Best Outdoor Workout Spots in Nanaimo: Parks, Trails and Waterfront Places to Move

by Veronique Rioux | Aug 27, 2023 | news

Nanaimo is a great place to exercise outdoors. With lakes, forest trails, waterfront parks and access to longer hiking routes, you can build strength, endurance and mobility without always needing a gym.

Outdoor movement can also make exercise feel less repetitive. A walk can become a hill workout, a park bench can become part of a strength circuit, and a trail can challenge balance and coordination in ways a treadmill cannot.

Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

Outdoor workouts can give you variety, fresh air and a change of scenery. Walking or hiking over uneven terrain also challenges the feet, ankles, hips and balance differently than flat indoor exercise.

Sun exposure can contribute to vitamin D production, but I would not use outdoor exercise as a guarantee that you are getting enough vitamin D. Season, skin exposure, time of day and other factors all matter.

The biggest benefit may simply be that many people enjoy being outside and are therefore more likely to move consistently.

1. Neck Point Park

Neck Point is one of Nanaimo’s best-known waterfront parks, with roughly 3 kilometres of trails, beach access, stairs, rocky sections and ocean views. The City describes it as a 36-acre waterfront park with trails through Garry oak areas and along rugged coastline.

It works well for:

• brisk walking
• easy trail running
• hill and stair intervals
• walking lunges or bodyweight exercises in an open area
• mobility or yoga overlooking the water

Because some areas are uneven or rocky, pay attention to footing rather than treating every trail section like a running track.

2. Westwood Lake Park

Westwood Lake has a 5.51-kilometre loop that is popular with walkers and runners. The trail is generally considered easy, although there is a steeper section on the west side.

This is one of my favourite types of places for steady aerobic training because you can simply walk or run the loop and let the terrain provide some natural variation.

Try:

• a brisk full loop
• walk-run intervals
• hill repeats
• a longer endurance walk
• a short strength circuit before or after the loop

The lake is also used for swimming and paddling, which gives you more ways to be active in warmer months.

3. Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park

Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park has a large network of wilderness trails through forest, valleys, open fields and rocky knolls. The City recommends staying on groomed trails if you are unfamiliar with the area because the broader area includes parcels under different ownership.

This is a great option for:

• trail walking
• hiking
• trail running
• longer steady cardio
• practicing balance over changing terrain

The changing surfaces make it more dynamic than walking on pavement.

4. Colliery Dam Park

Colliery Dam Park combines lakes, forest and trails that range from relatively easy to steeper sections. The City notes that some upper-dam trails include steep terrain and narrow bridge crossings.

It can be a good place for:

• walking
• trail intervals
• hill work
• a bodyweight circuit
• slower mobility or stretching after a walk

This is another place where you can adjust the difficulty simply by choosing flatter or steeper routes.

5. Saysutshun

Saysutshun, also known as Newcastle Island Marine Park, is accessible from Nanaimo by boat or passenger ferry. BC Parks lists about 22 kilometres of trails around the island, with generally easy hiking routes connecting different areas and historic sites.

This is less of a quick workout destination and more of an active day.

Walk the trails, carry a daypack, explore different parts of the island and let the total amount of movement become the workout.

6. Pipers Lagoon Park

Pipers Lagoon is a beautiful waterfront area for walking and lighter outdoor movement. The City includes it among Nanaimo’s public waterfront parks and maintains washroom access during park hours.

It works well for:

• walking
• gentle jogging
• mobility
• outdoor yoga
• recovery days

Not every workout needs to be intense.

A scenic walk can still be useful movement.

7. Ammonite Falls and Longer Trail Hikes

Ammonite Falls can turn a workout into more of a hiking session.

Rather than thinking of a trail like this as an “intense calorie-burning workout,” I would treat it as endurance, lower-body conditioning and time on your feet.

Hiking can challenge:

• calves
• glutes
• quads
• ankle stability
• balance
• cardiovascular endurance

Trail conditions can change, so check current access and conditions before heading out.

8. Nanaimo’s Waterfront and Harbour Areas

You do not need wilderness trails to exercise outdoors.

Nanaimo’s waterfront pathways can work well for:

• walking
• jogging
• easy recovery sessions
• stroller walks
• interval walking
• mobility breaks

The City of Nanaimo manages more than 1,000 hectares of parkland and about 180 kilometres of trails, so there are many options beyond the better-known locations.

Turn Any Park Into a Simple Workout

You do not need specialized outdoor equipment.

Try:

1. 5–10 minutes brisk walking
2. 10 squats
3. 8–12 incline push-ups on a sturdy bench
4. 8 reverse lunges per side
5. 30–60 seconds of step-ups
6. 20–30 seconds of side plank per side
7. walk for another few minutes

Repeat two or three times.

Choose stable surfaces and avoid using benches or structures in ways they were not designed for.

Trail Walking Is Strength Work Too

Walking on uneven terrain is not the same as walking on a treadmill.

Your feet, ankles, knees and hips constantly make small adjustments.

Hills add more demand to the glutes, calves and cardiovascular system.

That does not replace progressive strength training, but it complements it very well.

Outdoor Training for Hiking

If you are preparing for longer hikes, local trails are a practical training tool.

Gradually increase:

• distance
• elevation
• time on your feet
• pack weight
• frequency

Do not increase everything at once.

Combine hiking with strength work for the legs, hips, calves and trunk.

Choose the Environment That Makes You Want to Move

Some people are motivated by the gym.

Others would rather walk around Westwood Lake, climb a hill or train near the ocean.

There is no single best environment.

The best option is one that helps you move consistently and supports the goals you care about.

For more structured training, explore Personal Training in Nanaimo or Group Fitness Classes in Nanaimo.