Extraordinary place to watch old trees just next to the highway. Old and massive trees that you can admire and even touch. They have built a wooden passage on one side of the highway. Easy to walk and take pictures. You can't find trees that big anywhere else in Canada. Love it!

Excellent stop to see some of Canada’s oldest trees over 500 years old! We did stop in early September and it had reopened (previously closed due to forest fire concerns). The old tall (& tallest) trees are on the south side with no washrooms. Trails are short and maybe only 5-10 minutes to loop around. The other side with the public washrooms leads you on a nice boardwalk close to the lake. Again only a 5-10 min loop. Although you can walk farther up and do the walk around the lake which is super long hike and not recommended for children. The highway is busy so be careful when crossing the road! And watch out for the potholes while exiting the parking back onto the highway.

Definitely a place you’ll want on your bucket list if you’re in the area. The forest is sacred so please be respectful and obey the signs and pathways. There are lots of places where you can climb logs and touch trees as well as take pictures and access the creek without going off the path. They put a lot of effort into making the forest accessible without disturbing the beautiful scenery.

This is one of the must-see stops along this route. This forest is full of some beautiful and massive trees. You feel like you’re in another world looking at some of the things that have grown in the forest. The trail does get wet and muddy at parts so be prepared for that. There’s limited parking, so slow down when you see the signs for it as you may need to park on the highway shoulder. Be careful crossing the road if you’re driving westbound, as the Cathedral Grove entrance is on the other side of the road.

This is a MUST VISIT if you're on Nanaimo Island. FREE easy walking trails to see some of nature's oldest and biggest trees. Did I mention they are cedar trees, so the air smells AMAZING? I also like that there are a variety of loops. You can take a long or a short walk depending on what you have energy for. A nice place to bring kids and dogs too.

Well attended "must-see" on the island. Visited during september and managed to park but I guess it is more challenging during peak season. The "trail" around the area is quite short and I guess the average "visiting time" here is around an hour. It seems to be arranged for people with physical disabilities as well. Well worth the visit!

We stopped at cathedral grove on our way to Bowser where we booked airbnb amodst nature. Cathedral grove is all about short walks/trails in ancient red cedar tress. Threse trees are like hundreds of years old. And it is evident from the barks of the trees. And there is one tallest tree almost at the centre of the park. Yoy can see the forest is kind of humid, lots of moisturizer due to which some trees are fully covered by moss. There is a stream running through the park, it is nice to spend sometimes around. On the other side of the road wooden pathway is made for walking on the map the trails goes to the lake but we couldn't find any branch that goes towards the lake on the wooden path. But it is a good quick spot while visiting Vancouver Island.

Nice little walk around the forest. There are several spots closed for rehabilitation of the trail and moving debris from previous storms. Parking is a bit of an issue since it’s located right on the main highway in and out. Glad to have restrooms as well. I would stop by if you have never visited before

What an amazing place to visit. The trees are enormous and so old (some of them over 800 years old). The boardwalks are very well maintained and meander throughout the area. Parking can be a challenge and the traffic zipping by makes it a bit dangerous so be careful getting out of your car and crossing the road!

Easy and beautiful 1.8km walk (if you do the loops on both sides of the street) with very impressive trees.

The board walk is excellent. Provides access for anyone to experience this small, beautiful area of old grow.

Part of MacMillan Provincial Park, Vancouver Island’s Cathedral Grove is an amazing collection of giant Douglas Fir trees that are accessible just off a main road. The trees are truly a phenomenal sight: some are well over 800 years old and can be more than 29.5 feet (9m) in circumference. The majestic trees create a shaded wonderland of moss and rainforest growth that seems instantly otherworldly. You don’t need to break a sweat to make the most out of Cathedral Grove. The most well-trodden trail featuring the park’s biggest tree is only 0.3 miles (0.5km) long, but there’s no need to rush through – it’s easy to spend a couple of hours on this trail reading the interpretive signs and bathing in the glory of the forest. There are a few other trails in the area but be warned that accessing them all involves crossing the main highway.

Mc millan park or cathedral groove is “kind of the same” place to make the stop, walk and admire nature, if you are going to port alberni, tofino and ucluelet, this is a must!, you have to take a break and breath between the huge trees, there’s plenty space to park but is a very transited highway, so be carefull, the trail is relatively flat and wide, making it easy to walk, free entrance, dogs can enter but must be on a leash and under control at all times, definitely i’ll come back!

Cathedral Grove is a very nice place in the forest. There are only a few parking spaces so you probably have to park a little bit further down the street. There are toilets available. On both sides of the street you can find shirt walking loops through the forest. In the forest you can find trees up to 800 years in age and up to 76 m high.

An amazing place to visit. Like walking through a movie or different era of time. Trees are so big and tall. A must visit place if you come to Vancouver Island. There is a nice trail both sides of the road but we only walked on one side. There are washrooms but not flush toilets at the entrance.

Worth the drive to see these huge and beautiful trees, really makes you amazed at God’s handy work!

Amazing stop on the way to Tofino! The trees are so big and beautiful. Also nice outhouses if you need a bathroom break on your drive.

The trail is well maintained. The trees are spectacular. With many right on the path to take a photo. The trail is accessible to all.

Had a beautiful drive to the Cathedral Grove for the first, since I was a child. The grove was more amazing than I remember. Amazing place to forest bath and just take everything and just too feel small. Beautiful new boardwalk, and not too busy, winter might be best time too visit.

I do enjoy a walk thru wooded area so it's always going to be a win for me. This was no exception. 2 short trails. Large Douglas Firs. No immediate stand out moment but the awe of tall trees is satisfying. A decent stop off between east and west of Vancouver Island. Car parking is limited so watch out. Also slightly disappointed there wasn't a proper pedestrian crossing between the 2 trails. Means crossing the busy carriageway. That does seem to be an oversight but on general drivers do seem to take care.

Beautiful old growth forest and nice walks through the area to enjoy the incredible trees and scenery. Parking is a bit of a nightmare though. Get there early to find a spot. The highway runs right thru the parking area so it gets a little chaotic when the area fills up. I know they probably don't want to cut down any more trees to pave more, but it's a little scary how busy it gets. All in all a gorgeous place though!

It was a very beautiful stop. Boardwalks all over, so easily accessible for anyone who has mobility issues. The washrooms were nasty and over used, under cleaned. This is a very popular place to stop, but all of that aside, unparalleled natural environment right off the highway. Nice to see the Boardwalks upgraded, washrooms needed some attention.