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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Dry
- Very Dry
LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
Trail Report Status
- Access Road/Trail
- White
- Green
- Blue
- Black
- Double Black Diamond
Trail Report Status
- Clear / Green
- Minor Issue / Yellow
- Significant Issue / Amber
- Closed or Major Issue / Red
- Land Owner Overlay
- Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
- BLM (public)
- USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
- State land
- Indigenous
- Military
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Dry
- Very Dry
- Map Markers
Trail Head
Photo
Directory Listing
Riding Area
TTF
Parking
Viewpoint
Information
Warning
Directions
Water Fountain/Source
Sight
Restrooms
Gate
Camping
Trail Sign
Table or Bench
Other
Extension Ridge is an XC trail network between Harewood and Extension, in the south of Nanaimo. The area is primarily singletrack on rock that runs north to south on successive parallel ridges with connecting trails between ridges. It has seen significant logging activity in recent years, but still has many beautiful spots worth visiting, including the locally famous "Abyss", an earthquake fissure that you wouldn't want to fall into.
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
google parking directions Access Info:
There is a trailhead on the north end of the network up Harewood Mines Road a little ways past the highway overpass and another on Extension Road to the south.
North entrance: When you reach some cement barriers on your left park and ride up beside the steps on the right a little ways down the logging road. Keep right until you see a sign for the Trans Canada Trail. This is the start of the Abyss.
South entrance: Following Extension Road west you will pass Cinnabar Drive to your left. Continue 500m along Extension Road until you see a gate on your right. Park along the road by gate and head along gravel road west to enter Hootenanny or north under the powerlines to enter Potsticker.
North entrance: When you reach some cement barriers on your left park and ride up beside the steps on the right a little ways down the logging road. Keep right until you see a sign for the Trans Canada Trail. This is the start of the Abyss.
South entrance: Following Extension Road west you will pass Cinnabar Drive to your left. Continue 500m along Extension Road until you see a gate on your right. Park along the road by gate and head along gravel road west to enter Hootenanny or north under the powerlines to enter Potsticker.
Links
Files
- abys trail map.pdf (507 KB)
Region Details
- 19
- 4
- 35
- 2
Open on 2 days
Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Global Ranking
- #350
- State Ranking
- #74
- Trails
- 60
- Total Distance
- 40 miles
- Total Descent Distance
- 18 miles
- Total Descent
- 5,539 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 982 ft
- Total Vertical
- 829 ft
- Reports
- 586
- Photos
- 186
- Ridden Counter
- 2,843
Popular The Abyss / Extension Ridge Trails
| status | title | difficulty | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Abyss | |||
| Humble Ninja | |||
| Connector | |||
| a connector trail | |||
| Keiths | |||
| Extension secondary road | |||
| Nookie | |||
| Sticks and Stones | |||
| Secret Ninja | |||
| Honey Brown | |||
| Never Stop | |||
| McKeown Spur 1a |
Recent Trail Reports
| trail | date | user | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniversary | Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:49am 2 days | socanadian | ||
| Fu Manchu | Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:11am 2 days | socanadian | ||
| Easy Peasy | Sep 24, 2018 @ 9:58am 2 days | socanadian | ||
| Road | Sep 9, 2018 @ 4:55pm Sep 9, 2018 | stickboy NMBC | ||
| Road | Sep 9, 2018 @ 4:55pm Sep 9, 2018 | stickboy NMBC |
Current Trail Warnings
Photos of The Abyss / Extension Ridge Mountain Bike
trail: Fu Manchu
3 | Fu Manchu, Nanaimo
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:06am
2 days
trail: Fu Manchu
3 | Fu Manchu, Nanaimo
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:06am
2 days
trail: Fu Manchu
4 | Fu Manchu, Nanaimo
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:05am
2 days
trail: Fu Manchu
4 | Fu Manchu, Nanaimo
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:05am
2 daysVideos of The Abyss / Extension Ridge Mountain Bike
trail: The Abyss
4:05 |
493 |
Mar 14, 2016
trail: Bottlerocket
2:51 |
1938 |
Mar 6, 2012
trail: Tree Farm
4:30 |
221 |
Feb 5, 2012
trail: Inside Out
2:12 |
26 |
Oct 19, 2011
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | trail | Coming up Humility heading north there was no... | Jul 12, 2018 @ 2:44pm Jul 12, 2018 | ||
 | trail | This is still my all-time favorite trail.... | Jun 15, 2018 @ 11:16am Jun 15, 2018 | ||
 | trail | The flowers are out now, very scenic | May 11, 2018 @ 9:07pm May 11, 2018 | ||
| trail | Just stay on the abyss | May 11, 2018 @ 9:06pm May 11, 2018 | ||
 | trail | Just wondering if this is appropriate for... | Mar 23, 2018 @ 9:34am Mar 23, 2018 |
Recent Activity
| username | action | type | title | date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanwylie | add | ridelog | Sep 25, 2018 ride log | Sep 25, 2018 @ 8:20pm 12 hours |
| sdesjardines | add | ridelog | Sep 24, 2018 ride log | Sep 24, 2018 @ 5:56pm 2 days |
 | socanadian | add | photo | in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada and 4 more | Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:05am 2 days |
| socanadian | add | report | Easy Peasy and 2 more | Sep 24, 2018 @ 9:58am 2 days |
 | stickboy | update | trail | Fu Manchu | Sep 24, 2018 @ 9:32am 2 days |
Nearby Riding Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Runner | 5 | 37 | 1.6 km | ||
| South Benson | 3 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 2.5 km |
| Westwood | 2 | 42 | 9 | 2 | 3.7 km |
| The Bay | 6.4 km | ||||
| Linley Valley | 1 | 3 | 7.4 km |
Local Mountain Bike Directory
-
Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club
![Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club]()
-
Coal City Cycles
![Coal City Cycles]()
-
Hub City Cycles Community Co-operative
![Hub City Cycles Community Co-operative]()
-
Rock City CyclesBike Shop
-
Arrowsmith BikesBike Shop
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Pacific Rim BicycleBike Shop
view full directory »
- By canadaka Plus & contributors
- Admins: NMBC
- #1354 - 12,669 views
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