Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park)
Cathedral Grove
A primeval temperate rainforest beside the highway, with 800-year-old Douglas firs reaching 75 metres; Vancouver Island's most popular grove of ancient trees.
Cathedral Grove lies within MacMillan Provincial Park, straddling Highway 4 on both sides. It preserves the most accessible old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar forest in eastern Vancouver Island. The largest Douglas fir has a circumference of about 9 metres, stands about 75 metres tall and is roughly 800 years old. The trail on the south side winds through the giant trees, while the north trail follows the river flowing from Cameron Lake; both are gentle boardwalks of 10 to 20 minutes one way. The park is free, but roadside parking is charged, and extra caution is needed on busy summer days. It is about 60 km from Nanaimo and is a must-stop on the way to Tofino, often combined with the Coombs market and Little Qualicum Falls.
Opening hours
All day (daytime recommended)
Nearby sights
- Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
- Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
- Coombs Old Country Market
- Milner Gardens & Woodland
- Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park (Parksville)
- Neck Point Park
- Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Provincial Park