Trip 339 - June 6, 2026 (Saturday).

Chinese Mountain & Beech's Mountain Hike

Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada.

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Trailhead Location: Off Hyacinthe Bay Rd, 2.9 km before Granite Bay Rd (if driving from Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal), Western Quadra Island, which itself is located off Vancouver Island, across from Campbell River, via a 10 minute ferry ride.

Liked: An impressive panoramic view from the top of both mountains, shade in the forest, several fine forest scenes, moss-covered stones (Beech's Trail), no bugs, it is possible to hike a loop trail (visiting Chinese and Beech's mountains in succession before returning to parking lot).

Of note: Uneven ground, rocks and roots, unbarricaded drop-offs at some viewpoints, several steep slippery sections, hiking poles and boots are highly recommended. Overnight parking is not allowed at the parking lot, or along the access road.

Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) trailhead location: Page 42 (Campbell River) F4.

Other British Columbia Islands We Have Visited: Bowen Island, Galiano Island, Gambier Island, Mayne Island, Newcastle Island, Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Sidney Island, Texada Island.

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Two-peaked Chinese Mountain, and Beech's Mountain are neighbours located on Quadra Island, BC. Pleasant, if unremarkable, trails lead to the tops of these mountains, and it is possible to hike a loop trail, visiting both mountains in succession. The views from the tops of Chinese, and, especially, the top of Beech's Mountain are panoramic and impressive, the best we have seen on Quadra Island.

We started with hiking the Chinese Mountain Trail. At 700 meters, there is a split to the north and south peaks. Go to the north peak first, if you want to hike a loop trail. From this junction, it is 600 meters to the north peak, and 800 meters to the south peak. After returning to the junction and proceeding to the south peak, we headed to Beech's Mountain, the top of which is 1.7 km away from the south peak of Chinese Mountain. After that, completed the loop and returned to the parking lot by hiking for another 3 km.

Thus, it was a total distance of about 7.5 km, with lots of ups and downs. There are no overly steep sections, and this is overall a moderately difficult hike.

* All trail distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

Here is Our Video of Driving on Chinese Mtn / Beech's Mtn Trail Access Road.

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

1. Here is a Google Maps location of Chinese Mountain and Beech's Mountain on Quadra Island, BC.

2-3. We are on Hyacinthe Bay Road on Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada. Chinese Mountain / Beech's Mountain access road starts on the left side (if driving from Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal - about 15 minutes via Heriot Bay Rd, West Rd and Hyacinthe Bay Rd).

4. Access road begins. It is suitable for all vehicles, but parking area is too small for anything larger than a class B RV.

5. 300 meters from Hyacinthe Bay Road.

6. At 500 meters. The parking lot is seen ahead. There are a few small pullouts along the access road, including two right at the beginning.

7. Here is a parking lot for Beech's Mountain and Chinese Mountain Trails. Good for 6-7 vehicles. A porta-potty is available. Overnight camping not permitted.

8. Here is a map of these and nearby trails, posted by the parking lot. We have indicated the parking lot with a red square. And our route is shown as follows: we first visited Chinese Mtn North Peak, then its South Peak, and then Beech's Mountain Peak before returning back to the parking lot by completing a loop.

9. The trailhead for Chinese Mtn and Beech's Mtn. Coordinates: N 50⁰08.461' W 125⁰15.498'. Elevation: 120 meters. If you want to visit Beech's Mtn first (or only hike to that mountain), or want to hike Chinese Mountain South Peak and then North Peak, take a trail to the left. Otherwise, go straight (which is what we did). There are some climbing opportunities if you go to the left, and a sign asks hikers to be mindful of potential climbers below them.

10.Signs for trails to the left.

11. Signs for trails straight ahead.

12. As mentioned, we went straight first, and here is the beginning of the Chinese Mountain Trail.

13. A neat small bridge 65 meters into the hike.

14. Chinese Mountain Trail on Quadra Island, BC - 550 meters from the trailhead. The first 700 meters is a pretty good climb of 18% on average.

15-16. At 700 meters, we have reached a junction where going straight leads to Chinese Mtn North Peak in 600 meters, and going left leads to the South peak and (eventually) Beech's Mountain. Coordinates: N 50⁰08.672' W 125⁰15.673'. Elevation: 250 meters.

17. At the 930 meter mark. It's a pleasant trail, with a steady elevation gain.

18. Chinese Mountain North Peak Trail 70 meters later.

19. At 1.03 km.

20. A short steep section at 1.15 km.

21-22. There are actually two viewpoints on Chinese Mountain North Peak, the first being much better. Here is a sign at 1.20 km indicating a way to the first viewpoint. Coordinates: N 50⁰08.756' W 125⁰15.674'. Elevation: 320 meters.

23. The first viewpoint is 130 meters away. Here we are 20 meters from the sign.

24. 40 meters later.

25. At 100 meters past the sign, we are almost there.

26-29. And here it is, the first viewpoint of Chinese Mountain North Peak. Left to right.

30-31. We then returned to the sign seen in photos #21-22, and proceeded to the second viewpoint of Chinese Mountain North Peak. It's only 100 meters away, and is not as good as the first one due to obstruction by the trees. Plain and zoomed views.