Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands

Welcome to the sixth edition of the Backroad Mapbook for Vancouver and the Gulf Islands. Inside this guidebook, you will find the most comprehensive outdoor recreation resource available for all of the Islands.

Vancouver Island rises from the ocean, and stretches for the heavens, reaching altitudes high enough that there are areas where the snow never melts. It is a land of contrasts and sometimes contradictions, from the proper and civilized city of Victoria at its southern tip to Cape Scott, at its north, a wet, wild frontier that settlers tried and failed to settle.

The west coast of Vancouver Island is buffeted by some of the wildest winter storms in the country, while in the summer, the east coast of the island, less than 100 kilometres away, features some of the warmest lakes in the province. And it is the place to go for tourists looking for BC’s iconic Orcas. For outdoor adventurers, the Island offers everything from remote boat access only marine parks to world class hiking destinations.

In addition to Vancouver Island, this book also includes the Gulf Islands. These island gems are strung together by BC Ferries, and while many Vancouverites have taken to commuting from the Gulf Islands to work every morning, they still retain their rustic charm and relaxed pace that has made them popular getaways for folks from the mainland and from Vancouver Island alike.

We have added several exciting features to this addition of the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook. The most noticeable improvement is the readability of the maps with new colour relief shading, better road classifications and recreational symbols that really jump out from the page. Backroad enthusiasts will be pleased to see we spent a fair bit of time tracking down ‘new’ road systems and even tried to keep up with the constantly changing road names. Readers will also find the usual smattering of updates in the writing and a new section featuring some of the dramatic new waterfalls that cascade around the Island.

Since the Central Coast is often considered part of the Island, we have added a few new maps that cover the area west and northwest of Campbell River. This area is truly wild, and there are few trails, campsites or other recreational opportunities other than water-based activities like fishing, boating and kayaking.

Speaking of the Central Coast, this book is unique among all our products in that it has an on-line extension. We couldn’t shoehorn the entire Central Coast area into this book, because there just wasn’t enough room. However, for those who need these maps, they are available for download from our website, at www.backroadmapbooks.com.

The Islands have always been a favourite holiday destination for locals and for travellers from around the province and around the globe. Fantastic scenery, unparalleled Island hospitality and endless recreational opportunities are just a few of the reasons why this is such a popular destination.

With the Backroad Mapbook as your guide, you will find all the information needed to plan the perfect outdoor retreat. From day-trips to week or month-long adventures, the maps will show you how to get there and our writing will let you plan what to do when you are there. So sit back and enjoy what the Islands have to offer.