Benson Creek Falls Regional Park — Attraction in Area C (Arrowsmith-Benson)

A wonderful dog walking and mountain biking park tucked away up Doumont Road behind Nanaimo's Brannen Lake. In the summer you'll want to bring some bug spray, but otherwise Benson Creek Falls Park has a criss-cross of easy-to-traverse trails for beginner to intermediate hikers of all ages. The park has various access trails off the left side of Doumont Road (if heading away from the Ocean), some of which have 3-5 car parking lots. It also provides another form of access to Ammonite Falls, although the trails from Doumont are not as easy to follow as using the Jameson...

About 45 min hike to get to the first waterfall, you take some steep goat path trail to get down to the creek bed and at the end you may want to use the rope there to get the rest of the way down. The better waterfall ammonite falls you may want to get there from the entrance in town around jinglepot Rd I think it's Jameson Rd that has a free parking lot there. Since coming from the Benson creek falls way seems to have to many slippery rocks to fall off from and you'll loose your balance and go straight down...

The trails are a bit confusing to navigate, but good for a family hike. Beware: There are numerous bike trails crisscrossing the hiking trails which are heaven for downhill mountain bikers. There are steep areas and hiking down these portions is not recommended in wet weather. Highlights: The adrenaline rush after not falling down the side of the ravine. The view from the bridge over the creek. Bring: A snack to eat while enjoying the rainforest or just in case you get a...