Family-friendly Outings and Hikes in the Comox Valley

Autumn in the Comox Valley is so much more than pumpkin-spice lattes, apple pies and flannel shirts. Between the local festivals, crisp air and changing foliage, it’s an excellent time to get out and about with the family before the rain and snow set in.

From pumpkin patch visits to walks in the woods, the Valley has something for everyone at this time of year. Following are ideas for fun fall outings and excursions.

Fall Family Outings

The official start to the season kicks off with Cumberland’s annual Foggy Mountain Fall Fair, being held on the Fall Equinox, September 21st. The village comes alive with a day-long street market full of artisan vendors, live music and pop-up harvest art projects. Families can join in heritage games and crafts, visit the Museum open house or head to 1st Street for the community square dance. Arguably the most important and anticipated event of the year will occur with the legendary Pie of the Year Contest and auction in Buchanan Hall. Tasting and judging begins after 4 p.m., so bring your sweet tooth!

On the other side of the Valley, September and October are prime times to visit Seiffert Farms to grab some fall harvest. Then, while you’re in the neighbourhood, stop by the Comox Air Force Museum. Located at the main gate of CFB Comox, the museum displays West Coast military aviation history from WWI to modern-day search and rescue. Exhibits, artifacts and an aviation reference library make this a fascinating stop, with admission by donation. Just a short walk away, the Heritage Air Park displays historic aircraft like the CF-100 Canuck, CF-101 Voodoo, Douglas Dakota and Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King. The grounds are wheelchair- and scooter-accessible.

If pumpkins are more your kind of fall vegetable, you’ll want to check out both Shamrock Farm and Coastal Black Estate Winery.

• Shamrock Farm (Comox) is a charming, family-run spot with a cozy vibe. Their Pumpkin Patch Festival features u-pick pumpkins, hay rides, a petting farm and sometimes mazes or crafts especially suited for little ones.

• Coastal Black (Black Creek) offers another fall festival, complete with corn mazes, wagon rides, sunflower fields and hay bale climbing. Rumour has it there may even be a corn cannon. (Oh, and did I mention there’s the option for a wine tasting while the kids are busy with the corn?)

Nature Walks & Favourite Hikes

It’s never a bad time to hit the trails, but as the leaves begin to turn, our local paths truly start to shine. Here are favourites for every age and ability:

• Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk & Air Park – A flat, paved almost five-kilometre loop that’s stroller- and wheelchair-friendly (not to mention bike-, rollerblade- and scooter-friendly, too). Watch small planes take off from the runway and keep an eye out for river otters and seals in the river. Plus, you can enjoy playgrounds, picnic spots and a café along the way. The shorter two-kilometre Air Park Loop is perfect for tiring out the little ones.

• Seal Bay Nature Park – Explore forest and seaside trails while learning about the area’s cultural significance to the K’ómoks First Nation. Interpretive signs in the traditional Coast Salish language add depth and context to your walk. Plus, the oceanside offers opportunities for tidepooling and beachcombing.

• Nymph Falls Nature Park – This is an easy, family-friendly hike area with off-leash dog sections and photo ops galore, including the cascading waterfall. Watch fish returning in October and November to leap their way up the fish ladders. Plus, the trail to the Falls themselves is wheelchair accessible.

• Cumberland Community Forest – Just steps from the village’s downtown, this forest offers historic trails, wildlife viewing and an illustrated map to help plan your adventure. The multi-use trail system sees plenty of action throughout the year.

• Paradise Meadows and Strathcona Park (Mount Washington) – Boardwalk trails and alpine meadows make this spot both accessible and breathtaking. Loops range from short three-kilometre strolls to longer seven- to nine-kilometre circuits around Helen MacKenzie and Battleship Lakes. And for those seeking more rugged adventure, the Meadows trailhead offers a gateway to Strathcona (BC’s oldest provincial park!), which can be enjoyed on day hikes or multi-day treks. Lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows and mountain views await.

Whether you’re into sipping apple cider at a corn maze, checking out local harvests or wandering through our gorgeous forests as they change colour, the Comox Valley is overflowing with family-friendly fall adventure opportunities. Get out there and enjoy!

For more information about living in the Comox Valley or if you are considering buying or selling here, please feel free to get in touch; contact me, visit my website or reach out through Facebook or Instagram.