Lantzville Foothills
The Lantzville Foothills are a beautiful handful of rocky bumps ("mountains" to those from flatter regions) that rise above forests of arbutus and cedar and fir. They are capped by more of this exotic-looking combination of tree styles, as well as with sub-sub-alpine ponds of clear water ringed by moss and mushrooms. The Lantzville Foothills are absolutely stunning, at the top (see "Lantzville Foothills Development" at bottom of page).
Directions to Lantzville Foothills
From the Island Highway north of town, turn west onto Ware Road (the second light past Woodgrove Centre). Stay on this road heading straight west, and you willl see a small mountain in front of you. Park near it! Avoiding the private residence to the west, follow the logging road around to the east, around the base of the hill. Then you're on your own. Try to climb at least two of the hills.
Lantzville Foothills Development
Once, the Lantzville Foothills offered a nice little hike from the base, through second or third growth forest and a lot of salal. You could climb all of the peaks in a couple of loops, without leaving the woods.
But around 2002, most of the area (minus the ridge-tops) was clearcut. It was a very controversial development - that is, a significant population in Lantzville was adamantly against it.
The land is now in the hands of a different owner, who apparently is sensitive to a more balanced layout for the place. Thousands of trees are being replanted, and the logging by-product is being chipped in an effort to re-use it. I think that residential development is still in the works, though. I just hope that citizens won't be denied access to the ridge-tops. They are too beautiful for a few people to own.