Guide to Visiting The Abyss in Nanaimo

Vancouver Island is full of interesting hidden gems and The Abyss Nanaimo is definitely one of them!  If you are looking for unique things to do on Vancouver Island, The Abyss is an easy hike and well-worth the trip.  We’re sharing all the info on how to get to the Nanaimo Abyss, where to park and what to expect on The Abyss hike!

What is The Abyss Nanaimo?

The Abyss is what local’s call the large crack in the ground that is found along the Extension Ridge Trail.  It is not known how old this fissure is or what exactly caused it, at least not from any research I could find.  It is believed to have been caused by an earthquake or the ground collapsing into an old mine shaft, but no one seems to know for sure.  Either way, it is still a very cool feature to see!

The crack is over a foot wide in its widest sections and who knows how deep it goes!  You can peer down as far as the eye can see but you won’t be able to see the bottom.

How to get to The Abyss

The Abyss is located in Nanaimo on beautiful Vancouver Island, just southwest of the city on Harewood Mines Road.  It is located about 100km north of Victoria.  If you are coming from Victoria, take the Trans-Canada Highway and head north for about 90km.  Once you reach Nanaimo, but before you reach the city center, turn left onto Old Victoria Road. After about 2km, turn left onto Seventh Street which then turns into Harewood Mines Road.  Follow Seventh Street/Harewood Mines Road for 3.5km and then you will find the trailhead for The Abyss on your left.

To get to The Abyss from the road, you will have to hike about a kilometer up the Extension Ridge Trail, which is part of The Great Trail.  If you haven’t heard of The Great Trail, it is the longest recreational trail in the world and goes right across Canada!

Parking at The Abyss Nanaimo

As you approach the trailhead on Harewood Mines Road, you will notice a gravel parking area on the side of the road, underneath the power lines.  You can park anywhere here on the gravel areas.  It is a popular hiking and biking spot so you will likely see many other cars when you arrive, letting you know you’ve arrived at the right place.

The Abyss Nanaimo Hike

The hike to The Abyss is fairly easy for those of average fitness and is very well-marked.  It’s perfect for families and dogs.  The trail only has about 100m of elevation gain, but there are exposed roots in parts and a few rocky sections.

However, there’s no scrambling or climbing required nor are there any slippery sections.  It is very easily doable with a baby in a carrier, but definitely not in a stroller.

The Extension Ridge Trail is also very popular for mountain biking. Make sure to be alert for any bikes coming your way as it is a shared trail.  Also, as on many hikes on Vancouver Island, be aware of bears and cougars as they are known to be in the area.  As the trail is pretty busy, we weren’t too worried, but just be mindful.

The Abyss Trail Directions:

From the parking area, you will see a blue and white sign for Extension Ridge Trail and a larger sign board to the right.

Follow this flat trail for about two minutes and then you will see stairs to your right.  In the summer, this spot by the stairs is full of blackberry bushes, FYI 🙂  A good pre or post-hike snack, anyone?

Head up the stairs and continue up the trail.

Any time you reach what could be a fork in the path, you will see a blue and white trail sign, so just follow those 🙂  The trail is in a logged area so there isn’t much shade at all.  Once you approach the treed section about 15 minutes in, you know you are close to The Abyss.

Once you’ve finished examining the awesome Abyss, you can either choose to head back down or continue on the Extension Ridge Trail for another 3 or 4 kilometers.  We decided to turn back as our toddler was starting to complain, but if you continue, there are nice views of Mt. Benson, the ocean, and even Mt. Baker in the far distance on a clear day.  You’ll even come across a “fairy circle”.

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Review of The Abyss Nanaimo

This is a fairly quick and easy hike with great reward!  If you’ll be in the area, this is a great little one hour pit stop for a quick adventure, or you can do the whole hike for a longer 10km workout 🙂  For those who’ve never seen an earthquake fissure before, it is definitely a neat experience.

I didn’t think I would be scared, but as I stood over the crack and peered down, it definitely made me a little freaked out. And most others we saw there surprisingly said the same.

Despite not seeming that wide in photos, once we saw it in person, the crack seemed wider and deeper than we had expected.  It definitely felt wide enough to slip into, or at least lose your hat or sunglasses in.  I was nervous I would drop my phone as I took photos! lol.  If I had a dog or a child running around, I would definitely be very careful as there have been dogs that have fallen in.

So, be careful and watch your kids and pets.  But definitely go check it out!

Video of The Abyss Nanaimo

And if you’re wondering what it looks like way down in The Abyss, you’re in luck because somebody has filmed the descent with a Go Pro attached to a rope!

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