West Coast Trail
A rugged coastal trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island, 75 km of beaches, ladders and rainforest between Pachena Bay and Gordon River.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Pachena Bay
- Ends in
- Gordon River (Port Renfrew)
- Length
- 75 km
- On foot
- 6–8 days
- Countries
- Canada
- Best months
- May–September
About the trail
The route was originally a lifesaving trail for shipwreck survivors, built after the loss of the SS Valencia in 1906 on a coast known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, and is now a strenuous hike in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It crosses the territories of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations and uses ladders, cable cars and suspension bridges over the gullies and rivers. Hikers must reserve and attend an orientation, and the trail is open only from 1 May to 30 September.