TerraCentric Adventures.com. Mount Daniel Hiking Trail , Pender Harbour, Sunshine Coast, Accommodation Guide. British Columbia, Canada Accommodations. Mount Daniel Hiking Trail is situated between Garden Bay Lake on the northwest side and the ocean waters of Oyster Bay on the southeast side. The mountain is a popular scenic hike located on the lower half of the Sunshine Coast near the community of Pender Harbour, BC. The mainly forested Mount Daniel Hiking Trail is a difficult trek uphill. Although hiking in the forest, often in the shade has its perks on a hot day. The reward is well worth the effort. The views from the top of the mountain include islets, channels and lakes like Garden Bay, Mixal and Katherine Lakes.
Then there are "moon rings". Mount Daniel Hiking Trail is an uphill climb covering 3-4 km (1.8 - 2.5 mi.) each way. To begin the Mount Daniel Hiking Trail, start walking up the dirt road of Garden Bay Road until the first junction. Like many aspects of British Columbia, there is a First Nation's history associated with Mt. Francis Point Park. Mermaid Cove, Sunshine Coast, Accommodation Guide. British Columbia, Canada Accommodations. Mermaid Cove is a scuba divers, snorkling and swimming destination located on the top portion of the Sunshine Coast nearest the village Saltery Bay. The cove is connected to the beautiful Saltery Bay Provincial Park by a 1 km (0.6 mi.) foot path. The Mermaid Cove Trail, is one entrance to the cove, which begins just off the entrance of the local campground near the bridge crossing over Park Creek and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
An easy grade trek covering about 1 km (0.6 mi.) through old growth forests with some peak-a-boo ocean views. Mermaid Cove is a very poplar destination for scuba divers because of the 10 ft. bronze mermaid sculpture designed by Simon Morris that was sunk off its shores at a depth of 20 m (50 feet). There are cold showers located on the beach at Mermaid Cove and pit toilets The Emerald Princess statue and wheelchair access ramp were placed in Mermaid Cove through efforts of local scuba enthusiasts. Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada travel, adventures, explore. Hiking and Trails. Mount Daniel Hike. Facebook fans voted this "Most Romantic" trail on the lower Sunshine Coast The views from Mount Daniel are to die for and well worth the climb. This small mountain is approx. 440 metres (1443 feet) high and takes about 40 minutes to an hour to climb depending on your fitness level (obviously).
The distance covered is approx. 3 km each way. Mount Daniel is also a very special place according to local First Nations' history. There are two legends regarding this mountain. The second is that it was used by the local First Nations' young women to celebrate their "rite of passage" at puberty. My dog Nick surveying the kingdom of Pender Harbour.
Here's how to get here: Take Hwy. 101 to Garden Bay Road and turn onto it (you can only turn one way).Follow Garden Bay Road approximately 3.5 kms, just left past the Oyster Bay Road. The image below is interactive. Here's the same map, viewed using Mapsource. This hike doesn't require much direction as there is only the one trail and it is well marked. Francis Point Hiking Route. Francis Point is a beautiful Provincial park with beautiful trails along the beach. This is not a long hike (about .5 to 1 hour total max.), but it is one of the most beautiful. Bikes are not forbidden, but it is pretty much impossible to bike as it is up and down solid rock. Take care on a wet day as the rocks are often smooth and quite slippery. Take Hwy. 101 towards Madeira Park and turn left on Francis Peninsula Rd. The right trail takes you up some stairs to a viewpoint at the top. The longer hike is the left trail (maybe 30-40 mins. return).
There are some fantastic views out towards Vancouver Island. You can putter about and explore the rocky outcroppings and on a nice day, what better place to have a picnic. Eagles are often spotted in the trees along the trail. Click here to return from Francis Point to the Sunshine Coast Trails Home Page. Gambier Lake Route. Gambier Lake has several different trails to choose from, however this hike is one of the easiest and most popular. This doesn't mean that it's an easy hike. It's not. According to my gps it was 10.4 kms (6.5 miles) each way and it starts at sea level in New Brighton and peaks at over 520 meters (1700 feet).
It ended up taking us about six hours total. The Gambier Island Conservancy website says this hike takes between 1.5 to 2.5 hours one way. Just a note about dogs - you can take them on the ferry for no extra charge as long as they are on leash and under your control at all times. Time for lunch with the dogs. You need to get to Gambier Island before you can start the hike and the easiest way to do this is to catch the little ferry that leaves from Langdale ferry terminal.
Make sure to take water and food with you. Access to the starting point is straight forward: Go to the Langdale ferry terminal and park. The image below is interactive.