by Keith and Heather Nicol
On July 11, 2016
we decided to check out the “Pub to Pub” trail which starts along the Oyster River,
roughly half way between Courtenay and Campbell River on Vancouver Island. It a
scenic trail with both river and ocean/beach views and if you like you can drop
into a pub at the start or at the end of your hike. Since the trail is just 3.5
km (1 way) it is suited to a variety of options. If you have young children or
walkers that would find 7 km too long a hike, you could park a car at each end
and just make the 1 way trip.
We started in
Courtenay with my brother Bruce and his wife Mary Ellen in tow and we drove north
along highway 19 A. Keep an eye out for the Oyster River bridge since you want
to turn right on the next road (Glenmore Road).
Then travel one roughly 1 block and then turn left on Regent and almost
immediately park in the parking lot with a sign Oyster River Nature Park. The
parking lot coordinates are 10 U 0347166E 5526405N. Then follow the Ferguson
Trail which is well signed and easy to walk on. After about 1 km you reach the
ocean and from there you follow the Jack Hames Trail to Salmon Point.
From there the
trail winds along the upper part of the beach and through the trees giving fine
views of Georgia Strait and mountains beyond. There are even some picnic tables
along the way for anyone wanting a scenic place to have lunch. Sometimes the
trail separates into 2 trails and there seemed to be some new cedar shavings
placed down on part of the trail just above the beach. After about 1 hour we
came out to Salmon Point Resort RV Park and Restaurant and the trail’s
end. Our GPS showed that we had walked
about 3.5 km. We fully recommend this trail since it offers scenic ocean views
and can be walked by a wide variety of people. Check it out on your next trip
to this area.
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