WEST COAST TRAIL GUIDES

Located on the western shores of Vancouver Island is one of the most challenging and scenic hikes in the world. The West Coast Trail in British Columbia, Canada is a 75 kilometer wilderness trail that takes hikers along forested cliff-tops, rocky coastal shelves and secluded sandy beaches. If you choose to hike the West Coast Trail, you’ll experience raw nature and all of its beauty.

The West Coast Trail is the third part of the expansive Pacific Rim National Park. The thin trail winds through a thick temperate rain-forest along the shores of Vancouver Island. You’ll pass ancient trees, rugged cliffs, deep gorges and even remnants of past ship wrecks. The Graveyard of the Pacific is just offshore, which claimed over 60 vessels and was one of the primary reasons for the construction of this life-saving trail.

The hike is physically challenging but also mentally demanding as you’ll be self-sufficient for the entire duration (6-8 days). The hike appeals to thousands of people who enjoy backpacking, camping and those seeking a memorable Canadian adventure in the great outdoors.

You’ll hike by day and camp at night under the canopy of the forest or on a secluded sandy beach (and it gets real dark here). Mornings are cool and foggy while the days can be either stormy with torrential rain or hot and sunny. This trail is internationally renowned in the hiking world for its weather, for the classic Canadian scenery and for the mud.

Along the coastal shelf, you’ll pass caves, arches, waterfalls and tidal pools. In the forest, you’ll hike amongst some of the tallest and oldest trees on the planet. The area is mountainous as you follow the shoreline of the Pacific Coast Mountains.

You’ll traverse split logs with no handrails over ’shallow ravines’ (20 feet down) and walk on weathered boardwalks that seem to go on forever. And you’ll never forget the suspension bridges, cable-cars and ladders over some of the larger gorges and creeks!

Permits Needed

This is a popular trail with die-hard hikers and permits are needed to restrict the amount of damage to this sensitive area of the Pacific Rim National Park. The trail is open from May 1 to September 30. Book your spots early for the summer months when the trail is most popular.

We would recommend hiking the West Coast Trail in September when the weather is usually warm and dry, but still expect to find mud in some parts of the trail. Attempting this hike will reconnect you with nature and may even teach you about some of your physical and mental limits.

Scenic Travel Canada is a website that helps travelers and nature-lovers to discover Canada. There are plenty of Canadian adventures that cater to people of all fitness levels. From hiking in the Rockies to walking the sandy shores in the Maritimes, you’ll be amazed at the beautiful Canadian scenery that awaits.

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