Located off the west coast of Canada in the center of Vancouver Island, the Alberni Valley has many beautiful natural sights to see–everything from waterfalls to crystalline fishing waters to towering old growth forests. There are also plenty of recreational options to keep visitors entertained. Alberni Valley tourism has many opportunities, regardless of your interests.

The Valley is comprised of the city of Port Alberni and the surrounding area. Port Alberni tourism boasts that the city is “The Salmon Capital of the World.” It offers prime fishing, and because of this, it is a destination highly sought after by travellers to the area as well as those who call the west coast home.

Amongst the Port Alberni attractions are such unique local features as the Alberni Pacific steam train, a fully operational logging locomotive dating back to 1929 that takes tourists on a scenic ride to McLean Mill (Canada’s sole steam-powered sawmill that is still in use). Visitors to the area can step back in time and experience the sights that loggers would have seen on their way to work.

Cathedral Grove, an oldgrowth rainforest situated in MacMillan Provincial Park, is also one of the Port Alberni attractions that’s a must-see. Cathedral Grove allows you to walk amongst the aboreal giants–towering ancient cedars and eight centuries old Douglas firs. Standing at the base of a living monument to the past is a magical experience like no other.

Finally, another local gem is Della Falls. The water flows from a breath-taking height of 440 meters (1,450 feet), which makes Della Falls one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. A trail, built by Joe Drinkwater, leads to the falls from Great Central Lake, and he named the beautiful falls after his wife, Della.

With its fishing opportunities and many scenic natural attractions, Alberni Valley offers something for everyone-from leisure to adventure!

If you are travelling to Vancouver Island and looking for sights to see, Alberni Valley is a scenic region with many attractions, as is its center, the city of Port Alberni. Check of this article outlining the natural beauty of this area to get ideas about local attractions to visit.

Author: Randy McPherson