Roberts Roost is one of Nanaimos lesser known hikes, which makes it a very peaceful and quiet trail to walk along. It is an eastern ridge of Mt Benson within Morrell Nature Sanctuary, with great oceanside views from Crofton to Vancouver.
I have done this hike a couple of times in both winter and summer, and there is always only a few people on the trail. In winter the trail can get a bit muddy and the streams you have to cross are a bit higher, so I would recommend waterproof shoes or hiking boots.
STATS
- difficulty: easy/moderate (some steeper rope sections)
- duration: 2 hours
- distance: 6.5km
- elevation gain: 380m
NOTE: The Roost is in the Department of National Defense territory.
Hiking Directions
Start at the Morrell Sanctuary trailhead and keep going straight along the trail until you reach the powerlines in the clearcut area. You will cross the gravel road, as seen in the picture, and follow the trail into the forest.
When you get into the tree line you will cross over a stream, and when you see the second stream, you will head left before crossing it. This will be the second trail on your right after the gravel road. There will be a junction and a yellow flag to show you the way.
Follow this trail up through the forest for 30-45 minutes. You will follow a stream for the last part of this first leg until you hit the 2nd gravel road.
There will be a couple more turns along the way, but keep following the blue markers on the trees.
Eventually you’ll come to a fork where the trail joins a small, gravel road. Go right about 25 meters and you’ll go up a small dirt trail on the left, as depicted in the picture below.
You will then see a pretty high bluff ahead of you, and there will be ropes to help you climb up the semi steep trail.
After the ropes, you will head up steadily for another 15 minutes or so you will get to a clearing, where you will keep following a noticeable trail to the top.
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post is good. but you need to say which path to take after the gravel road.. ie second trial on the right at the crowsfoot with a blue mark on the tree. After you pass this you should cross a stream in 20 or so meters. If you don’t cross the stream you have chosen the wrong path.
Looks like a great spot to hike and without large crowds it sounds like my kind of place.
Ya and it is dog friendly:)
Dog friendly? BONUS!!
beautiful sceneries.
these pictures are not from this winter right? actually was just wondering how different it looks in winters
Ya it was from this year! We went November 23, before the snow.
Oh I see. Nice.
Overall I attempt and ingest my mix of Vitamin C from pills. While I’d really like to via a excellent meal plan it can be rather strenous to at all times.