SOUTH PENDER’S BEST

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Beaumont Marine Park Trail (PIPRC/GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: July 2026 • Out & Back • MODERATELY STRENUOUS • Cliffside Trail/Ainslie Point Road Trailhead • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates (Ainslie Point Road): 48.76161, -123.25289 • 4.6 km (approx. 2.9 mi) • 1.5 hrs • Highest Elevation: 109 m/358 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Parking along cut-de-sac at the end of Ainslie Point Road • Amenities: Pit toilets (compost toilet closed as of May 13/26), resting benches, ocean beach, Parks Canada information sign and bike rack at Mt. Norman/Beaumont Marine Park access off Ainslie Point Road (Trailhead Coordinates: 48.76360, -123.25266) • NO camping or fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 80 species since 1989 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Trail building handiwork, driftwood-laden beaches, good landing spot for paddlers • Best time of year: Anytime • My nostalgic favourite hike in the SGI.

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Brooks Point Regional Park (CRD) • Last hiked by RP: September 2026 • Out & Around • EASY • Trailhead Coordinates (Gowlland Point Road): 48.73743, -123.18727 • MAP • 3.5 km (approx. 2.2 mi) • 1.5 hrs minimum • Highest Elevation: 43 m/141 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Trailhead and parking on the south side of Gowlland Pt Rd, just before Kloshe Rd • Amenities: Trailhead information sign/map, bike rack, bathroom • Birders: 155 species since 1998 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Beaches, view of neighbouring islands, possible whale and seal sightings, seasonal fruit apple and berry picking; popular spot for unleashed dogs, so be prepared • Best time of year: Any time, but better when the sky is clear to see Mount Baker.

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Enchanted Forest Park Trail (PIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: September 2026 • Loop with Out & Back extension • EASY • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.74750, -123.22123 • 1.5 km (approx. .9 mi) • 30 mins • Highest Elevation: 77 m/253 ft (Gain: 56 m/183 ft) • Park along north side of Spalding Rd • Amenities: Bike rack, benches, boardwalks • Highlights/Notes: Long wooden boardwalk through wetlands, seasonal waterfall, rock staircase to view of Bedwell Harbour and Beaumont Marine Park • Best time of year: During the rainy season, late fall through early spring, when the waterfall is active and the forest floor is wet (the moss, fern, and the other rainforest plant species glisten with life under a canopy of Western redcedars​).

Update. Until recently, another highlight was the Enchanted Forest’s Faerie Doors tucked up against trees along the trail’s edge. In the past, I’d seen as many as two dozen. During my most recent visit, I counted just a handful. What gives? Thieves? Parks Commission/CRD regulations? The school-kid creators retrieving their artwork? I miss the colourful tiny wooden doors.

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Greenburn Lake Trail (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: September 2026 • Loop with two Out & Back components • MODERATE • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.745000, -123.220583 • 4.4 km (approx. 2.7 mi) • 90 mins • Highest Elevation: 124 m/407 ft (Gain: 59 m/194 ft) • Parking in front of the Church of the Good Shephard Anglican Church, near the Poets Cove Resort & Spa • Amenities: None • Birders: 110 species since 2004 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: In-season wildflowers, expansive bluff lookout • Best time of year: Anytime, but preferably in dry weather.

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Mount Norman Summit Trail/Ainslie Point Trailhead (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: July 2026 • Up & Back • STRENUOUS • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.76360, -123.25266 • 2.7 km (approx 1.7 mi) • 45-60 mins • Highest Elevation: 185 m/607 ft (Gain: 136 m/446 ft) • Parking lot and along Ainslie Point Road • Amenities: Trailhead information signs/maps, bike rack, pit toilet, high-peak scenic viewing platform with resting benches and interpretive signs • No fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 89 species since 2007 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Grand high-peak panoramic view of Bedwell Harbour, North Pender, and parts of the SGI, Vancouver Island, and the US San Juan Islands; side-by-side hiking; greater wildflower assortment than along the Summit Trail/Canal Road route​ • Best time of year: Anytime.

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Mount Norman Summit Trail/Canal Road Trailhead (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: July 2026 • Up & Back • STRENUOUS • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.75786, -123.22863 • 3.1 km (approx. 1.9 mi) • 60 mins • Highest Elevation: 185 m/607 ft (Gain: 134 m/440 ft) • Parking lot • Amenities: Trailhead information signs/maps, bike rack, pit toilet, high-peak scenic viewing platform with resting benches and interpretive signs • No fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 89 species since 2007 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Narrower (single-track) and more interesting than Ainslie Point route, but the footing is more challenging in places; grand high-peak panoramic view of Bedwell Harbour, North Pender, and parts of the SGI, Vancouver Island, and the US San Juan Islands • Best time of year: Anytime.