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West Coast Adventures |
| Vancouver
Island has some of the last stands of old growth forest accessible
to the public.
Carmanah Valley was saved from logging after period of much
public protest in the middle and late 1980’s. In 1990
the Carmanah Provincial Park was created and in 1995, the Walbran
and Upper Carmanah Valley were added, forming the Carmanah-Walbran
Provincial Park. This area contains a spectacular forest ecosystem
that encompasses 16 450 hectares of coastal rain forest. It
is recommended that you visit the Carmanah in the summer, as
it can be very wet in the other seasons.
Among the attractions of the forest are the spectacular
groves of Sitka spruce. These trees, among the world’s
largest, can grow to heights of over 95 metres (over
300 feet), and live for more than 800 years! Cedars in
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park have been estimated to be more than 1000 years old!
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Tofino/Ucluelet
Yes…the wild side of Vancouver Island…what a
place! How about a springtime viewing of the migrating grey
whales, or a stroll along the beaches of the west coast?
From the magnificence of Long Beach, look out to sea after
a storm and observe nothing but a passing cruise ship or
a freighter, and waves thundering in the open ocean!
This area has something for everyone! Choose to visit galleries
of local aboriginal art and jewellery, or maybe you’d
prefer to take a short hop to Hot Springs Cove or Meares
Island, where you can see some of the biggest trees in the
area.
Bamfield
For those who want to see the west coast in silence and
tranquillity… may we suggest the beautiful little
town of Bamfield? For those who truly want to get away
from it all, this is the place! From Port Alberni,
take a leisurely cruise on the MV Lady Rose to the
town of Bamfield, and then spend a day or two at a
B&B.
Hike the many trails there, or visit some of the local
artists’ galleries. If you want to take the road
less travelled… Bamfield is the place.
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