Old Growth and Living Forest Trail Loop, Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park
Markus posing in front of a large Douglas Fir at the Cathedral Grove in British Columbia
Parking
Before I breakdown the park, I felt the need to emphasize this point: The parking here was really bad. The park is just off of the highway and as you're approaching the park, you'll know that you're getting near because of all the blinking signs telling you to slow down considerably. It is around this point that people start to pull over along the highway to find parking. Since we were actively looking for the park and knew it was coming up, the drop in the speed limit was a signal to us that the park was close.
That said, there are plenty of cars passing by that weren't aware that there are tourists parking along the highway and even running across the (single lane on either side) highway since the park has two sides. They'll slow down, but not quite enough so it's still pretty fast for pedestrians who are standing only a few feet off to the side. Other cars would slow down looking for the entrance and the trucks or cars behind them would have to brake hard since they're not prepared for it. The amount of vehicles honking was incessant, but also understandable and necessary.
There is a parking lot and if you're lucky enough to come when there's availability, then definitely go for it. We didn't have that luxury since we came at a busy time, so we needed to park along the highway. Needless to say, I had to exit the car with extreme caution since cars are whizzing by. Just do it all with caution and you'll be alright.
About Cathedral Grove
Markus standing on top of a fallen tree in Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, British Columbia
During our stay at Qualicum Beach, we took some time out of exploring the town to drive around with Markus and discover what nature has to offer on Vancouver Island. One of the stops we knew we wanted to make was at the Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, which was only a few minutes away from where we were staying. We went on a Saturday afternoon and it was very busy. As it turns out, the Cathedral Grove is a hot tourist destination and for good reason. The park is a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest's stunning beauty and history condensed into a walkable park in less than an hour, so many people go out of their way to come here and experience it.
About the Old Growth and Living Forest Trail Loop
Type: Park
Length: 1.6 km
Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Route Type: Loop (2 separate short loops)
There are also two sides to the park (south side and north side) with a highway cutting through the middle. Be very careful crossing the street to the other side and don't assume that cars will stop for you, even if you're at the crosswalk! Even with all the blinking signs to slow down, drivers aren't expecting people to be slowly walking across the highway.
When we do our Pacific Northwest explorations, we tend to do hikes or trails that work towards something like a viewpoint or a waterfall at the end. Cathedral Grove was unique to us because the walk is an appreciation for things that we often so easily overlook living in the Pacific Northwest - trees. The emphasis on the history and magnitude of the trees here are well-deserved as the south side of Cathedral Grove boasts some of the largest Douglas firs (one measuring up to 9 metres in circumference). Standing under them made us feel so small! The north side has very old groves of red cedar trees as well. For fallen trees, to be able to examine the intricacies of a tree's roots is something that I never imagined myself being able to appreciate.
Markus smiling at the Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park in British Columbia
The paths around the park are fairly straightforward and they're well-maintained. They're wide and there are maps along the way to keep you oriented. Both parks are also loops, so as long as you keep following the path (and the other people), you'll end up at the entrance again. Be prepared for all the people stopping and posing for pictures with specific trees and areas of the park as well. Once you’re done on one side, you can cross the street to the other side to do the loop there as well.
What we liked
Cathedral Grove teaches you to appreciate the beauty of trees that we're so used to overlooking in the Pacific Northwest.
There are two sides to the park, each with very distinct feels.
The path was very well-maintained on both sides.
While it was busy with visitors, it wasn't overwhelming since the park is large enough to accommodate large numbers.
There weren't many (if any) other dogs while we were there.
What we didn't like
The provided parking lots are limited and most of the visitors end up parking along the highway, which can be dangerous for obvious reasons.
While it's neat that the park exists in two parts (one on either side of the highway), it does mean that visitors need to cross the highway, which again is dangerous for obvious reasons.
Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs
Since we had gone on a weekend, the park was fairly busy, but mostly with people so it wasn't overwhelming. If you have a reactive dog, it's not a bad place to bring them. It is fairly quiet and we didn't have any issues with other dogs (we only saw a handful) because the demographic of visitors here appear to be more like tourists passing by who are less likely to have dogs with them. The park is less of a trail and more of a landmark in that sense. Just be sure to be mindful of where areas are fenced off and even though dogs are allowed, remember to respect the historical nature of the park and clean up after you dog!
Disclaimer
Markus is a reactive, but not aggressive dog. His instinct is to avoid other dogs and he may growl, bark or lunge if provoked, but will not attack. We normally do not have issues with leashed dogs when both sides are controlled, but we will be on guard when an oncoming dog is not leashed. There are varying levels to a dog’s reactivity and only you can decide if this park, trail or hotel is appropriate for your dog. Our visits generally will not include off-leash areas; most experiences shared on The Markus Project are within leashed or undefined areas.
Please remember that our past experience visiting a park, trail or hotel may not be the same as your experience at the same park, trail or hotel. We have no control of who visits the park and whether they adhere to park rules - like leashing their dogs on leash-required paths - or not. Please use your discretion with the information provided and with your personal knowledge of your dog’s reactivity when visiting these parks, trails or hotels.
