It was one of the highlights of our VF training. Now I have come across goats on a roof, but would love to see a few eagles on my hikes , Hi, Sam – That’s another reason for you to come out this way. I greatly appreciate it. . Building a community of Women Living Well and embracing life after 50, A blog about midlife, travel, adventure - and all things in between, psychological, life, death, the whole catastrophe, Tales, Thoughts + Tribulations of a Free Spirit in Suburbia, Writing Stories of Love, Faith and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey, Kate's views on life edited by four opinionated cats, If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space. It's 7 kilometres from Springwood Park in . Design work for 6km of rail trail, linking Parksville and Coombs, is planned to begin in the spring of 2014. xx. That’s a massive step count so far. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Then take the left onto Little Mountain Road and drive to the top parking lot. Starting from the beach near the main parking lot heading out the access road to the RDN trail to Top Bridge Park over the suspension bridge back down to the waterline trail along the railway tracks and out to Coombs. We often stop for an ice cream cone since many flavour options. Thank you for taking us along. (All true!) I hope that you enjoy these reflections, and will be willing to share your own. Take care and loving your 30 day challenge – Hilary, Hi Donna – I hope my comment got through … love those train trails, then Coombs and the goat tower … fun – beautiful views too … all the best – Hilary. . Amazing lookout just outside of Parksville, British Columbia. Difficulty: Very Easy. Wildlife (and goats on a roof) are worth any distance hiked! The trail only officially opened Dec 23, 2016. The Rail Trail is multi-use and NO ATVs, DIRT BIKES OR OTHER MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE PERMITTED. Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. , You are doing so well and it a challenge can become addictive can’t it, Donna? Thanks, Laurie – Your comments do truly make me smile. Day 5, you are killing it, and you captured an eagle with your lens!! Views from this trail are not as diverse or as stunning as others that we have hiked. My mind is saying, “Let’s go!” My body is saying, “First, one more coffee!” , Your photos are beautiful on this series, Donna. Such a wonderful place to take visitors. Qualicum to Parksville Trail is a 17.1 mile out and back trail located near Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. Coombs Village is located west of Parksville BC, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Great photos! This would like it is my kind of trail with minimal chance of getting lost. . The trail is primarily used for running, nature trips, and road biking. So much to be grateful for! This trail offers access to either Coombs or Parksville (depending on where you start). Walking Time: 3 h 9 m It’s a nice easy ride with almost no hills. Totally tacky, totally a blast. Go towards Coombs/Errington, L on Bellevue, 2nd road on the L is Little Mountain Rd. Be sure to get out to your local rail trail (and share those photos)! I have written these trails on this blog. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Hi, Natalie – The eagles in that area are quite confident. Approximately 7 km of 3 metre-wide tread surface trail finished with compacted high fines gravel. Coombs is just down the road (and has a great fruit and vegetable stand) so we get there quite frequently….but usually by car! And to be able to access GOTR etc., in Coombs?! Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. Trail planning and design may take up to a year, wrapping up in January 2015. Thanks for sharing it with us. It means a lot! Hi, Deb – Like you, I am extremely grateful for rail trails. The ride up Laburnum is one of the most serene but gruelling rides in the area. Fresh air, hawks, wildflowers, mountainous views, and coffee with a handsome man What is not to love about #5 of #30hikesin30days? A man with dyslexia writing about this and that and everything else! You never know what you're gonna get." Although we were too early for Italian Lunch at Cuckoos…our timing was just right for coffee and breakfast at Billy Gruff’s Bistro. As soon as you step off the Coombs trail, you are immediately surrounded by funky shops, places to eat/shop/browse…and even goats on a roof (seriously) Now, how can you beat that? Thanks, Sue – I greatly appreciate all of the work that you and Leanne do for #MLSTL. Cheers! Coombs is always fun. Thanks, Terri – I greatly appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Please do not hesitate to let me know if I can help answer any questions about any of these hikes. ( Log Out /  I passed by Goats on the Roof on my way from Parksville to Tofino. Coombs Country Campground CCC is a 34 acre RV park & campground located 5 mins from both Parksville & Qualicum Beach on the way to Tofino. Again, not the most scenic views, but easy walking and Coombs is a true blast! #30hikesin30days, Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Hi, Jo – I share your gratitude in the investment in accessible trails and rail trails. I’m always looking for new trails! Then returned to Parksville. Let’s both keep our fingers crossed for July! It is a 3 metre-wide tread surface trail finished with compacted gravel. One of my bucket list photos! Their cones are HUGE!! Parksville, British Columbia. There are numerous entry and exit points, as well as trail markers at each kilometre along the way. The eclectic village is a popular attraction in the region because of the unique assortment of art, clothing, gifts, services and shops. Hi, Patrick – Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Parksville attractions for fun family adventures on Vancouver Island, BC. This rustic unpaved trail, just over three miles in length, runs along a route formerly used by the New York, Ontario, & Western Railway's Main Line through Parksville in Sullivan County, NY. I’m loving the nature that you are surrounded by. I rode the 7km from Parksville out to Coombs. Were your ears burning earlier today? PQ Links Trail (Parksville - Qualicum links). Ride to Coombs using park & rail trails Starting from the main parking lot in Rathtrevor Park head up the paved access road. And what a terrific way of dealing with Covid-19. Thanks, Jill – I always appreciate your kind and encouraging comments. #MLSTL. The first sections of trail, totalling approximately 10km, will connect the City of Parksville with Coombs and with French Creek. A diary of my life in rural north Suffolk. Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Hi, Deb – The eagles out here are incredible. I agree that rail trails are absolutely brilliant. Hi, Janis – I like your thinking here. It is very motivating, and very much appreciated! Pretty cool! I need a nap just reading about it! Rail Trail East 3 (GC71T3E) was created by Livingstonelookers on 3/8/2017. Cassidy to Nanaimo. RDN 50th Anniversary & Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail Opening Celebration Join the Regional District of Nanaimo Saturday, October 14th at Springwood Park in Parksville to celebrate fifty years of providing services in this region and take part in the official opening of the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail. Cassidy. , I’m catching up to all of your daily posts today, Donna. I think that sometimes WP just likes to mess with us. Goat towers … love them and saw them in Portugal and South Africa – fun … totally bemusing, actually! . Parksville, BC is a sweet … Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I greatly appreciate you following along! envisioning & implementing life's next stage, "So we do not lose heart. 1 h 55 m. This trail is primarily used for mountain biking, however, hikers can hike or run this if they want. The Regional District’s Parks and Trails Coordinator Joan Michel says the 6.7-kilometre Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail opened in late December, after crews starting building the three-metre wide path last spring. View all posts by Rick Mc. It makes a wonderful difference to a community! Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I greatly appreciate it! View all posts by Retirement Reflections. You two are wonders, that’s what you are. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. What a fun trail. As this trail runs directly behind the Parksville-Qualicum SPCA, where Richard and I volunteer, we have been on it numerous times before (usually with a dog in-tow). I greatly appreciate it. . moderate (8) Length: 4.7 mi • Est. . #MLSTL, Hi, Leanne – Thank you for your encouragement and your kind words. Enjoy the beauty. I see at least 1 flying around every time I sit out on my balcony. The best & most popular mountain biking trails in Parksville. Isn’t it a cool place? Perfect! Keep on truckin’ ! Share Village Way Path. Take exit 51 off the highway. Trail map: Available at local bike shops and on Phil's Race Info and Maps Website: Arrowsmith Mountain Bike Club Points of interest: Englishman River Falls Provincial Park, beaches Other activities: Hiking Lodging: Parksville has several inns and other accommodations. ( Log Out /  104,956 steps taken. Happy hiking. Hi, Helen – I am delighted to meet a fellow hiker, and Camino Trail walker. Thanks, Anabel – We’ve also had our share of wet last month. From Parksville, it would run through the forest to Coombs and Port Alberni. Hi, Bernie – Coombs in a VERY COOL place. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thanks, Terri – Thank you for taking the time to give such meaningful feedback. To protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff, encourage physical distancing and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre is open to access the City’s finance department only. Thank you for continuing to follow along! The Village Way project was initiated in 2014 and aims to create a safe and accessible path on North Road between the junction of North and South Roads and access to the 707 Community Park at Tin Can Alley. I think I need a nap! Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways throughout the region. Distance Walked: 15 km I need a nap keeping up with reading your posts, Donna! Change ). Five hikes completed. Thanks, Antoinette – I greatly appreciate your kind words! 1/6th of the way there , Hi, Lisa – I love the way that you think. (For bottom trails stay straight on Bellevue until the end of the road. The photos are stunning. Except for the first 200 m of trail in Springwood which has an 8 % grade, the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail is fully accessible, that is, no more than a 5 … It is hoped that it will eventually link up with the Trinity Skyline Trail. However, it is highly likely that you will spot an eagle (or two, or three), as well as hawks and a variety of other birds.