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West Coast Trail
Brief Description:
The West Coast Trail is an internationally renowned 75 km (47 mi) historic backpacking route along sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, sea arches, sea stacks and beaches that compose the stunning coastline of south western Vancouver Island.
Trail Access:
The trail can be accessed from Pachena Bay (five km south of Bamfield) or Gordon River (five km north of Port Renfrew).
Detailed Trail Information
| Duration | Distance | Level of Difficulty |
| 5-7 days | 75 km | Very difficult |
This rugged 75 km (47 mile) hike is not for everyone. Hikers' fitness, knowledge and skills must meet the challenges of the area. A limited number of facilities are offered along the West Coast Trail.
Anyone planning on hiking the entire trail must be prepared for five to seven days in the backcountry, rugged, uneven ground and slippery conditions on muddy trails, wooden surfaces, boulders and rocky shorelines. It will be necessary to wade rivers, negotiate steep slopes, climb ladders, use cable cars and follow an irregular trail.
Rainfall averages 300 cm (120 in) per year with heavy rainfall possible at any time. Floodwaters can delay hikers for days. Fog is common, especially in July and August. The average summer temperature is 14° Celsius (57° F).
The West Coast Trail is for hikers who are able to walk long distances through rough terrain with a heavy pack, prepared to have an isolated wilderness experience and willing to adhere to low impact back country camping policies. The trail should not be considered by children under twelve, hikers with little experience in multi-day backpacking trips, or those with little stamina or recurring knee, back or ankle injuries. Although an average of 70 to 100 hikers are evacuated in a given year, it may take 24 hours or more before help arrives if an accident occurs.
Facilities on the trail include boardwalk, ladders, bridges, cable cars, and outhouses at the most commonly used camping areas. There are no huts for hikers on the West Coast Trail.
All people using the West Coast Trail must obtain a Park Use Permit. A quota system limiting the number of WCT Overnight Use Permits was implemented by Parks Canada to reduce overcrowding and ecological degradation.
Trail Information Courtesy Of: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada
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