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For those who enjoy the natural beauty of the islands there are local Eco-guides available or you could enjoy the venture on your own to hike the many trails marked out in Naikoon Park or other areas located near the village. Spend an afternoon beachcombing and clam digging on McIntyre Bay Beach or North Beach, or take a quiet stroll through the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary.
1. NORTH BEACH - About 10 km along the beach to Rose Spit. See Fern Henderson’s book for times. Allow for a long day if you want to make it all the way out and back. Another option is to ride mountain bikes (ten speeds won’t work) part way and walk to the spit. Ride your bike approximately one half to two thirds of the way to the spit, and look for a road heading behind the tree line. There is a sign but it doesn’t stand out. Ride along the road as far as you can, and leave (or hide) your bike off the road. It is about an hour to walk to the start of the spit. If using a vehicle (4x4 only) please stay on the posted route. The dunes are a fragile ecosystem. Tide chart recommended.
2. CAPE FIFE TRAIL - From the Hiellen Bridge, follow the path - there is a sign at the start of the trail. The trail takes approximately three and one - half-hours each way (10 km each way). It follows an old settler’s path through the forest that changes from spruce to hemlock to cedar. Take water with you, there is none along the way and it can be very cold and windy at Cape Fife. There is a small three-sided shelter at Cape Fife, but the last report was that it was in a very rustic condition. A tide chart is also recommended.
3. EAST COAST TRAIL - For the hardiest of hikers. Allow 4 - 6 days and carry water. They are not kidding when they say there is no water. Many people cut across Cape Fife to cut some time off. Stop at the Naikoon Park Headquarters for more information.
4. PESUTA SHIPWRECK - Start at the Tlell river bridge and follow the trail along the bluff or, at low tide, along the river. Allow for two to three hours each way.
5. SETTLERS ROAD AND NORTH ROAD - Start at Miller Creek or Lawn Hill to settlers road. To go on north road see Fern Henderson’s book for a map. If you want to go to the Pontoons allow for a full day and wet conditions. The trail gets very vague and is not well marked after you leave the bush. It is recommended you take some flagging tape and pick it off on your return trip.
6. SLEEPING BEAUTY - See Fern’s book for directions. Trail is pretty steep but pays off with great views. Too tough for younger kids. Take water with you, there is a creek at the start of the trail but no water after that. There is a small lake at the top but drinking the water is NOT recommended.
7. MOUNT SLATECHUCK - This trail has recently been re-opened. Drive towards the Sleeping Beauty trail and go to the last turn-off. Turn left (the road is not marked and turning right takes you to Sleeping Beauty) then drive as far as you can, you will get stopped by a slide. Walk for about a half-hour to an hour (and around the switchback) and you will see a sign marking the trail. It is fairly steep at first but levels off in places.
8. YAKOUN LAKE - Drive towards Rennell Sound (checking in at Weyerhaeuser office for logging traffic) and cross the Yakoun River Bridge. Turn at the second spur road on your left (marked by a sign). Keep on the bottom road and follow the flagging tape to the beach on the lake. Takes about half an hour.
9. RENNELL SOUND Riley Creek - Drive to the 6-km marker on the road past the campground at the bottom of the hill. A sign marks the start of the trail and the rest of the trail is well marked. Takes about an hour each way. Gregory Beach - Trail is marked by a sign and starts just before the Gregory Creek Bridge. Takes 5-10 minutes to walk. Bonanza Beach - Cross the Bonanza Creek Bridge and turn left. Turn left again at the sign and park. Trail is well marked and takes about 10 minutes to walk.
10. CUMSHEWA HEAD TRAIL - Go to Gray Bay campsite and turn left. Drive as far as you can and head for the beach. The trail is marked and takes 2 - 3 days to hike the full trail one way. Day hikes are also a possibility. The first beach (Sandy Cove) is about five hours return trip.
11. ONWARD POINT TRAIL - Just a ten-minute drive after landing at Alliford Bay dock. Large parking lot, picnic tables and dry toilet. Before entering the trail choose left for moderate to difficult or right moderate to easy. Both paths circle around and meet at the Gazebo, which is an excellent area to watch for whales. In the spring season hiking time is approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
12. LOUISE DOVER MEMORIAL TRAIL - Park on the Sandspit side of the Haans Creek Bridge. Walk back across the bridge and enter the trail approximately 40 meters to the west, where there is a sign. Roughly taking three hours the walk is well marked. Enjoy the atmosphere during this walk and observe the various culturally modified trees, old and second growth forest. Pink, Chum, and Coho Salmon are in the Haans Creek in the fall and Steelhead Trout in the spring. This is a difficult trail so please refer to the Visitor Information Center handout on Dover Trail for more details.
13. SECRET COVE TRAIL - Beginning just before the first campsite at Gray Bay it is easy to spot the posted trail sign through old growth forest. The trail is 1 km long and is marked from easy to moderate. A dry toilet is stationed at the trailhead.
14. SPIRIT LAKE TRAIL - a magnificent Wasco carving in yellow cedar guards the entrance to the Spirit Lake trail across from the George Brown Recreation Hall on the highway. Immediately, the five foot wide gravel path winds through a stand of alders and ferns, then heads up a short incline. It takes an hour and a half to make the 3 km circuit, with picnic tables by the lake. Look for culturally modified trees and rich terrain forest growth. There is no danger of losing the trail - all paths eventually lead back to the parking lot at the beginning. It’s a wonderful pathway into the forest right from the road.
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