Cycling Tours

Know What Type of Trip to Expect

If you’re not an avid cyclist, you may not be familiar with the different terms used to describe trail experiences. Here's a quick overview of different routes you’ll encounter in this guide to help you decide which experience is best for you:

• Road Cycling - Usually refers to riding a lightweight bike on paved roads with a focus on speed, distance, or fitness.
• Road Touring - All about exploring at a steady pace rather than racing by following quiet, low-traffic paved roads that connect communities, attractions, and scenic viewpoints.
• Gravel Touring - Similar to road touring, but on unpaved routes like rail trails or forest service roads where traffic is minimal and scenery is the highlight.

Road Touring Routes

Road touring rides are best enjoyed on bikes with smooth tires and multiple gears for handling paved streets and hills. Since these routes follow roads as well as paved trails, it’s important to follow road rules, ride with blinkers, and stay visible to drivers.

Parksville to Qualicum Beach Links

Follow this low-traffic route connecting Parksville and Qualicum Beach. The route follows a suburban road network with just one hill, includes an accessible pedestrian–cyclist bridge over French Creek, and has two smooth stretches of paved trail in Qualicum Beach.

• Trailheads: Pick up the trail on Jensen Ave near Parksville Community & Conference Centre in Parksville or in Qualicum Beach at Berwick Road.
• Distance: 13.5 km
• Time: 1 hour and 15-minutes
• Map: Parksville-Qualicum Beach Links

Qualicum Beach Cycle Loops

Qualicum Beach has four loops ranging from relaxed rides to more challenging climbs:

• Cycle Loop C1 – 9.5 km – A mix of multi-use trails and back roads through Eaglecrest, with moderate grades.
• Cycle Loop C2 – 9.5 km – A treed urban corridor south on Memorial Ave, with connections past the airport and through Chartwell. Includes paved shoulders and some separated trails.
• Cycle Loop C3 – 7.2 km – A leisurely mix of off-road trails and quiet streets, with some road shoulders and moderate grades.
• Cycle Loop C4 – 7.6 km –A waterfront ride past parks and beaches, with scenic views, some traffic, and very steep grades.

Qualicum Beach to Coombs

A varied route combining separated bike paths, wide paved shoulders, and an abandoned road, leading from the Qualicum Beach boardwalk to Coombs and the Coombs Old Country Market.

• Trailheads: Laburnum hill past the boardwalk (about 1 km past the Shady Rest restaurant) or via Memorial Ave to skip the hill.
• Distance: 12 km
• Time: Less than an hour
• Map: Qualicum Beach to Coombs

Gravel Touring Routes

Gravel touring requires a sturdier bike with wider tires to comfortably handle packed dirt, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces. Road bikes aren’t recommended for these trails.

Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail

Cycle along this 3-metre wide gravel path connecting Parksville and Coombs. This accessible trail is great for casual riders and families, with options to extend your ride by exploring the nearby Parksville Wetlands trails.

• Trailheads: Start your trip at Springwood Park in Parksville or the Station Road trailhead in Coombs.
• Distance: 7 km
• Time: 30 minutes to an hour
• Map: Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail

Big Qualicum River Regional Trail

Ride along a gravel hatchery service road that follows the river under a lush tree canopy. Stop at the Fisheries and Oceans Canada hatchery and watch for spawning salmon in the fall. Note: The trail ends before Horne Lake Caves Road, which is an active logging road not suitable for cycling.

• Trailheads: Big Qualicum River Salmon Hatchery off Horne Lake Road (between Highways 19 & 19A).
• Distance: 10 km
• Map: Big Qualicum River Regional Trail

T-Rex Circuit by Bark Echo eBikes

Bike through several of the areas popular attractions with this fun trail mapped by Bark Echo eBikes featuring rides through Top Bridge Regional Park, Rathtrevor Beach and Campground, Parksville Beach and the boardwalk, Coombs Old Country Market by way of the rail trail, and Englishman River Falls.

• Trailheads: This circuit can be started at any point in the map and ridden clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Distance: 44 km
• Map: T-Rex Circuit

Rathtrevor Bay to Parksville Bay

Follow trails that weave between the towering trees at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, then follow the boardwalk along Parksville Community Beach with the ocean at your side.

• Trailheads: Beginning on Resort Drive heading towards Parksville, turn right at Rathtrevor Campground.
• Distance: 9.6 km
• Map: Rathtrevor Bay to Parksville Bay

Trail Tips for a Safe Ride

• Stay safe & prepared: Always wear a helmet, carry water to stay hydrated, and bring sunglasses for sunny days.
• Keep right: Stay to the right except when passing.
• Share the trail: Cyclists yield to walkers and runners, while all trail users give space to horses.
• Give a signal: Use a bell, call out, or use blinkers when on roads.
• Take care at crossings: Slow down at crossings and yield to traffic unless signs indicate right of way.

Frequently Asked Questions