The Sunshine Coast Trail

Pack lightly and bring a GPS unit to fully explore this offbeat trail. Move over West Coast Trail, the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT) has way more to offer to hikers. For starters, it’s twice as long (188 km, compared to 77 km) so you won’t be jockeying for trail space. And unlike Vancouver Island’s West Coast Trail (which was established in 1907 to help rescue shipwrecked sailors whose vessels sank off the coastline) you don’t have to apply and pay for a permit to hike it—you can go whenever and wherever you want. Powell River is the stepping-off point to the SCT. With the exception of downhill skiing, “Powell Riviera” (as it’s fondly called by residents) seems to have it all, and the town is drenched in history—from the Patricia Theatre that opened its doors in 1913 to the nearly 400 heritage buildings neighboring the paper mill.

THE TRAILS

On my first visit to Powell River, I took a four-hour outdoor photography course with resident Darren Robinson. We hiked the Appleton Creek Trail and shot one waterfall after another. When someone shows you how to look at something in a different light, from another angle, it's amazing what you can see. And I finally figured out how to shoot on the manual setting. Darren's classes are popular with teens and adults of all ages. "If you hike to Fairview Bay - which should have been named Oyster Bay - all you'll need is an oyster shucker and beverage of choice," said Eagle Walz, laughing. The shelters also have barbecue pits and (when I was there) firewood. Free! And if you go during mushroom season, chanterelles abound!

The Trinket Trail

One of the most popular family activities is hiking the Trinket Trail, essentially a free outdoor treasure hunt for kids of all ages. It’s mined with small toys left by residents and visitors alike, and has quickly become a popular geocaching hunt. All you need is a GPS unit and go to geocaching.com, and look up different sites by region, area or city. It will give you the coordinates and a clue, such as “look under a rock that has a painted circle.” “My family sees the Trinket Trail as one giant geo-cache where trinkets hang in trees and hide in woody stumps,” said resident Darren Robinson. “For my kids, it’s as exciting as Disneyland. My four-year-old daughter Sadie spotted Big Bird right away, then we came upon a treasure trove of trinkets—they’re everywhere.” About 2.5 km along the trinket trail you can’t miss Troll Alley; there are literally dozens of the funky hairy toys hanging from branches and wedged into trees and moss. The entire Trinket Trail is a 5.5 km round trip and begins just off Southview Road, all the way up to the Bunster Bluffs and back again. Give yourself three to four hours for this hike.

Where To Stay

If you’re camping on the SCT, don’t worry about critters sniffing around your tent—all you need is a sleeping bag and provisions. You can sleep in one of the eight open shelters or two cabins along the trail, free of charge. There are also several good campsites around Powell River, and Sunland-by-the-sea campgrounds in nearby Lund. Or rent a float cabin to experience off-the-grid life on Powell Lake. Desolation Sound Resortoffers a wilderness experience combined with luxury, 20 minutes north of Powell River. Spread over seven wooded acres, its spacious chalets have full kitchens and some have private hot tubs, sleeping six to eight people. It’s a great spot for first-time kayakers. Desolation Sound Resort: http: // www.desolationresort.com/ Sunland-by-the-Sea: http: //www. sunlund.ca/ Floating Cabins on Powell Lake: http: //www.floatcabins.com/

INFO

To learn more about the Sunshine Coast Trail, visit www.sunshinecoast-trail.com. Hikers are advised to check out the "trail conditions" link before setting out. Tourism Powell River (8778178669, 604-485-4701); www.discoverpowellriver.com Sunshine Coast Tourism (866941-3883); www.sunshinecoastcanada.com

IF YOU GO

If you time it right, lunch in Lund before hopping the water taxi to Savary Island. The boardwalk offers more than just fish and chips; go for the Blackberry Grunt, the signature dessert. Check out the kayak rentals shop behind the Lund Hotel where you can spend the day paddling over to Ragged Island and even snorkel - the water is that warm. Savary Island boasts the warmest swimming conditions north of Mexico. Get a fishing licence online or at the Lund Store - you'll soon be shucking oysters and digging for clams on Mermaid Beach while the kids build sandcastles among the historic sand dunes at Duck Bay. Walk along the enchanted forest trail through patches of old-growth forest . Or rent golf carts ($40 per hour) and tour the island. If you plan far enough ahead, book a room at the Savary Island Resort. Its six cabins are perfect for families, and are beautifully built from Douglas fir and red cedar milled from the property. Rooms for three start at $135 per night.