Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Mt Benson looms over Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Though folks make this climb year round, I waited for great weather in May. 😇
Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.
There are several routes to the summit, but quickest and most straightforward begins at Witchcraft Lake.
Knowing that the summit is busy on a nice day, I camped on Crown Land the night before. Was first starting up the trail in the morning.
I used AllTrails for navigation and only managed to detour on to a side trail one time. 😀
It’s a steady climb. Interesting terrain with a number of viewpoints on the way up.
From the summit most cameras take in the panorama over Nanaimo. Here’s the OTHER vista — looking inland.
Watch a LIVE STREAM of the Benson summit on YouTube.
related trip report – sea2peak
- 8km round trip
- 730 meter elevation gain
- 3-5 hours
- difficult
- dogs allowed on leash
besthike.com 
Can you tell me or drop a pin where on Crown Land you parked for the Mt Benson hike? The link takes me to Ontario…
Sorry for that, Lynne. I added this link with a map to Witchcraft Lake trailhead. … https://www.rdn.bc.ca/witchcraft-lake-regional-trail
Hi there Rick. Where did you camp on Crown land?
“Knowing that the summit is busy on a nice day, I camped on Crown Land the night before. Was first starting up the trail in the morning”.”
Wasn’t aware we had any crown land south of Campbell River! Do tell!
Thanks!
Oops. I may have camped illegally. I believe I was on a “Crown woodlot managed by Vancouver Island University” — but now doubt that has the same rules. … https://www.rdn.bc.ca/witchcraft-lake-regional-trail