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LONG BEACH VANCOUVER ISLAND |
Via the Pacific Rim Highway |
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Approximately a 5 hour drive from Victoria the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is a national treasure. Add in some time for stops though, as there are many great spots to visit and scenic views along the way. Whether a day trip, over night camping or RVing Canada's Pacific Rim National Park Reserve should not be missed when visiting Vancouver Island Canada. |
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As a day trip if you leave Victoria around 6 am you can reach Long Beach Pacific Rim National Park around 11 am or so, spend 2 to 3 hours exploring and still get back to Victoria around 7 pm. Best to reserve a B&B or campsite to fully enjoy the area. |
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One of your first stops after taking the overpass before Nanaimo and heading east on the 4A Alberni highway to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve should be Coombs. Lots great little shops and of course the goats on the grass roof of the Old Country Market and it did have an awesome burger, dig the coffee cups. |
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Next comes Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park a small area of preserved lush old-growth forest some as old as 800 years. Great photo op's but watch the kids when parking as the trail head is across the two lane highway.
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Sign at park entrance reads "See Cathedral Grove on a short loop walk that takes you through a forest of giant trees. The largest are 800 years old, but most sprouted when a fire opened the forest about 300 years ago". Viewing platforms and interpretive signs are found along the looping trail, well worth the stop.
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Port Alberni in the Alberni Valley will be your next stop on the way to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and I would suggest fueling up here as it will be your last chance for fuel before UCLUELET or TOFINO.
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Port Alberni is well known for it's fishing and is located on the head of the Alberni inlet a long fjord that reaches to the Pacific Ocean. For more information about Port Aiberni and the surrounding Alberni Valley visit www.portalberni.ca
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Once you leave Port Alberni your well on your way to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve via the Pacific Rim Highway no.4 a winding two lane highway with great views, rivers and lakes along the way, great for motorcycling.
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A favorite spot to stop along the Pacific Rim Highway is the Kennedy Lake River with it's mountain views and rocky waterfalls. There are in fact many places to stop and access the river along the way some more obvious than others. So be safe and use common sense when parking on the shoulder lots of big rigs and RV's mid summer.
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After Kennedy River you eventually reach the summit of the Pacific Rim Highway and are rewarded with great views of Kennedy Lake and the surrounding mountains. several stops along the lake will afford you the opportunity to stop and take photos or picnic.
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Eventually you will come to a T intersection, heading left will take you to UCLUELET turning right will take you into the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and north to TOFINO.
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Before this though take the time to stop at the Parks Canada information center on the right hand side. Here you will find free maps and can also purchase the day passes which are good for parking anywhere in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
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Now roll up your pants kick off your shoes and get ready for miles and miles of sandy beaches and surf and start exploring one of Canada's great national parks the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada.
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Long Beach Vancouver Island BC Canada
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Sun Surf and Sand, miles and miles of beach, forest and trails to explore. Long Beach Pacific Rim National Park Canada.
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada is composed of three geographically separate units: The Long Beach Unit, The Broken Group Islands Unit and The West Coast Trail Unit. The Long Beach Unit being the most popular and well known. Long Beach can be reach from the Capital of Victoria on southern Vancouver Island in around a 4 to 5 hour drive.
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