Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) is a region on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, defined by its diverse landscape that merges coastal environments with significant mountainous terrain. It features the prominent Buttle Lake, situated within Strathcona Provincial Park, characterized by a U-shaped valley with steep rock walls and glacial deposits. The Oyster Bay area offers unique foreshore vegetation and river access, contributing to a rich natural setting. This blend of accessible community parks and rugged wilderness provides a compelling backdrop for…
55
Routes
4.9
(267)
Average rating
1987
People visited

4.9
(80)
474
hikers
4.40km
01:11
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(14)
149
hikers
4.64km
01:14
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
hikers
19.3km
11:57
1,810m
1,810m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4
hikers
5.09km
01:19
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
24
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
18
riders
19.7km
01:21
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
18.3km
01:15
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
20.6km
01:20
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
19
riders
52.0km
02:16
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
74.2km
03:20
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
10
riders
42.6km
01:48
270m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
85.9km
03:45
480m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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14
runners
8.63km
00:57
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
6.03km
00:43
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
5.94km
00:43
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
8.67km
00:58
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
9.59km
00:54
170m
170m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The region features more than 50 routes across these sports. Visitors have rated routes in this area with an average of 4.78 out of 5 stars.
Buttle Lake, located within Strathcona Provincial Park, is a central feature, spanning approximately 14 miles (23 kilometers) in length. The area is also known for waterfalls like Elk Falls, a 27-meter high waterfall, and the Canyon View Bridge over the Campbell River. Oyster River Nature Park offers wetlands and second-growth forests.
Yes, Area D offers several easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. Examples include the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) Elk Falls via Millennium Trail loop and the 2.9-mile (4.64 km) Canyon View Trail. More options can be found in the Easy hikes around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) guide.
Popular hiking trails include the Elk Falls via Millennium Trail loop and the Canyon View Trail, both offering scenic views. For more challenging experiences, trails like Kings Peak within Strathcona Provincial Park provide extensive mountain panoramas. The Oyster River Trails also offer pleasant walking experiences.
Yes, Area D is suitable for road cycling and touring cycling, with Buttle Lake being a popular area for bicycling. The Rotary Seawalk is also an option for cyclists. Information on routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) and Cycling around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) guides.
Komoot offers several guides for the region, including Hiking around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake), Easy hikes around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake), and Waterfall hikes around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake). Cycling guides like Road Cycling Routes around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) are also available.
Area D provides various trails suitable for jogging and running. The Running Trails around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) guide on komoot lists specific routes. These trails range from easy paths to more challenging routes within natural settings.
Elk Falls is a prominent 89-foot (27-meter) high waterfall in Elk Falls Provincial Park, known for its consistent year-round flow. Other notable waterfalls include the Small Waterfall at the Outlet of Dolphin Lake and Deer Falls. These natural features are accessible via various hiking trails.
Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 7,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in this region have received an average rating of 4.78 out of 5 stars from over 1,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake) is an electoral area within the Strathcona Regional District (SRD). The official website for the SRD is www.srd.ca. The general contact number for the Strathcona Regional District is +1-250-830-6700.
Yes, Area D offers routes suitable for gravel biking enthusiasts. The region's diverse terrain provides options for this activity. A dedicated guide, Gravel biking around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake), is available on komoot.
Area D is special due to its blend of accessible community parks and rugged natural wilderness, including Strathcona Provincial Park. It offers opportunities to observe salmon and eagles, explore diverse plant life, and enjoy both ocean and mountain backdrops. The region is actively developing its parks and trails network.

