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	The magazine of outdoor recreation and adventure on Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia

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The community
of Tahsis with
the backdrop of
Rugged Mountain.

Features on the pop-up map correspond to items detailed in the Essential Vancouver Island Outdoor Recreation Guide.

Nootka Sound:

Nootka is a word intrinsically linked to the history and geography of Vancouver Island . It was here in 1788 that Capt. James Cook established trade with Chief Maquinna, leading to the otter fur trade that transformed the Pacific coast. It was the location of the only Spanish fort ever built in Canada , in 1789, and the site of a conflict that almost led to war between England and Spain . Modern history has been checkered. Long reliant on logging, the communities of Zeballos, Tahsis and Gold River have all faced mill closures in recent years, which have hurt the vibrancy of the region. Most services are still available, however, and the area's natural appeal is as strong as ever.

- Excerpt from The Essential Vancouver Island Outdoor Recreation Guide, by John Kimantas, Whitecap, 2008

Recommended services:

Watch this space as our site grows.

Recommended places to explore:

Sightseeing: The drive from Gold River to Tahsis is a wonderful trip along a wide forest service road with numerous viewpoints along the way - waterfalls, mountains, valleys, wildlife - it has it all.

Hiking: The Nootka Island Trail is an heir apparent to the West Coast Trail as the premier coastal hike on Vancouver Island.

Kayaking/canoeing: Wonderful places abound in Nootka Sound, but the biggest thumb up has to go to Nuchatlitz Inlet on Nootka Island for its wild scenery, good camping locations and untrammeled geography.

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