Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Mount Norman Thanks to a generous relative with a cabin, I spend a good bit of time on Pender Island. I’m usually indolent and overfed on these trips, but when I want to climb out of my torpor, I head to Mount Norman. Starting from Ainslie Point Road, it’s a short (1.25-kilometre) but steep hike to the viewing platform. The trail itself, an old logging road, is not terribly inspiring, but it leads to spectacular southwest views of Bedwell Harbour and the outlying islands.—