Taking an epic Vancouver Island road trip is a bucket list item you must check off at least once, or many, times in your life. The beautiful drive from Victoria to Tofino includes riding on Highway 4 (Pacific Rim Highway), and is a couple hundred kilometres, but there are notable stops along the way to make it one of your most memorable road trips.
A national culinary treasure, a three-layer no-bake delicious dessert, the famous Nanaimo bar has its place in Canadian history, and it’s time to travel to the source of its namesake: Nanaimo, British Columbia. First, what is a Nanaimo bar? This dessert gained popularity post-WWII when sugar and butter became more readily available after rationing. The traditional recipe for a Nanaimo bar encompasses three layers of goodness – starting with the bottom layer of graham and coconut crust, a custard middle, and topped with chocolate for a sweet tooth sandwich that’s simply addictive. In Nanaimo, British Columbia, the Nanaimo Bar Trail is one you want to trek, as it includes Nanaimo Bar stops that vary from traditional to specialty. While we couldn’t visit every stop on the trail, a special stop at Hearthstone Artisan Bakery is a must. Hearthstone Artisan Bakery is only ten minutes from your stay at Best Western Dorchester Hotel, whose backdoor is literally, steps from the harbor, and whose front door opens up to charming shops in the heart of Nanaimo, British Columbia. But back to Nanaimo bars – Hearthstone Artisan Bakery’s Nanaimo bars have been featured on YTV and Food Network, and they not only carry the original Nanaimo Bars, but other rotating flavors as well. If you’re still hungry, be sure to pick up a do’sant (“cronut” in the States), a hybrid of a croissant meets a donut.
There’s no better place to stretch your legs than in a forest of giant 800-year-old trees – some of the oldest trees in Canada. Cathedral Grove – Macmillan Provincial Park has a short trail that will take your breath away. Underneath a canopy of 80 meters, you’ll feel as if you are walking in a storybook of an enchanted forest of Douglas Fir, Grand Firs, Western Hemlocks, and Western Red Cedar trees. Historically, the trees provided indigenous people with survivalist support, including the K’omoks, Tseshaht, and Te’mexw. In addition, Cathedral Grove is forever commemorated in the Star Wars film, “Return of the Jedi”, serving as the backdrop for Endor, the planet the Ewoks lived on. As you explore this enchanted grove, don’t forget to look at the forest floor to view the cycle of the ecosystem. There are plenty of nurse logs, getting its namesake from the ‘nursery’ it forms for younger plants, like mosses, ferns, and young hemlock trees. The largest tree in Cathedral Grove is Giant Douglas Fir – go see its magnitude for yourself.
At Coombs Country Candy, their motto is, “Everyday is an ice cream day”, and we couldn’t agree more. With over 50 years of chocolate and candy making experience, these confections are sweet treats worth stopping for. Try the hand-made specialty chocolates, like The Kenny Bar which includes graham crackers, caramel marshmallow, sea salt, and chocolate, or ice cream flavors that include, Sea Salt Caramel, Cookie Monster, and Oreo. Everything you eat is delicious, sweet, and worth every bite. When the original founder, Murray Lawlor, retired, the store was taken over by the non-profit, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, who reinvests part of the store’s earnings back into the community.
The name “Twin City” is rooted to when Port Alberni and Alberni were two separate, but similar cities. Upholding the history of The Alberni Valley, Twin City Brewing Company produces locally crafted ales and delectable eats that bring the community together. With creative pizzas like Rapscallion and Gnarly Garlies, you’ll never go hungry. Wash it down with a pint of Porter Alberni, to truly be a local. Twin City Brewing Company is located less than ten minutes walking distance from your Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel. The Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel has a cocktail lounge, Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill, so you can keep the excitement going, and Stamps Café if you need a hot meal during the day or evening. The spacious king suite is perfect for a traveling pair, and the sofa opens up into a comfortable bed as well. The hotel offers the largest meeting space in the area as well.
As you drive Highway 4, you can access Sproat Lake from a number of trailheads, including one at Taylor Arm Provincial Park. Sproat Lake is named after Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, a Scottish man who arrived on Vancouver Island in 1860. It is also known as Kleecoot or “wide open” by local indigenous people and is home to one of the best panels of prehistorical petroglyphs in the province, named K’ak’awin. Take in the views – as you approach the lake on your hike, slowly but surely, your view pans to the tall peaks of Klitsa Mountain. If you’re lucky enough, you will even see a waterfall on the other side of the Sproat Lake, and conditions pending, you can also swim and windsurf on the lake.
We’ve written extensively on things to do in Tofino, British Columbia in “Why Your Next Beach Vacation Has to be Tofino, British Columbia”, but your biggest must-do is to stay at the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort. Tin Wis literally means “calm waters” in the Tla-o-qui-aht language, and the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort is proudly owned by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Located off British Columbia’s Clayoquot Sound, outdoor lovers can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while learning about the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation culture. Open your patio doors and find yourself only steps from the sandy shoreline. Choose between surfing or stand up paddle boarding, right on-site near the state-of-the-art gym. Kids will enjoy swinging on the swings and going up and down the slide on the playground, and if you want to barbecue, there’s several grills to do so. If your family enjoys bonfires, don’t forget to go to the front desk to pick up logs and a s’mores kit.
From wildlife to city life, there’s plenty of room to roam in Canada. Find more Canadian travel inspiration at Travel Zone | Adventure Across Canada. Explore past the coastline to the turquoise waters of national parks and discover rich, urban centres when you stay with Best Western® Resorts & Hotels Canada.