Sugarloaf Mountain

A short climb with a view.

• When – any time of year.
• Where – mid-island (Nanaimo).
• Why – view point.
• How – walking.
• Difficulty – easy (not good for strollers or walkers due to stairs, great for dogs on leash).
• Cost – walking is free.

Location / Directions 49.209522 – 123.971036

(Note: There are many ways to access the area, in this example I will give not the most direct route, rather the most easily accessible route from multiple directions.)

From Nanaimo pkwy (hwy-19) turn onto Northfield road. Continue 2.4km until you reach Island Hwy and turn right. Continue 450m, then turn left onto Departure Bay road, following for 2.16 km. Turn right onto Little John way for 70m, left onto Sherwood drive for 60m, then right again on Marion Way for 240m, where you will reach the end of the street and the start of the trail. Parking is available on the right side of the road.

The trail / Climb

Sugarloaf mountain is an easily accessible, short little climb, overlooking Departure Bay, with views of the downtown harbour and the Georga Sraight – for these reasons, it’s a Nanaimo favourite. From the street side parking you’ll head up the cement stairs that wrap up the North side. (NOTE: If you end up on someone’s back deck you’ve gone too far). After that there will be a set of wooden stairs, and another short set of cement stairs that leads into a path. I say “path” as a guide – once you’re off the second set of cement stairs you can continue in any direction to the top of the hill to take in the view. If you head up at sunrise or sunset, weather permitting, then the view may be that much more fantastic, as you can see the BC ferries and other small boats pass by.