Exploring the Alberni Valley: A Guide to Inclusive and Accessible Travel
The Alberni Valley Tourism Association (AVTA) is currently engaged in an Inclusive Marketing Audit & Content Refresh Project. This initiative is designed to ensure that tourism information is transparent, accessible, and reflective of the diverse needs of all travelers. This project was completed in collaboration with Lexa Bergen—Inclusion & Accessibility Advisor, Photographer, and Storyteller—and was further informed by the invaluable perspectives of individuals with lived experience. By providing clear, plain-language logistics, the AVTA aims to empower visitors to make informed decisions about their adventures in the region.
The following guide provides detailed write-ups and plain-language access information for key locations across the Alberni Valley.
Local Flavors and Community Gathering Hubs
Spirit Square Farmers’ Market A cornerstone of the local community, this market is situated on a flat, paved brick square, making navigation smooth for those using mobility aids. The vendor pathways are kept clear and wide, and the site features accessible picnic tables. Clear, high-contrast signage makes the public washroom facilities easy to locate.
Farmers market set up within the square, with vendor tables arranged in rows and clear pathways between stalls.
Harbour Quay This waterfront destination offers mostly level paved surfaces and wide boardwalks. For those looking to get closer to the water, a wide vehicle ramp equipped with a handrail provides access to the lower concrete pier. It is a scenic spot for shopping and dining with ample space for movement.
Wide public square at Harbour Quay with flat paved brick ground, open space, and permanent features like pillars and seating.
Bare Bones Fish House & Smokery This Indigenous-owned restaurant offers a welcoming environment with a ramped entrance for easy access. Inside, the staff provides high-contrast menus to assist guests with low vision, and the seating includes center-pedestal tables that are more accommodating for wheelchair users.
Restaurant interior with hardwood floors, wide clear pathways, and table seating throughout the space.
Entry of restaurant has a ramp leading to the entrance and a manual door.
Bombers Cafe & Creperie As a queer-owned business, Bombers focuses on creating a safe and open space for all. The interior layout is intentionally kept open with no rugs or floor obstacles, facilitating easy movement. For guests who may have difficulty reading the menu boards, staff are trained to provide verbal assistance.
Open café interior with clear pathways, no rugs or carpets, and table and booth seating.
Twin City Brewing This local favorite features very low door thresholds and smooth wood floors throughout the interior. To assist with readability, the brewery utilizes high-contrast, backlit menu boards, ensuring that their offerings are visible to all patrons.
Brewery entrance with a very low door threshold and a manual door with a full-length vertical handle.
Alberni Brewing Designed with accessibility in mind, Alberni Brewing features a step-free entrance and durable concrete floors. The facility includes a spacious washroom with a sink designed for wheelchair roll-under access, and the outdoor patio features sturdy, stable seating.
Exterior of a brewery with a step-free entrance and a manual door.
Boutique Shopping and Local Art
The Salty Woodsman Located in the industrial block, this shop features locally crafted art and rugged apparel. The entrance is step-free, and while some displays are tucked away, the main retail pathways are wide enough to accommodate mobility devices comfortably.
Retail space with concrete floors, wide pathways, and displays of art, goods, and products.
Exterior of a shop in an industrial area with a step-free entrance and manual door.
Wildflower Café This locally-owned café focuses on seasonal, organic ingredients and caters to various dietary needs with modified menu options. The space includes a single-user accessible washroom and a level entry, making it a convenient stop for a healthy meal.
This single-user washroom features installed grab bars, ample space to move, and a sink designed for wheelchair roll-under access.
Restaurant entrance with a short ramp and low door threshold.
Pinto Goods & Refillery and West Hump The Alberni Valley’s retail scene continues to grow with inclusive spaces like Pinto Goods, which focuses on low-waste living, and West Hump, an outdoor gear thrift shop. Both locations offer step-free entrances and open layouts that allow for a relaxed shopping experience.
Exterior of West Hump showing the entrance.
Heritage and Outdoor Exploration
Sproat Lake Provincial Park & K’ak’awin (Sproat Lake Petroglyphs) To witness the historic K’ak’awin (petroglyphs), visitors can utilize a wide, well-maintained gravel trail. This path leads toward a floating dock that offers a stable vantage point for viewing the prehistoric rock carvings, blending cultural history with natural beauty.
Wide gravel trail through a forested area, leading toward the lake.
A bench along the gravel trail.
Floating dock at the edge of the lake where the petroglyphs can be viewed.
Navigating the Valley
The City of Port Alberni continues to invest in infrastructure that supports all travelers. High-contrast wayfinding signage is placed at key intersections to assist with navigation, and an increasing number of bike racks are being installed to support those traveling by non-car modes of transport.
A bike rack in the City of Port Alberni.
Signs with high-contrast colours, clear text and arrows showing routes to local areas.
By providing detailed access information, the AVTA aims to remove the guesswork from travel, inviting everyone to experience the unique beauty and hospitality of the Alberni Valley. For further information on individual businesses, please reach out to them directly before your visit.