Rainforest to Rockies: Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Mile 0 on Vancouver Island

Vancouver’s unique location offers a reminder of how close both the Pacific Ocean and the mountains are. Spend happy hour at a beachside restaurant, an afternoon on an Indigenous cultural canoe trip up Indian Arm with Takaya Tours, or take a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain for spectacular views of the city, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf Islands beyond. Walk or cycle around Stanley Park’s 400-hectare rainforests and the Seawall surrounding it, and explore temperate rainforest trails.

Your journey to Mile 0 starts by heading west on Trans-Canada Highway 1 to BC Ferries’ Horseshoe Bay terminal, where sailings depart regularly to Nanaimo. The ferry route is considered part of Highway 1, and on Vancouver Island continues south from Nanaimo to Victoria.

A visit to the harbourfront city of Nanaimo helps ease you into Island life. Start with a leisurely coffee accompanied by a Nanaimo bar (a sugary chocolate-and-custard treat that originated here) while you watch seaplanes land in the harbour. Wander the city to meet artisans and visit local shops, or explore the forest-covered islands off the coast. Take a tiny passenger ferry to Saysutshun (also known as Newcastle Island), rent kayaks, swim, and learn more about why the island is so special to the local Snuneymuxw People. Another outdoor option is Petroglyph Provincial Park, just south of Nanaimo, home to First Nations carvings dating back more than 1,000 years.

While it’s only an hour-long drive between Nanaimo and Cowichan Bay, stopping at the charming seaside towns and thriving artist communities en route can quickly fill an entire day. Window shop Ladysmith’s historic First Avenue, admire murals in Chemainus, and explore Duncan’s Indigenous art galleries and the 44 hand-carved totem poles throughout the city. 

The area around Cowichan Bay and Cobble Hill is Vancouver Island’s prime wine-growing region, and you can pair perfect sips from small wineries, cideries, and distilleries with local oysters and mussels.

The postcard-worthy views of the Strait of Georgia make the journey between Cowichan Bay and Victoria particularly noteworthy. A highlight for many is driving the scenic stretch of road between Mill Bay and Goldstream—known as the Malahat Drive—that winds sharply as it climbs steeply to sweeping views over inlets, bays, the Southern Gulf Islands, and the mountains closer to Vancouver. Take the spiral ramp tower that reaches 250 metres above sea level for amazing views of the coastline and forest at the Malahat SkyWalk. 

Victoria is BC’s capital, with Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada Highway 1 sitting on the waterfront at Beacon Hill Park. While many cite the city’s British feel—from the grand parliament buildings and afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress hotel to the 55 acres of manicured blooms at The Butchart Gardens and the Victorian storefronts and pubs that line Government Street—Victoria is so much more.

Delve into the province’s diverse history at the Royal BC Museum, including spectacular exhibitions highlighting the area’s  Indigenous artistry and rich culture. Victoria’s charming Chinatown is Canada’s oldest, with narrow alleys made for exploring. A drive or cycle around the city takes in beachfront neighbourhoods, while whale-watching trips from Victoria’s photogenic Inner Harbour may bring you closer to orca, humpback, grey, and minke whales. 

With a quick ferry ride back to Vancouver via Swartz Bay (30 minutes north of Victoria along Highway 17), this extension is an easy way to experience the coast before or after you head off on your Rainforest to Rockies adventure. 

Please note: Remember to check for access information and note which parks or areas require advance booking or have other unique conditions.

Header image: Three orcas with a mountain backdrop | Reuben Krabbe