Smoke and Strut Top 10 hikes for Cannabis Smokers on Vancouver Island
There's nothing like smoking in nature, being surrounded by trees and plants, maybe sit near a waterfall or a different body of water. Here in B.C. you can smoke in any park besides in campground common areas and within 6 meters on a playground. This is awesome since we have so much to see and do here on Vancouver Island.
There are somethings you will need to be aware of on your hikes and out in the woods.
1. Pack In What You Pack Out! Meaning please don't leave your snack wrappers or drink containers. Be sure to bring them back to your car with you or dispose of them correctly.
2. Be Fire Safe! The past few years we’ve has a lot drier conditions making it easier for forest fires to start. So I always bring a container I can fill with a bit of water and ash my joints in or my pipe bowl.
3. Don’t Get Lost! Now that everyone has a cell phone we can pre download maps and follow the map to keep on track. There is a mountain bike trail app called trailforks, it has all the trails I'm going to talk about. Trailforks allows you to follow yourself on the map and see all the trails near you as you pass them.
4. Bring Snacks! A lot of these trails take a few hours, I don’t know about you but i tend to get hungry when I smoke.
How should I consume when out and about ?
Doobie - Always a good choice besides the smell, joints get you real high and they are perfect for sharing.
Vape pen - Vape pens are perfect for these kind of trips. Just be sure to charge it up before you go out. (don’t know how many times this has happened to me get way out in the bush and have no way to get high)
Pipe - Like a joint, pipes are very good for sharing and are super portable. Pipes can give huge hoots as well it can be fun to blow smoke into the woods.
Edibles - A smaller dose can most definitely enhance your outdoor experience but a bigger does can also be fun.
Unbreakable piece - personally I have two silicone bongs one specifically for hiking and camping there's nothing quite like smoke by the river using the water from the river in the bong.
My Go To Hikes:
Seal Bay Nature Park
Seal Bay Nature Park is located northeast of Courtenay on Bates road. The road divides the park into two parts. On the east side of the road is an amazing rocky beach along the ocean. The trail down to the water is carved out of a huge lush second growth forest. There are benches on the way down to stop and take in the scenery. Seals can be heard barking in the distance. Once down on the beach you can light one up and start to explore the ocean side. There is lots of structures built from driftwood and big logs to sit and watch for whales. The west side of the road is a loop around the melda marsh the trail is called the swamp loop, don’t let that deter you though. This hike has lots of fallen trees to walk across and bridges over streams filled with frogs and otters. There are huge stumps to climb inside and look out points that overlooks the marsh.
Rosewall Creek Provincial Park
This hike is a bit south of Courtenay, only accessible by the ocean highway. After parking start walking toward the highway, be sure to cross the bridge of the highway (the trail is on the north side of the river). I usually spark up a doob at this point, there is minimal wind since you are pretty deep in the woods. The trail is partly washed away near the beginning from a flood a few years back but there is a relatively well used trail there now. There is a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail with a rather deep swimming hole beneath the waterfall.
Willowbrae Trail / Halfmoon Bay
The Willowbrae Trail is the beginning part of the trail to Half Moon Bay. The trail is located in Ucluelet on the westside of Van Island. At the beginning of the willowbrae trail you get your first taste of the humongous trees and vegetation the island has to offer. After about a km you will come to a point where you have to either go down straight down to a beach or go left, GO LEFT. This will take you to Halfmoon Bay you will instantly be greeted with more trees, giant ferns and long stretches of boardwalks keeping you above the forest floor. There are some fallen giants along the boardwalk where you can see the network of roots that one tree has. Once you come to the stairs you are mostly there. At the bottom of the stairs you will find a seemingly deserted beach. When ever I have been here I've only seen a hand full of people. It’s the perfect beach to whip out the bong and snacks and get settled.
Hole In The Wall
This place is kind of different, park at the Coombs Country Candy store which is located to the right, as soon as you come into Port Alberni coming from the east side of the island. The trail head is across the highway, to the right of the concrete barriers. Start walking straight, soon there will be a clearing and the path goes right or left, GO RIGHT. The trail will have a few turnoff points but keep going straight. Walk for about 10 minutes and there will be a mountain bike disc brake that has been consumed by a tree turn right here. At the bottom of the hill there, you will see the hole in the wall. It’s a cool place to explore, Inuksuks have been built all around the river bed. You can also go through the hole the the river on the other side. If you turn left the trail take you down stream where you will find a waterfall that has a rope swing into the pool created by the waterfall. This is an awesome place to smoke and enjoy the water.
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
This trail is located near Parksville closer to a town called Errington. It has a huge waterfall with a bridge that crosses over top of them. This allows you to get some awesome photos of the falls. On the other side of the falls you can turn left or right. The left turn takes you to the top of the falls there is also a picnic table beside the water it’s a nice place to have a snack. If you take a left it will take you down the river from the falls. This area is usually heavily populated, especially in the summer months so I usually use my vape and maybe and edible for this hike. There are big grand fir trees along this trail. Towards the bottom of the river there is another bridge to take you back to the parking lot. At this bridge there is a part where the river gets calm and the water is deep. It’s always a perfect place to take a dip.
Newcastle Island
Newcastle Island is located in the Nanaimo harbour. It’s a very short ferry ride that only costs $8 return. Depending on the route you take, expect to be on the island for most of the day. Be sure to bring snacks, water and weed. Cannabis is only permitted at the campsites but you can easily smoke without anyone knowing. The island is amazing with lots to see. There are many beaches, a lake and a viewpoint facing SugarLoaf Mountain, there is also a campground with fire pits. Albino Racoons can be spotted as well as seals and otters.
Cable Bay Trail
Cable Bay Trail is located south of Nanaimo near Cedar. The trail flows through the forest for 2 km, down to the ocean facing Gabriola island. This is a designated off leash area so it cool to bring your pooches while you smoke one by the water. If you keep following the trail it will take you to Dodds Narrows where Vancouver Island meets Mudge Island. Here the current flows towards Gabriola and towards Van Island. This creates a huge flow of water, if your lucky you might see seals here catching fish. This is quite a spectacle to see.
Hollands Creek Trail
This awesome trail is right in the heart of Ladysmith. My favorite way to get to this trail is from dogwood road, there is a parking lot here. This is a loop trail that takes about 2 hours. If you take the side of the trail that the parking lot is on you can go through a more forested area and it will take you to the other side eventually. On the other side you can park on the corner of 6 Ave and Methuen St. This part is wheelchair accessible. This trail has a few waterfalls and is and awesome nature walk.
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
This hike is way down island close to Victoria and easily accessible from willis point road. This park is huge and has over 20 km of trails and amazing nature views. The ocean near the bottom is usually calm and there are many spots to hang out by the water. There are lots of old concrete structures to explore and loads of wildlife.
Mystic Beach
This magical hike is located an hour and a half north west of victoria. The trail from the parking lot to Mystic Beach is an hour hike, and is covered in big roots to climb over and huge trees to look at. The beach is down a creaky wooden stairway. Mystic Beach has such fine beautiful sand the ocean here seems clearer. It’s easy to spend the days laying on the beach here. There are often people the whole way to the beach and at the beach so discreet puffing is encouraged.
All of these hikes are awesome, whenever I am in the area I try to go and walk the trails there. I’ve always had great times here and have always left with amazing photos.
Written by Scotty Frey
References:
At the trails themselves and Google maps
