Walk among giant trees in Cathedral Grove

In the heart of MacMillan Provincial Park, just a few kilometres east of Port Alberni, you’ll find a forest whose sheer scale is hard to grasp. Cathedral Grove is known for its gigantic Douglas firs – some more than 800 years old, up to 76 metres tall and with a trunk circumference of more than 9 metres. It’s a place where you suddenly feel very small.

A short circular trail leads you right into this natural wonder. You walk on soft forest floor, under moss-draped branches, past fallen giants and living monuments. The path is well maintained and can be walked in just a few minutes – an experience that doesn’t require a long hike, but will stay with you for a long time.

The car park is directly on Highway 4, but it is small and often fills up quickly in the high season. It’s best to plan your visit for early in the morning or later in the afternoon – then you might just have the giant trees almost to yourself.