Beaufort Range Bikepacking Loop

by Roger Chayer
2 years ago
Near Fanny Bay, CA

99 views

This three day, two night excursion is a fun, novice/intermediate loop. It can be started a various obvious points on the route. It crosses public and private forest lands, goes through the great small town of Cumberland and on the outskirts of the city of Port Alberni. When on private forest lands pay attention to possible closures. On both public and private be aware of logging activities, including logging trucks. Water can be scarce, on the west side of the range, so load up early and when the opportunity offers. It has some difficult sections but they are short. The highest elevation is 500m, and some great views can be had looking over to the Baynes Sound and beyond. Travel is mostly on good gravel roads and paved road travel is limited to the travel in Cumberland. In Cumberland all amenities are available: Dodge City Cycles (DCC), a super friendly bike shop, the Seeds Natural Food Store; the Cumberland Brewing Company is a for sure good bet; several excellent eateries, coffee shops, and feel the love at Love's Ice Cream Shop; and if you're looking for place to get cleaned up and rest for the night try the Riding Fool Hostel (oh and it's next door to DCC). For any scrapes, there are a few pharmacies but the nearest health clinic is in Courtenay. The route skirts the City of Port Alberni, but if you're looking for city amenities Port Alberni has them. all. The Coomb's Candy Store is a welcome break from the Lacy Road descent. For camping options there is the Horne Lake Provincial Park - reservations most often required, otherwise wild camping is the option. For a fun activity try out the Horne Lake Caves, it's not that far off the route. As always use "Postive Impact Bikepacking Practices" follow this link - https://www.bikepackingroots.org/positiveimpact.html - The trip's rated difficulty is 5, using bikepacking.com's scale.