Little Huson Caves
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Little Huson Caves
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Hiking to the Little Huson Caves is a short adventure that will take you through the forest to explore a series of naturally occurring karst caves in the rugged Vancouver Island landscape. This quick 0.5mi out-and-back hiking route is well-maintained and lets you get up close and personal with the caves, making it an ideal excursion for hikers of all skill levels, especially families with young children. For little required effort, this hidden gem of a trail is an amazing outdoor adventure that you won’t soon forget.
Getting there
To reach the parking area for the Little Huson Caves from Woss, head west on BC-19 for 13.2mi and turn left onto Steele Creek Road. Follow this for 1.7mi and make a right on Nimpkish Road, continuing along it for another 1.9mi. Turn left here, followed by another left in 0.6mi. Continue on for 1148ft and turn right, following the road for another 1.4mi to arrive at the parking area.
About
| When to do | Year-round |
| Backcountry Campsites | No |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Moderate |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Little Huson Caves
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Weather
Little Huson Caves Trail Description
While the hike to the Little Huson Caves is an easy adventure on the northern part of Vancouver Island, the terrain surrounding the caves is fairly rugged and can prove hazardous in some situations. Make sure to wear proper footwear for the best traction along the trail, as the areas in and around the caves can become quite slippery. Additionally, cave ecosystems are sensitive to human interaction, so be respectful of the terrain and keep to the designated trails.
While it may be a short hike, the trek to the Little Huson Caves is a fantastic adventure that will expose you to some epic subterranean scenery. The trail heads through the dense cover of the forest and takes you to a series of karst rock formations along Atluck Creek. From here, hikers can explore the caves that have been created over time by the natural weathering of the rock. This is a truly spectacular adventure that you won’t want to miss if you find yourself already exploring this part of Vancouver Island.
Setting out from the parking area, take some time to read the interpretive sign and learn about the caves before heading west through the forest. Follow the trail as it turns to the north and briefly runs along the rushing water of Atluck Creek. After 722ft of hiking through the atmospheric forest, you will cross over a natural land bridge formed by the flowing water below and come to a junction in the trail. Each path leads to an amazing section of the Little Huson Caves, so take the trail to the right and follow it first down to Fern Cave for a view of the creek flowing underground.
Heading back to the main trail, follow the path to the right to arrive at the River Cave, where you can explore the vast karst caverns that make up this beautiful subterranean landscape. Looking down, you will be able to see the cool water of the creek as it slowly chips away at the rock surfaces below, and above is the land bridge that you walked across to access the caves.
After taking some time to explore the other-worldly environment within the cave system, head back along the same trail to retrace your steps back to the trail where you began your hike, having completed your adventure in the Little Huson Caves.
Insider Hints
Make sure to bring proper hiking footwear, as the area in and around the caves can be slippery.
This is a family-friendly hike, but exploration of the caves will require hikers to traverse some uneven ground that is not suitable for strollers.
Cave ecosystems can be sensitive to human interaction, so please stay on the trails and pack out any trash that you might bring along the hike.
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lcmh 3 years ago
Super easy and fun once you're there. The caves are very pretty and worth the extra little trip in. The gravel roads can get a little confusing so a GPS on the drive in is ideal.