The Benson Burn & the Bento Box
Why This Mount Benson Hike (and its Namesake Sushi Roll) Owns My Weekends
By Chris Rigby
It had been a long day, the mid-week burn of working in a busy real estate company had come full circle once more. My mind was already halfway out the door, picturing the evening ahead. It was about time to feed, and I had just ordered my dinner: Umai Sushi, the Bento dinner. Now, one has a choice of two rolls with the bento, and for me, it’s obvious – I always go with the Mt. Benson roll. It’s not just creamy avocado and wild sockeye salmon (though, let’s be honest, that’s a big part of it). It’s because I truly, deeply love hiking up Mt. Benson.
No, I’m not a sadomasochist, while my legs might disagree, to those who don’t hike often, the idea of the Benson grind does sound like, and often feels like, punishing oneself. It’s a relentless upward push until, finally, you meet that unparalleled moment of joy upon summitting. And then there’s always coming down – which, in its own special way, can sometimes feel even worse on the knees!
The trail itself is a character. It starts with a deceptive gentleness, winding through the lower forest, but soon begins its persistent, upward climb. You’ll navigate rooted sections, rocky scrambles, and long, steep inclines that earn Mount Benson its reputation as “Nanaimo’s Grind.” Keep an eye out for the orange trail markers – they’re your steadfast guides through the network of paths, including sections like the Benson View Regional Trail, parts of which have seen recent upgrades (as of early 2025) to create a more sustainable, albeit still challenging, main route. The old, more rugged paths often remain as thrilling alternatives for seasoned Benson hikers.
Aside from the terrain and sweat laden struggle – what’s it really about and why do people actually do it?
Well primarily my dog loves Benson and the views are spectacular but for me it’s all about the experience. Something you share with each passing person either on the way up or down. A moment of camaraderie, a brief conversation at the summit, greetings of the mammalian kind be that with other hikers and their dogs, perhaps it’s a black bear encounter or the feathered visit from a frequenting Whisky Jack attempting to perch upon your outstretched hand.
The point being, through the high-fives and enthusiastic tail wags are exchanges with total strangers who, for that windswept moment, comfortably all share and take in one of the best views Nanaimo has to offer. Under the sun you absorb an unparalleled 360-degree view as your ultimate reward with the Salish Sea and the coastal mountains beyond all gleaming back at you.
Mount Benson is a quintessentially Nanaimo experience. It’s about the fresh, earthy scent of the forest, the unexpected friendships forged in shared exertion, and the sheer joy of being out in nature with your best (furry) friend. It’s the West Coast way – a little bit wild, a little bit weird, and completely wonderful.
