Directions: Ten minutes west of Parksville in the small town of Errington, is the home of a popular and magnificent set of waterfalls. These falls are easily accessible by all skill levels. The trail head is located at the dead end of Errington Road, head straight through the campground past the large wooden signs and campsites. At the end of this road is a maintained parking lot with BC Park signs and washrooms.
The utilities are clean and maintained often. This is an easy to access provincial park with picnic areas, flush toilets, running water and a campground, it can be quite busy. That being said the park is best visited during mornings and evenings, where it can still be found quiet and peaceful within all seasons.
Trail: This hike is an easy hike for all skill levels, including those in wheel chairs. From the trailhead to the falls the total hike is around half a kilometer there and back. This being a short hike to a such a serene and powerful waterfall also makes it a great way to spend time grounding yourself before starting your day (these pictures were shot on an early fall morning).
The trail is a straight shot with no real gain in elevation or difficult terrain. The trail is mostly chipped gravel and flat ground, although well maintained and travelled, the trail sits in a very natural looking mixed second and old growth rainforest.
More Information: Although the river was originally dubbed Rio De Grullas or River of Cranes by Spanish Cartographers, the river has been known as Englishman River since at least 1883 according to “British Columbia Place Names” a book published by UBC. The story goes the remains of a European man who seemed to had been attempting to cross the river had been found near the falls by a group of Coast Salish people. Word of this spread and the river was soon known as the Englishman River.
Vanislewaterfalls 