toba Inlet. [ more info about Desolation Sound... ]
Carrington Provincial Park. Cortes Island has many forested walking trails which provide access to the
sandy shores like Carrington Provincial Park. Carrington Provincial Park is a natural park area full of lush vegetation and scenery.
- Easter Bluff Hiking Trail. A look out accessed by a forested trail offers up views from some Cortes Island' s highest peak at the end of the Easter Bluff Hiking Trail. The views from the Easter Bluff Hiking Trail look out over the surrounding valleys and coastlines.
- Gorge Harbour Marina.
Just south of Whaletown is the secluded harbour and Gorge Harbour Marina. The marina is a central point for marine activity. Gorge Harbour Marina has a beach for some relaxing.
- Green
Mountain. A mountain on Cortes Island that is moderately difficult and tend to draw day hikers and the off roading mountain bikers. Green Mountain will not disappoint and is always a good work out with some natural wilderness views.
- Hague
Lake. Cortez Island has a lake named Hague
Lake that is a popular swimming hole for the locals and visitors that know it exists. Hague
Lake has some sandy beaches and is big enough for a beach stroll. There are
some
trails
at
Hague
Lake for the curious. Power boats are not allowed on the lake.
- Kw’as
Park Trails. Located in a 173 acre forested area between Hague and Gunflint
Lakes on the southern portion of Cortes Island. The trails pass through an astounding
variety of ecosystems, including a wet spruce grove, a ridge with red cedars,
a valley with tall alders and high open bluffs with pine, arbutus and manzanita.
The old growth trail meanders through virgin forests.
- Manson's Landing Provincial Park. This is a fabulous location for day walks on easy grade trails. Trails lead you in and around Manson's Landing Provincial Park with some trails leading to Mansons
Lagoon. Boating
and ocean swimming are encouraged. Beach walking along sandy, pebbled beaches.
Wonderful scenery.
- Mitlenatch Island. A wonderful one-of-a-kind west coast experiences is a boat ride out to Mitlenatch Island. Here, at this special island, the weather
is exceptional for the west coast with an anomaly - cacti growing on the island. Mitlenatch Island is a bird sanctuary
and is also known as a place where the northern and southern tides meet creating some interesting tidal currents. Sea Lions often
sunbathe on Mitlenatch Island. Access from boat only.
- Old Whaling Station. This is a rarity in BC and it is near
Whaletown on Cortes Island. The old whaling station is often visited ny the curious as the whaling station has been left behind and now it is on display. A look at how things were in the peak whaling days. See how whaling was a main source
of employment in the pioneer days.
- Smelt Bay Provincial
Park. Long sandy beach with a western exposure with fantastic scenic beach
walks in either direction can be found at Smelt Bay Provincial
Park. Here at this park, it is accessed by vehicle and better viewed hiking through the heavily
wooded forests of old growth cedar. The Smelt Bay Provincial
Park trail starts across the road from Healing
Waters, southern Cortes. Smelt Bay Provincial
Park has camping, day use areas, and a large
beach and meadow area where outdoor celebrations are often held by the locals.
Salt water swimming is good here
- Squirrel Cove. On Cortes Island there is Squirrel Cove. A beach retreat covered in mini pebbles decorating the feet of the local pier and the surrounding landscape. Great area for beach
walking and sun worshipping. Located on the eastern side of Cortes Island.
- Von
Donop Inlet Marine Park. The are of Von
Donop Inlet Marine Park has a trailhead that starts nearby near the Squirrel Cove area and
is a great area for hiking and biking. It offers spectacular scenery and a ton of oysters.
Supply your own butter .Located near Squirrel Cove east Cortes.
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HOMEPAGES:
- British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Island
- Gulf Islands
- Cortes Island
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Cortes Island
Parks and Trails
