The Hydro-Line Trail is a very nice trail that takes you down to the lower Nanaimo River. You access this trail from Maki Rd. You follow Maki Rd until you reach the Living Forest Campground. Just before the gates, you will see a large gravel pullout; park here. You then walk up the road, keeping right until you see the sign above. You go around the gate, and you are on your way. On the first part of the trail, you will see plenty of songbirds, and there are at times of year, many types of wildflowers and bushes are in bloom.
After you go down a bit of a hill, you will begin to see lowland bogs. These bogs are dotted with beautiful ponds of various sizes. There are so many types of plants here to feast your eyes on. Everything from high bush cranberries to lily pads. The many types of water birds that you can see here are such a wonder to behold. You can see salamanders, frogs and turtles on the shores.
As you reach the lowland clearings, you have choices as to where you would like to hike. Turn left and you will go down to the edge of the Nanaimo River just at the estuary. You will pass some amazing old industrial stuff that is pretty big, and kinda cool. Then, when you reach the river shore, you will see some sort of pine growing at the edge, it is for some reason called the Africa Tree.
I have searched extensively online as to why it has this name to no avail. If someone out there knows the reason, please let me know in the comment section.
If you head upriver from here where there are many trails, some follow the river shore for some distance while others follow the old road above. The forest you will walk through here is quite pretty and lots of wildlife can be seen. Everything from great blue herons to deer. I never fail to see quail here, the best time for this is just at dusk. There are quite a few trails that go through the area that I have not visited yet. Maybe you will beat me to them.