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Geography

The Alberni Valley straddles Highway 4 on Vancouver Island, from the east end of Cameron Lake to the western tip of Sproat Lake. Encompassing Mt Arrowsmith, Cameron Lake, Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, the City of Port Alberni, and Sproat Lake, including Taylor Arm Provincial Park and Fossli Provincial Park. The terrain is diverse, with low-lying areas around the north end of the Alberni inlet, primeval rainforests, wild mountain regions, and Mt. Arrowsmith, the highest peak (elevation 1,819 m) on Southern Vancouver Island. Getting here is easy.

Wildlife

The Alberni Valley is home to a stunning menagerie of furred, finned, and feathered creatures, offering countless opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to observe these animals in their natural habitats while maintaining a respectful distance to preserve the delicate balance of their ecosystems. Whether you’re wandering through lush forests, exploring the rugged mountains, or simply enjoying the tranquil lakes, you’ll find the valley brimming with life and a sense of harmony that reflects the region’s deep connection to nature.

On any given day in the Alberni Valley, you could see black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, beavers, and black bears. Wolves and cougars call this space home, but it’s unlikely you’ll run across them without making special preparations. In the high mountain areas of Mt. Arrowsmith, you might find the Vancouver Island Marmot, a species which occurs naturally only in the high mountains of Vancouver Island.

The rivers, streams, and lakes are teeming with life in the Alberni Valley, with some of Vancouver Island’s best spots to fish for steelhead, rainbow, and Cutthroat trout. And the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound are famous for salmon, as well as itinerant populations of humpback whales, orcas, harbour seals, and sea lions.

In the skies above the Alberni Valley, you might see many of the over 200 species of migratory and local birds, including bald eagles, hawks, and osprey.