I am torn!!
we are planning a 12 day trip to coastal BC. We have, in the past, spent a week in Ucluelet and its region and would now explore something else. We like to move slowly, not rush and we enjoy hiking.
I am hesitating between the following options
land in Victoria, spend a few days in Sooke or Port Renfrew, 2-3 in Strathcona Provincial Park, 3 more on Cortes Island and then return to Victoria to fly home (may be stop en route on a southern Gulf Island for a day)
vs
land in Victoria, same thing on the West Coast then on to Cortes and over to the Sunshine Coast for 3-4 days and then either come back to Victoria or fly home from Vancouver.
May be for someone who knows the area well it is an easy choice.
I chose Cortes because it looked nice, no particular reason. Any other island would be fine too, we wanted to spend some time on an island.
Any comment would be appreciated!
With more time, or on another trip, it would be great to go over to Sunshine Coast and then up to Squamish, where the hiking is spectacular. But ferries/lineups will eat up far to much of your time and I'd advise staying on the island.
If you go into Strathcona via Campbell River then Cortes makes sense. If you go in via Mt. Washington, then I'd look at Denman/Hornby, which have some hikes and (especially Hornby) are very beautiful tho busier than Cortes. Those islands would also be more convenient if you do decide to ferry over to Powell River.
Head to Port McNeill-northern Vancouver Island is quite unlike the rest and far from the tourist hordes.
Thank you! I LOVE both recommendations!
here is how I have used them to plan this itinerary
Days 1-3: Sooke or Port Renfrew
Days 4-5: hiking near Strathcona park/Gold River
Days 6-8: Cortes Is.
Days 9-11: Port McNeill
Day 12: Qualicum Beach
Day 13: to Victoria via Salt Spring Is. for an early flight the following am.
Does it look right?
we like to hike, enjoy the scenery and not go too fast
Johanne
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