There are a number of trail systems around the Resort.  By far the longest is the Sunshine Coast Trail which is 180km long and winds its way through the Coast Mountains from Sarah Point to Saltery Bay. The section of the Sunshine Coast Trail closest to the Resort on the Malaspina Peninsula offers a diverse range of terrain and stunning panoramic views of Desolation Sound, Georgia Strait, Okeover Inlet and Vancouver Island. Using active and decommissioned logging roads it is possible to access sections of the trail for unique day hikes. Specific routes taken should be selected based on weather conditions, orienteering skills and fitness levels.  We have Sunshine Coast Trail guide books which we can use to help you select a route for the day.  Our Hiking Picture Gallery provides more pictures of some of the things you can expect to see along the trails.

As an example, one section of the Sunshine Coast Trail close to us is the Marathon/Appleton Canyon Trail which is just under 9km in length. The hike starts from the Theodosia Forest Service Road where a mossy trail winds uphill paralleling the Upper Toquenatch Creek though a second growth stand of 80-year-old fir and cedars. Crossing the creek on a footbridge the scenery changes as the grade levels, the trees become smaller and there is a preponderance of ground cover. Century old slash and burn forest practices have made it more difficult for the forest to regenerate in this area, it does however make an excellent area to munch on huckleberries, sala berries, blackberries etc. when they are in season. As the soil gets better the trees grow taller and a series of switchbacks lead onto a ridge which is the site of an old clear-cut. The area provides an excellent opportunity to see what types of plants re-establish themselves in these open mountain meadows. From here the trail heads back into mature forest to arrive at Gibraltar Bluff which provides a stunning panoramic view of Georgia Strait, Okeover Inlet and Vancouver Island. The trail continues along a bluff known as Gentle David eventually ending up at Rieveley’s Pond where a rustic swimming platform juts out into this warm water pond. Dragonflies, frogs and birds abound around this natural watering hole. Another 30 minutes of hiking through mature forest leads to Appleton Creek where a bridge leads to a small floodplain that is the home of a handful of huge douglas firs. Standing over 150ft tall these trees are awe-inspiring. From hear the trail meanders down the canyon next to the creek past Gorge Falls and Slyph Falls where the brave can enjoy a "skull numbing" shower in the mountain runoff, swim in the pools or just cool down your feet.