#20 False Narrows Sand Bar to Spring Beach

Easy beach walk accessible at low tides. Distance 6km. Park at the Community Hall, comer of South Road and Garland. Walk to the right down South Road past Shaw Road and around a long curve to a grassy area on the shore side. Just past a small metal shelter there is a yellow concrete beach access marker and stairs to the beach. Turn left along the beach to a point with farmland running down to the water. There are views down Pylades Channel with Mudge, Link and Decourcey Islands running south in a chain to your right as you walk. Around the point you will see Valdes Island with its sandstone cliffs. Continue along Spring Beach to the high wooded cliffs at the end. Take time to explore the enormous sculptured sandstone boulders here. At lowest tides see purple sea stars clustered on the undersides of rocks. Retrace your steps along the shoreline, enjoying different vistas on your return. You now look towards False Narrows with Mount Benson beyond, above Nanaimo. Return to the beach access stairs and turn right along South Road to the Community Hall.