Ready, Set, Pedal!
Nanaimo’s not just bike-friendly, it’s built for it. Cruise the smooth, scenic paths, or dive straight into one of our gnarly mountain bike networks. Whether you’re rocking an e-bike, catching air on a BMX, or shredding singletrack like a pro, this city’s got the ride for you.
Ready to roll? Here’s our take on the perfect weekend exploring Nanaimo by bike.
Day 1
Morning
Ease into the day on Nanaimo’s paved bike trails! Smooth, scenic, and made for cruising, the Parkway Trail and the E&N Trail both run the length of the city, giving you options to start your vacay on two wheels.
Option 1
Looking for a casual start to your visit? Kick things off in the Stadium District and roll west along the Parkway Trail. About 5 km in, you’ll hit the Northfield Rotary Lookout, perfect for catching your breath and snagging views of Mount Benson. On the way back, swing onto Jingle Pot Road for a pit stop at Buttertubs Marsh, a wildlife sanctuary with a 2 km walking loop where herons, ducks, and songbirds are your only traffic.
Option 2
Feeling ambitious? Take the longer loop that shows off even more of Nanaimo on two wheels. Start in the Stadium District and cruise east along the Parkway Trail about 9 km until you hit Dunster Road. Perfect excuse to stop at Brannen Lake beach! Dip your toes, snap a pic, and call it “active recovery.”
From there, keep rolling down Dunster until it connects with Mostar Road and the Island Highway, where you’ll hop on the E&N Trail. Follow it another 10 km east to Bowen Park, where you can stretch it out with a riverside wander, chase waterfalls, or toss a round of disc golf (bonus points if you don’t lose a disc to the Millstone River).
*E-bikes and city bikes are suitable for these trails.
Lunch
Pedal back into the Old City Quarter and refuel like a champ. Grab a hearty lunch at Black Rabbit Kitchen, or roll next door to their sister spot, White Rabbit, for a brew and a stacked sandwich. Both locations have roomy patios made for people-watching, carb-loading, and keeping your bike within side-eye distance.
Option 1
Next Stop: Saysutshun Island.
Hop the passenger ferry from Maffeo Sutton Park (seasonal, but always worth it) and trade city streets for island trails. Bring your own wheels or rent a set from Jeff’s Bike and Kayak Shack when you land. Either way, you’ve got 22 km of multi-purpose trails waiting.
This isn’t just any island ride. Saysutshun is a place of deep historical and cultural significance to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and every turn tells a story. Cruise the shoreline trail out to Kanaka Bay, kick back on the sandy beach, and soak in those Strait of Georgia views that honestly feel too good to be real.
*City or mountain bikes are suitable for this location
Option 2
Adrenaline fix? Westwood Lake’s got you. Tucked in the foothills of Mount Benson, this spot is a mountain biker’s playground filled to the brim with steep climbs, fast descents, and bragging rights on Nanaimo’s first official trail, Legalize It. Shred it, send it, and when your legs finally tap out, spin the 6 km loop around the lake to cool down. Pro tip: the best finish line here is a cannonball straight into the water.
*Mountain bikes are required for this location
Evening
Give your legs a break, not your adventure. Swap the grind for glide with an EVO ebike! With stations scattered across Nanaimo, there’s a bike with your name on it ready to roll by the hour or for as long as you feel like cruising. Perfect for zipping the waterfront, downtown, and everywhere in between without breaking a sweat.
Weekday warrior? Link up with Nanaimo’s cycling crew. These rides aren’t about ego, they’re about community, fresh air, and maybe a little friendly trash talk.
- Coal City Cycles hosts 1.5 to 2 hour group rides, open to all skill levels, every Thursday at 6pm. Check their Instagram for details of the meeting point each week.
- Arrowsmith Bikes hosts two weekly group rides: Mondays at 6.30pm – ladies rides for all skill levels. Kids get their own special group ride every Tuesday at 6pm (must be accompanied by an adult).
Day 2
Morning
Option 1
Not into death-defying drops? Gabriola Island’s got your back. Hop the 20-minute ferry from downtown Nanaimo and roll straight into the forested trails of 707 Community Park. Originally 707 acres (but now over 1,000 because Gabriola doesn’t do small), this wild gem sits right in the heart of the island.
Bring your bike as a foot passenger, cruise up North Road, and duck in across from Tin Can Alley. From there, it’s all winding trails, mellow loops, and forest air so fresh it feels medicinal. Need a little help navigating? Grab a map at the Visitor Information Centre or Mid-Island Co-op and set off to get wonderfully lost.
*Trail or mountain bikes recommended
Option 2
Adrenaline chasers, this one’s for you. Doumont Road is Nanaimo’s mountain biking mecca, with 60 trails of pure send-it energy. We’re talking beginner-friendly warmups all the way to full-on technical beasts with boardwalks, jumps, and drops that’ll have your heart in your throat.
If you’re not wiping mud off your face and grinning ear to ear, you’re not doing it right.
*Mountain bikes required
Lunch
On Gabriola? Roll back into the village and hit up Ground Up Café and Catering, a local legend serving island-grown goodness that tastes like it was made just for you.
Back in Nanaimo? Point your wheels south on Doumont Road and land at the Black Bear Pub (over 19s only). Big menu, cold pints, and a deck view that’ll have you lingering longer than you planned.
Option 1
Stick around Gabriola, wander more parks, hit secret beaches, and snag fresh finds from those impossibly charming farm stands.
OR
Back in Nanaimo? Lets trade ferry decks for forest trails at Linley Valley Park! This protected wilderness park is home to trails for every kind of rider. Start easy from Linley Valley Road or the Altavista/Cascara corner and cruise the main trail. Feeling bold? Tackle the full 8 km loop and spice it up with some of the steeper detours! Your legs will complain, but your bragging rights will thank you.
*Trail or mountain bikes recommended.
Option 2
Need an afternoon that actually gets your heart racing?
Hit up the Stevie Smith Bike Park in Beban Park, a world-class playground for every kind of rider. BMX track? Check. Pump track? Oh yeah. Dirt jumps? From “easy does it” to “hold my drink,” they’ve got the lines dialled.
And if you’re still warming up, the mountain bike skills park is the perfect spot to level up, wipe out, and laugh about it before you send it for real on the trails.
*BMX or mountain bikes recommended.
Bike Shops, Repairs, and Rentals.
Bike troubles? Not in Nanaimo. With shops all over town doing sales, repairs, tune-ups, and rentals, there’s zero excuse to miss a ride. Flat tire, squeaky brakes, forgot your wheels? Sorted. Now get back out there and send it.
SHOPS & REPAIRS
- Arrowsmith Bikes: Sales, servicing and group rides
- BCebike: ebike specialist sales and repairs
- Coal City Cycles: Sales, servicing, repairs and group rides
- Family of Riders Bike Co: Sales and repairs
- Hub City Cycles Community Co-op: Sales, servicing
- Rock City Cycles: Sales, servicing and repairs
RENTAL OPTIONS
- EVO ebikes: Rental and drop off stations at 16 locations across Nanaimo. Hourly or longer rentals
- Hub City Bikes: Rent city/hybrid and electric bikes
- Jeff’s bike and kayak rentals: Cycle rental on Saysutshun
- Pedego: ebike rentals half to multi-day options
- Rock City Cycles: Half or full day rental options with their demo program
