Monday 28 May 2012

The Queen Charlotte Seawalk!


Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

The Queen Charlotte (QC) Seawalk is a ‘must see’ for visitors to Haida Gwaii! This very scenic walk along the oceanside connects the the QC Visitor Centre with the QC Community Centre. It provides a stunning view of Skidegate Inlet and the QC Harbour.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
The Seawalk is perhaps a little over 1km ‘as the crow flies’ however, the walk was designed to wind around viewpoints such as landscaped gardens, the QC docks, a children’s park and the original mill site at the QC Community Hall.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

You might consider bringing a lunch or having a picnic lunch made up for you from Queen B’s Cafe or the Purple Onion Deli. There are a number of places you can relax and enjoy your oceanside picnic. Check out the picnic sites at Spirit Square, the QC Ball Park, the QC Children's Park and by the original QC mill site.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

For now though, we will begin our walk at the QC Visitor Centre parking lot. These brick coloured paving stones mark the seawalk pathway. The walk here winds around the Spirit Square park gardens looking out on Skidegate Inlet.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
Following the seawalk we find ourselves at the QC wharf with a newly constructed dock connecting the fishermen’s wharf with the government dock. Stroll along the new dock checking out the sail boats, fishing boats, and power boats along the way.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

Upon reaching the end of the dock, we walk up to Wharf Street and continue alongside Oceanview Drive overlooking the QC Harbour.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
Low tide for today's pictures!

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

The seawalk paving stones begin again at the landscaped gardens adjoining the QC Ball Park.

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

We follow the pathway looking out over Skidegate Inlet and the QC Harbour.
 
 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

We can see Picnic Island, Maude Island and Lina Island from here.

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

If you look out past the harbour, you might spot the Kwuna ferry making its way across with passengers travelling from BC Ferries to Alliford Bay or back again. 
Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
We continue to wander alongside the beach, past the QC Children’s Park.

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 
 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

We arrive at the original QC mill site. Steps take us down to the beach where we can check out the historic pieces of mill equipment.

 
 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
Returning to the paved path, we walk to the end of the pathway at the QC Community Hall. The public library is also located here.

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish
Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

You may also notice a set of stackwall stairs leading onto the beach. More places to explore at low tide!

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

When visiting the Village of Queen Charlotte, remember the Seawalk! Make it part of your morning or evening ritual - a coffee...a muffin...a quiet walk...an amazing view!
 

Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

 Photo Credit: Bill Beemish

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