From Waterfalls to Underground Wonders

It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these. Most of my recent posts have leaned inward, but this past weekend was all about getting out and actually doing something.

We headed up to Parksville for a simple weekend getaway. The goal wasn’t anything big or ambitious, just a change of scenery and a chance to unwind a bit as a family.

The Stay

We arrived in Parksville Friday evening and headed over to our hotel, Hotel Feng (A Best Western Signature hotel). The hotel had a pool and hot tubs, which was honestly a great call. The pool got a lot of use, and the hot tub was perfect in the evenings, albeit a little busy as it was the last weekend of spring break.

Breakfast was listed as “continental,” but it was closer to a full buffet. Eggs, waffles, muffins, cereals, coffee, many different juices and everything was well stocked. Nothing over the top, but definitely better than expected and a great way to start the day.

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Hole in the Wall – Near Port Alberni

Saturday morning we wanted to return to Cathedral Grove, a nearby hiking trail that we love but it was closed for maintenance (felling trees). Instead, we continued on down the highway toward Port Alberni, out to Hole in the Wall, and this was a highlight for sure… with one notable downside.

Let’s start with the good.

Once you’re actually on the trail, it’s great. Easy to follow, scenic, and in our case just a little wet from recent rain, with a bit of water running down parts of the path. Nothing major, but something to be aware of.

The destination itself is fantastic. A massive concrete pipe cutting through rock with water rushing through it. It’s one of those spots that’s just plain cool to see in person.

Now for the not-so-great part… getting there.

Finding the trailhead is honestly the hardest part. We had to park near Coombs Country Candy, then run across a fairly busy highway with no crosswalk, and then figure out where the trail actually starts. That part definitely knocks a few points off the experience.

If you’re coming from the opposite direction, there is a small pullout closer to the trailhead, but it only fits maybe 2 or 3 cars at most.

So overall:

• Trail itself: great
• Getting to the trail: a bit sketchy

Still worth it, just go in knowing what to expect.

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Hamilton Hobby Farm

This ended up being one of those classic unplanned stops that turn into a great memory.

We hadn’t planned on going at all. We saw a sign, decided “why not,” turned in… and it ended up being a really fun experience.

They’ve got a wide range of animals, goats, pigs, chickens, horses, ponies, and even emus. It’s all self-guided, which makes it even better. You can wander at your own pace, go in and out of different paddocks, pet the animals, and just take it all in without feeling rushed.

We spent some time feeding the chickens, which was simple but surprisingly fun, and being able to get right up close to everything really made the experience.

And the emu… that was something else. Seeing it up close feels almost surreal, like you’re looking at something from a completely different era. There’s something about it that feels ancient, like a creature from a time long past.

It’s got a relaxed, hands-on feel, and nothing about it feels overly commercial.

Sometimes those spontaneous stops are the ones that stick the most, and this was definitely one of them.

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Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

This was the reason for the whole trip.

We actually booked this about a month ago, and everything else kind of built around it. And it absolutely lived up to it.

Before the tour even started, there was plenty to check out around the main area. We wandered a bit, spotted a waterfall nearby, and tried out their obstacle course, which is designed as a test for some of the more advanced cave tours.

One of the tighter squeezes on that course gave me a quick reality check. I just fit, but having the wooden beams (which was supposed to simulate the rocks in the passage) press against your chest like that definitely brings on a bit of claustrophobia. Something about not being able to take a full breath hits different.

We booked the easiest tour, which takes you through the Riverbend Cave, but even that had plenty to offer.

Getting there was a workout on its own. A long climb up a switchback trail that just keeps going until you finally reach the cave entrance… and then you head down into it.

From there, it was incredible.

Our guide was awesome. Funny, knowledgeable, and full of interesting facts the whole way through. They struck that perfect balance between keeping things safe and making sure everyone was having a good time.

We climbed, crouched, and made our way through tight sections and larger chambers filled with formations that have been building for thousands of years.

At one point, they shut off all the lights. Absolute darkness. True absolute darkness. The kind you can’t replicate anywhere else. Truthfully, it can only be experienced naturally deep in a cave, deep in the ocean or out in space.

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Overall Rating of Horne Lake Caves

First off, the guides were excellent. Knowledgeable, engaging, and they did a great job balancing safety with making it fun.

The cave itself is incredible. Tight squeezes, larger open chambers, and formations that have been building for thousands of years. You’re climbing, crouching, and occasionally crawling, so be prepared to get a bit dirty.

A couple things to note if you’re considering it:

• It’s physically involved. Not extreme, but definitely not a casual walk.
• If you’re claustrophobic, some sections might be challenging.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Seriously.

The more advanced tours go even further, with tight squeezes, crawling, army crawling, and even rappelling. There’s a lot here for every level, from beginner to full-on adventure.

Overall though? 10/10 and 100% worth it. Easily one of the coolest experiences we’ve done on the island.

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Final Thoughts

This wasn’t a big, elaborate trip, but it didn’t need to be. It was just a quick weekend getaway to relax and recharge.

Highlights:

• Horne Lake Caves, easily the standout
• Hole in the Wall, unique and worth it despite the tricky access
• A spontaneous stop at Hamilton Hobby Farm

Things to keep in mind:

• Hole in the Wall trailhead is harder (and a bit sketchy) to access than expected
• The cave tours are more physical than they might sound

All in all, a really solid weekend. A great mix of relaxing and exploring, with just enough spontaneity to make it memorable.

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Remember, you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Step outside, chase a new trail, get a little muddy along the way, and I’ll catch you next time.

Much love,
Rob ❤️