Many people don’t realize the abundance of trails and waterfalls in the Alberni Valley, and only pass through on their way to Tofino. The best time to go waterfall chasing in the area is from Fall to early Spring! Here is a guide to some of the best waterfalls near Port Alberni.
Hole in the Wall
Length: 1.43km (return)
Time: 25min
Difficulty: Easy, 50m elevation gain
This waterfall has gotten more popular over the years due to it’s uniqueness, and is a must see during your time in town. The hole is manmade and was built for a pipeline to pass through. The trailhead is before you enter town, and right across the street from Coombs Country Candy. The trail is well marked, but be careful when crossing the highway! Make sure to stop at Coombs Candy after your walk for some delicious homemade chocolate or ice cream.
Weiner Falls
Length: 1.65km return from Lower Weiner Falls
Time: 30min
Difficulty: Easy, but be warned the decent down to the base of the falls is VERY steep and slippery with some ropes to assist.
A lesser known set of falls in the area, it is a short hike with jaw dropping views and only 5min off the highway. The first set of falls you will hike to are the Lower Falls, but you can continue onwards for a view of the Upper Falls. The Lower Falls have a trail accessing the top of the waterfall where you can stand on the rock ledge and watch the power of the falls cascade below you. There is also a steep trail down to the base which is worth doing, but use caution as it’s a bit of a scramble. The pool below is great if you’re looking for a quick and chilly/refreshing dip.
As you drive along Highway 4 from Port Alberni towards Tofino, take the road on your right that is across the street from Sproat Lake Landing. Turn right immediately onto a logging road, and after about 100m turn left. Just before the bridge, take the right turn and park under the powerlines. Follow the trail uphill under the powerlines for about 10min until you see a trail to your left, this will lead you to the falls.
Fossli Provincial Park
Length: 3.8km (return)
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate, 115m elevation gain
A beautiful trail leading through a mossy and fern filled rainforest to the south side of Sproat Lake. The trail features a suspension bridge crossing over St Andrew’s Creek and a waterfall. Make sure to turn right off the trail to do the loop onto the creekside trail for the waterfall and views of mossy maple trees. Once you get to the beach at Sproat Lake, it is a great spot for a swim. Continue onwards and loop back around to connect back to the main trail. Fossli was named by Norwegian settlers and means “waterfall in the valley.” Driving on logging roads is required to reach the trailhead, but 4WD isn’t necessary. Just drive with caution and always give the right of way to logging trucks.
Cold Creek Falls
Length: 1.63km (return)
Time: 30min
Difficulty: Easy, 55m elevation gain
This trail is part of the longer Log Train Trail (5km). If you are just looking for a quick hike to the waterfall, park at the end of Milligan Rd. Walk along the logging road for a couple minutes until you see a marked trail on your right. This trail will lead you down to Cold Creek. Right before the bridge, there is a sign pointing to the small trail on your left which leads to the falls. The trail follows the beautiful creek, and you’ll soon see a large rock wall to the left as you ascend towards the waterfall.
China Creek Falls
Length: 3.5km (return)
Time: 1hour 10min
Difficulty: Easy until the end with moderate steepness, 127m elevation gain
China Creek is probably one of the most beautiful creeks on the Island. The trail leads you to a waterfall swimming hole, with multiple other spots along the river where you can enjoy the turquoise crystal clear waters. With a couple steep sections near the end assisted with rope, it is not nearly as steep as Weiner Falls. The pool at the bottom is the perfect spot for a swim in the summer time. Located just south of town, drive a couple minutes down Bamfield Main logging road and park beside the yellow gate on your left. From the yellow gate, walk a few steps towards the bridge and look for a small sign in the trees stating the trailhead.
Stamp River Provincial Park
Length: 1.38km (return)
Time: 25min
Difficulty: Easy, 40m elevation gain
The interesting part about this set of falls is the fish ladder and salmon viewing you can experience during the Fall salmon run. There are also tv screens where you can watch webcam footage below the surface of the salmon. The sheer power of this river makes you truly appreciate how impressive a creature salmon are. We only did the short trail along the river, but it extends into 8km if you are looking for a longer hike in this beautiful ecosystem.
Looking for more waterfalls on Vancouver Island? Don’t miss the best waterfalls between Courtenay and Chemainus!
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