Keats Island contains many hiking trails connecting the island's destinations. These vary from short loops around the parks to longer treks across the island.
This 1-km loop within the Provincial Park gives hikers a taste of the characteristic Keats forest preserved within the provincial park boundaries. It is usually well-maintained.
Branching towards the northeast from the Plumer's Cove park loop is a trail that takes the hiker through mature forest towards Barnabas. Watch for the charred reminders of an ancient forest fire on the bark of the oldest trees. This trail runs parallel to the private Melody Point cabins trail: to reach the publicly-accessible trail, check the trail map: take the second left when walking counter-clockwise along the start of the Park Loop trail, or the first right when taking the loop clockwise. Make sure to "high-five" the high-five tree when you pass by!
This trail connects Keats Landing to Plumper's Cove Marine Provincial Park. The trail runs through a mixture of young forest, old forest, and Salal thickets, providing an overview of the main island ecosystems. Part of the trail near Plumper's Cove is often flooded, so prepare to hop between dry patches. Near Plumper's Cove is the trailhead for the Farm Trail, and near Keats Landing is a fork that leads to the cliff-face access point for Highest Peak.
This trail, built by Katimavik, takes hikers through the forest from Keats Landing to Salmon Rock. Keep an eye out for painted rocks decorating the trail! See the destination guide for Salmon Rock to learn more about this unique spot.
The farm trail is a minimally-maintained trail that takes the hiker from an access near Plumper's Cove to an access near Melody Point. This adventurous trail winds through mature Douglas-fir/Western Redcedar forest, offering an experience of the characteristic Keats Forest. Hikers should watch for flagging tape and plastic squares marking the trail, and bring a GPS device as it is very easy to lose the trail. Keep in mind that parts of this trail become flooded during the wet seasons.
Keats Road is a road that stretches from Eastbourne to Keats Landing, and connects a variety of trails. Hikers should remain alert for vehicles on the road and be aware that the road can become quite dusty during the summer months. Drivers should be on the look-out for hikers and deer in the road, and be aware that provincial driving regulations remain in effect on the island. Keats Road also provides access points for trails leading towards Melody Point, Bridgman's Bluff, Highest Peak, and other island destinations.
Skyline Road is the name of the powerline right-of-way on Keats Island. While it is depicted as a road on many maps (including Google Maps), and parts of the powerline do run along a road, most parts are not passable as the powerline stretches above dense blackberry thicket, marshy ground, and steep terrain. Hikers should not attempt to follow it, and should enjoy the many other trails on the island instead.
This trail loops around the edge of Silver Creek Park in Eastbourne, providing views of the wetland and forest ecosystems. Keep an ear out for the croaking of Pacific Chorus Frogs and Red-legged Fogs, and watch for butterflies and dragonflies basking at the roadside.