Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park — Attraction in Nanaimo

First time walking this trail, we basically did the loop around Cottle Lake. We lucked out with a gorgeous sunny day, and we accessed it from Rock Star Road trail head. I can imagine that part of the trail would be more treacherous and slippery if it was raining, or after a large rainfall. They are building some metal bridges and boardwalks along one side of the lake, but in between there are rocky portions. Lots of roots, you need to watch your footing for sure. If you want to, take pictures or enjoy the view of the lake, make sure you’re standing still, because when you’re walking, you need to pay attention to the trail. But it was in great shape, and well maintained. Hoping to go back to try some of the smaller trails that branch off. We were with the Walking group that are mostly 65+, and the majority of them had no issue in accessing the trail. Please note there is a steep set of stairs from the trailhead that we started at, they are very sturdy, but there is approximately 50 steps so it’s a bit of a challenge to climb back up again. There is approximately 4 to 5 parking spaces near the signat the beginning of the trailhead and about 4 to 5 parking spots almost directly...

Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park is one of Nanaimo's hidden treasures. It is lovely and expansive, with many long walking trails and some lovely vistas of the park itself. There are large wooden staircases and adorable stone bridges. There is abundant wildlife as well. I've seen what I believe were sizable partridges and wild turkeys (see photos... I love doing my photography at this park). In a matter of minutes you can walk from a somewhat busy residential road to the absolute solitude of this wonderful park. The first time I visited this park, I had to remind myself I was basically in the middle of a very large and populated residential area. It also reminded me a bit of the Experimental Farm back in Ottawa, Ontario, in that you can quickly get in touch with nature without having to travel for hours. It is a popular place for hikers and joggers and is...

🌿 A Wild and Wonderful Urban Escape 🌿 Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park is a true hidden gem tucked right into Nanaimo. The newly maintained pathways around the lake are beautiful and make for a lovely short loop. While it’s not fully accessible due to stairs, uneven terrain, and rooted areas, it’s absolutely worth the effort if you’re able to explore it.

The trails are well-shaded, the grass is taller than me in spots, and the variety of flora and wildlife is incredible. One of my favourite moments was spotting a sign for the rough-skinned newt crossing, hands down the cutest sign I’ve ever seen!

This magical little pocket of nature will be featured in my upcoming 6th Little Adventurers book exploring South Nanaimo. Add it to your list if you’re looking for something wild, beautiful, and full of...