Quadra Island Hiking Trails
Quadra Island Hiking Trails
Beech’s Mountain Trail
Access: Via Chinese Mountain parking Lot, from the Heriot Bay store, take the Hyacinthe Bay Road for 6.7 kilometers to Walcan Road, Travel 600 meters up the Walcan Road.
Distance/Time: 4 hours return
Difficulty: Strenuous, elevation gain 465 meters
Condition: Not maintained
Views of the Strait of Georgia, the surrounding islands and mountains are at every turn. Track the south Chinese Mountain trail to the fork, there should be a sign there. Follow the trail but expect exposed mossy rock faces. Toward the west peak of Chinese Mountain there is a bit of a ridge-edge rock scramble. This trail can be treacherous when it is wet, beware of the slippery rock.
Blindman’s Bluff/Eagle Ridge
Access: From Heriot Bay, proceed north to the first left off Hyancinthe Bay Road immediately after Lakeburg Road. Approach 2.5 kilometers to the Missing Link sign to the right, you can park here or continue 1.3 kilometers to the trailhead.
Distance/Time: 1 kilometer
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Condition: Unknown
Follow the old Missing Link trail, which is an old deactivated logging road, cross the stream and climb onto open bluffs with great views over Quadra Island and the wetlands below. Hike south from the trailhead to a viewpoint of a vertical granite wall. Great view of Vancouver Island.
Chinese Mountains
Access: From the Heriot Bay Store, take the Hyacinthe Bay Road for 6.7 kilometers to Walcan Road, travel 600 meters up the Walcan Road.
Distance/Time: 2 to 3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Condition: Good
There are two peaks that compromise the Chinese Mountains, the north Peak trail is easier but the view from the south peak is second to none. The view encompasses the Coast Range of mountains, Desolation Sound, the most southerly of the Discovery Islands and Vancouver Island.
From the parking lot; take the left hand trail around the base of the mountain, travel about 500 meters keeping right, uphill at the signed fork. The trail down is a short connection to the Morte Lake trail. The path to the viewpoint is well marked ridge walk, passing a fork that leads down the east side of south peak.
To reach the south peak take the right hand trail form the parking lot up a fairly steep old logging road. At the well marked fork, go left to the south summit ridge and join the trial coming up for the west side. For the north peak, begin as for the south peak but keep straight where the incline ceases. Take note of your surroundings it is easy to walk off the trail in this alpine environment.
Note: This area is known for its ticks, the active season is usually in the spring, please check yourselves and your animals, carefully after a hike and wear a hat and shouldered shirt for protection.
Haskin Farm Trail
Access: The corner of Smith Road and Heriot Bay Road.
Distance/Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
This trail takes you right to the beach; you can either walk along the trail that parallels the beach or stay on the trail which will take you to Animal Farm Road.
Heriot Ridge - Hope Spring Trail
Access: From Heriot Bay travel north on Hyacinthe Bay Road for 1.4 kilometers, turn left or (west) on Hope Spring Road, there are two well marked parking lots.
Distance/Time: 1 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Condition: Good
There are a number of small connected trails that travel through mature second growth timber in this network, each offering a view in a different direction. An easy gradient gains you the ridge
For a magnificent view of the mainland of Vancouver Island, take one small trail for a quick walk or explore several looping trails and make a day of it.
Kay Dubois Trail
Access: From the north, access is from The end of Smith Road and to the south access is from the end of Sutil Road.
Distance/Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
The trail follows the shoreline for about 5 kilometers, affording views of Sutil Channel, Marina island, Cortes Island, Hernando and Mitlenatch Island.
Lighthouse Walk
Access: 9 kilometers from the Quathiaski Cove ferry south to Lighthouse Road.
Distance/Time: 1.3 kilometers one way – 45 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
Following the southern coast of Quadra Island for about 1.5 kilometers this trail meanders on the beach and through grassy meadows past Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge, south to the high sand cliffs that are the are prominently displayed at the most southern tip of Quadra Island. This trail has many interesting facets including; ancient petroglyphs that appear on the beach at low tide.
The Quakiutl Museum at Cape Mudge village contains molds of all the petroglyphs discovered in this area.
Maude Island - Seymour Narrows
Access: From the Heriot Bay store, take the Hyacinthe Bay Road for 6.1 kilometers to Walcan Road; turn left (west) for 750 meters to the well marked Morte Lake parking area. The trailhead is 100 meters west of the outflow creek at Morte Lake.
Distance/Time: 5 – 6 hours return from Morte Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Condition: Good
The trail follows an old cat track to the west, descending into a logging road between Saltwater Lagoon and Plumper Bay. Turn left on this logging road, travel 300 meters beyond a rock pit to the sign for the trail. Follow the right fork that goes a short distance through an old slide area. Just beyond this a lower return trail joins the main trail from the left, travel past this intersection and continue upward to the rock bluffs overlooking the Lagoon and Maude Island. The descent from here is steep to where there is a junction with two signs. The left junction will be your return trial to Saltwater Lagoon.
Continue to the right at this fork, the trail to Seymour Narrows, skirts above a small bay then follows a deactivated construction road that leads to Maude Island. The causeway may be removed soon as there is a tidal energy test planned for this passage. Cross the causeway to Maude Island, climb the incline, passing more relics of the Ripple Rock tunneling evidence to an excellent viewpoint overlooking Seymour Narrows.
Currents here can be at speeds can excess of 16 knots. Time your hike so that you may see Seymour Narrows at its best when the tide is in full flood.
Morte Lake
Access: From the Heriot Bay store, take the Hyacinthe Bay Road for 6.1 kilometers to Walcan Road; turn left (west) for 750 meters to the well marked Morte Lake Parking area.
Distance/Time: 7.2 kilometers – 2 hours return
Difficulty: From moderate to strenuous
Condition: Good
The south shore loop is an easy forest hike with good views of Morte Lake, and Chinese Mountains. The trail follows a gentle incline above McKercher Creek to the east end of Mort Lake. Stay to the left just before the lake, past a marshy area by a sandy beach at the end of the lake. There are some low lands at Mud Lake and Reed Lake.
For the North shore, stay to the right at the fork before Morte Lake and follow the trail around the north side of the lake. A 3 kilometer strenuous section will add about an hour to your hiking time. The Quadra Conservancy property which was purchased by the community in 1993 is at the west end of the Morte Lake trail.
Mount Seymour
Access: From Hyacinthe Bay Road, take the Granite Bay Road for 2 kilometers to the Mount Seymour Parking lot to the west (left hand side of the road). You should see a well marked trail head.
Distance/Time: 4-5 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Condition: Good
Take the first fork to the left about 1 kilometer into the trail, than another 1 kilometer later there is a well marked short connector to the Nugedzi Lake trail. A sign marks the beginning of the route up to Mount Seymour. The trail is marked by cairns and flagging with many changes in direction.
Mount Seymour is the tallest mountain on Quadra Island, be prepared to gain about 650 meters in elevation.
Newton Lake - Small Inlet - Surge Narrows
Access: From Heriot Bay, follow Hyacinthe Bay Road to Village Bay Lakes Road. Cross the bridge and turn left (north) onto Surge Narrows Road, travel to just past Mine Lake. The trail head is 6.2 kilometers from the bridge. Do not drive down to the water.
Distance/Time: 2 to 3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate
Condition: Good
Hike along the shoreline from the end of the road to Surge Narrows Provincial Park. Cross the creek via a new 12 meter footbridge to a small saddle. From here the trail is obvious.
There are three main points of interest on this trail. The first views the tidal rapids and islets of Surge Narrows and is marked with signage. The second is from the bay just to the north, the path continues over a small hill to a bit of a rock scramble where there is a fixed rope for assistance. The third viewpoint is a small islet at the south end of the narrows and is only accessible at low tide. It affords a unique view of Beazley Passage. Make sure you access the tide schedules for the day you don’t want to get stuck and be unable to make it back.
Nugedzi Lake Trail
Access: Travel 9.1 kilometers on Hyancinthe Bay Road from Heriot Bay, turn left (west) onto the old Plumper Bay Road, there is a sign posed with direction to Nugedzi Lakes. The parking lot is about 100 meters up the road.
Distance/Time: 4.25 kilometers, 4 to 5 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Condition: Good
Follow the main trial as it ascends Plumper Bay Road, then angle right, to the lily pond about 3 kilometers in. Turn right at the junction and continue northwest 1.5 kilometers to Nugedzi Lake.
This trail holds some unique and special topography. Once you are on high mountain ridge there are small islets on the lake that contain natural occurring west coast old growth bonsai trees. I have never seen anything like it in our area.
Rebecca Spit
Access: From Quathiaski Cove, travel west on Quathiaski Road, turn left (north) on Green Road to Heriot Bay Road, turn left again on School Road to re-connect with Heriot Bay Road, travel 4 kilometers to Rebecca Spit Road.
Distance/Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
Park at the northern-most parking lot and access the trails through the open field. From there the trail meanders paralleling the beach at the end of the spit. There are views of Sutil Channel, Drew Harbour and The Spit itself. The trail also passes close by an eagles nest about 300 meters in. Listen you can often hear the eagles calling from the nest.
Old Community Hall Trail
Access: 3.4 kilometers from the Quathiaski Cove ferry via West Road
Distance/Time: 2.3 kilometers one way – 40 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
The trail begins in Blenkin Park and ends at private property just before reaching Heriot Bay Road. The trail branches off about 1 kilometer from the beginning and ends again 200 meters in at the bog.
From the Community hall property , the trails goes onto an old Airstrip bruit by Steve Cosmic. Today this well groomed trail provides an enjoyable walk.
Photo Courtesy of bushpilotproductions
Shellalligan Pass
Access: Access is from Village Bay Forestry Service Road, directional signs at 2.3 kilometers south of Village Bay Lakes Road. Or from Village Bay Lakes Road, 4 kilometer from Valdes Drive. By the wood lot there is a trail sign. Drive from here 1.7 kilometers to the trailhead.
Distance/Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Condition: Good
Counter clockwise travel, the Shellalligan Pass trails ventures down to the bay, and then follows the shoreline; from there it rises steeply to a signed fork. The shortest route is to the left (south) that takes 2 hours to complete the loop. There is a 60 meter elevation gain. The big loop route climbs 100 meters and travels to the right at the fork and descends again, traveling past two beaches before reaching Village Bay Forest Service Road leading back to the logging road.
Stramberg Lake
Access: 9.6 kilometers north on Hyacinthe Bay Road from Heriot Bay to Granite Bay Road. Another 1.2 kilometers, to the bottom of the hill, then turn left (northwest). Travel 1.5 kilometers on Open Bay Main Road to an earth Bern and a ditch which is now a barrier on the road leading to the lake. Park here well off the road.
Distance/Time: 1 kilometer
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
Along the lake shore, this trail is a tranquil shaded route through second growth forest and offers an opportunity to see an active beaver dam up close. This route also links the Mount Seymour Trail with Stramberg Lake.
Thompson Trial
Access: From the end of Hope Springs Road, follow the Hope Springs trail and make two consecutive right turns to reach the old Gowlland Harbour trail. Immediately at the fork in the road, hike right (northeast) to yet another fork, another right again (south this time) and you reach the Thompson Road trail.
Distance/Time: 1.3 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Good
The Thompson trail connects the Hope Spring trail and the Old Gowlland Harbour trail and back to Thompson Road. Following a creek this trail offers a symphony of sound throughout its entire length.
