DISCOVER British Columbia - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 21

Hill, Quail's Gate, and Hainle are three worthy stops (and all have restaurants open for
lunch and dinner).
Getaways to Adventure
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the varied opportunities for adventures in British Columbia.
Some can be enjoyed in just a day (plus travel time), but many of the activities involve mul-
tiple days to complete. Mix and match from the following highlights to create your own
adventurous getaway.
Hike the West Coast Trail
4-6 DAYS
Experienced backcountry hikers won't want to miss the rugged and remote West Coast
Trail, on Vancouver Island. This self-sufficient four-to six-day coastal trek starts west of
Victoria and ends near the remote village of Bamfield. The majority of hikers leave their
vehicle at one end of the trail and return to their starting point by scheduled shuttle. If you
don't have the time for the famed West Coast Trail, get a taste for the adventure in Juan de
Fuca Provincial Park, where short trails lead to wild coastal beaches.
Dive in the Strait of Georgia
1-2 DAYS
The shallow waters off Nanaimo are renowned for artificial reefs created by ships that have
been sunk especially for wreck diving. Tell the experts at Ocean Explorers Diving that you
want to try a dive, and let them choose a site that best suits your experience, whether it be
the 442-foot-long Saskatchewan or the popular snorkeling with seals option. Nanaimo's
Buccaneer Inn is the best divers' hangout.
Surf at Tofino
1 DAY
Surfing at the beaches off Tofino is made easy by Live to Surf, who will outfit you with a
wetsuit and surfboard for an hour or so of fun in the local breakers. Take a lesson if you've
never surfed before. Pacific Sands Beach Resort is designed especially for outdoorsy types
like yourself.
Camp in the Kootenays
4 DAYS
For camping adventure, concentrate on the Kootenays. Here, amid forests, mountains, and
lakes are dozens of delightful provincial park campgrounds. My faves? Gladstone for its