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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
- 20
- 3
- 36
- 2
Open on Dec 6, 2018
Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Global Ranking
- #340
- State Ranking
- #71
- Trails (view details)
- 61
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 61
- Trails E-Bike
- 2
- Trails Hike
- 61
- Trails Trail Running
- 61
- Total Distance
- 40 miles
- Total Descent Distance
- 18 miles
- Total Descent
- 5,650 ft
- Total Vertical
- 829 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 982 ft
- Reports
- 684
- Photos
- 190
- Ridden Counter
- 3,216
Popular The Abyss / Extension Ridge Trails
| status | title | difficulty | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Abyss | |||
| Humble Ninja | |||
| a connector trail | |||
| Keiths | |||
| Connector | |||
| Extension secondary road | |||
| Nookie | |||
| Secret Ninja | |||
| Sticks and Stones | |||
| Honey Brown | |||
| Never Stop | |||
| McKeown Spur 1a |
Recent Trail Reports
| trail | date | user | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humble Ninja | Dec 6, 2018 @ 8:37pm Dec 6, 2018 | larrinski | ||
| Nookie | Dec 6, 2018 @ 8:37pm Dec 6, 2018 | larrinski | ||
| Sticks and Stones | Dec 6, 2018 @ 8:37pm Dec 6, 2018 | larrinski | ||
| Honey Brown | Dec 6, 2018 @ 8:37pm Dec 6, 2018 | larrinski | ||
| Out N About | Dec 6, 2018 @ 8:37pm Dec 6, 2018 | larrinski |
Current Trail Warnings
| trail | date | info | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Ninja | Oct 12, 2018 @ 8:35pm Oct 12, 2018 |
Photos of The Abyss / Extension Ridge Mountain Bike
trail: Creeper
6 | Creeper, My City
Dec 9, 2018 @ 7:50pm
17 hours
trail: Creeper
6 | Creeper, My City
Dec 9, 2018 @ 7:50pm
17 hours
trail: Creeper
6 | Creeper, My City
Dec 9, 2018 @ 7:50pm
17 hours
trail: Fu Manchu
19 | Fu Manchu, Nanaimo
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:06am
Sep 24, 2018Videos of The Abyss / Extension Ridge Mountain Bike
trail: The Abyss
4:05 |
521 |
Mar 14, 2016
trail: Bottlerocket
2:51 |
1941 |
Mar 6, 2012
trail: Tree Farm
4:30 |
227 |
Feb 5, 2012
trail: Inside Out
2:12 |
26 |
Oct 19, 2011
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 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 | ||
 | trail | Hootenanny is still there and rideable. I... | Jan 7, 2018 @ 8:45pm Jan 7, 2018 |
Recent Activity
| username | action | type | title | date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jcolly | add | ridelog | Dec 10, 2018 ride log | Dec 10, 2018 @ 10:45am 2 hours |
| FreshKat | add | photo | in My City and 2 more | Dec 9, 2018 @ 7:50pm 17 hours |
| pmaddock | add | ridelog | Dec 9, 2018 ride log | Dec 9, 2018 @ 3:55pm 21 hours |
| Carolclease | add | ridelog | Dec 9, 2018 ride log | Dec 9, 2018 @ 2:55pm 22 hours |
 | jacko | add | ridelog | Dec 7, 2018 ride log | Dec 7, 2018 @ 1:30pm 3 days |
Nearby Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Runner | 3 | 40 | 1.6 km | ||
| South Benson | 3 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 2.5 km |
| Westwood | 2 | 41 | 9 | 2 | 3.7 km |
| The Bay | 6.4 km | ||||
| Linley Valley | 5 | 8 | 7.4 km |
Local Mountain Bike Directory
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Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club
![Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club]()
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Coal City Cycles
![Coal City Cycles]()
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Hub City Cycles Community Co-operative
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Rock City CyclesBike Shop
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Pacific Rim BicycleBike Shop
view full directory »
- By canadaka TFADMIN Plus & contributors
- Admins: NMBC
- #1354 - 13,074 views
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