The superb terrain and the moderate climate make Vancouver Island, BC a Mecca for mountain biking. Active clubs and their members help maintain the numerous trails you will find throughout the island, ranging from easy family tracks to the very difficult rides that will challenge your physical fitness and your technical know-how.
In Victoria there’s the Galloping Goose, a multi use 60 km (37 mi.) trail that offers beauty and history. Other spots for mountain biking in the Victoria area are Millstream Highlands, Burnt Bridge, Can-Am Trails and the Hartland Surplus Lands/Mount Work Park.
The City of Nanaimo, which lies on the protected eastern side, features some of the best mountain biking on Vancouver Island. Here the most famous course is the Ultimate Abyss, that’s technically very difficult. Other trails in the Nanaimo area are Westwood Lake Loop and the Westwood Ridge/Rocky Road/3 Creeks Trail.
Next on your must riding list is found in Parksville, where crews of mountain bikers have created a biker’s park and maintain excellent trails. The A.M.C. Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park offers eight different moderate trails. For a more difficult ride, try the Hammerfest Race Course. Not far from Parksville is Hornby Island where there are twenty-one trails for your riding enjoyment.
For breath taking views and stellar mountain biking, the Courtenay Comox area is where it’s at. If you’re looking for that demanding ride both physically and technically the B21/Boston Main is waiting for you. Other challenging tracks are Tomato Creek, Nymph Falls and Arbutus. For the moderate level rider there’s Salamander, Bears Bait, Bevan Trail, Bics and The Dump or take it easy on flat single tracks with a ride on Seal Bay Nature Park.
Campbell River, where you will find world class fishing, is no slouch when it comes to mountain biking. Trails include Pumphouse, Skidmarks, Snowden Trails and Old Rail Grades. No matter where mountain biking takes you be safe, have fun!