WEST COAST TRAIL

The West Coast Trail is a coastal trail that runs along the Pacific Ocean and reveals its rainforest, beautiful Pachena Point Lighthouse, waterfalls, caves, sea-arches, sea lion-covered rocks and wild beaches for 75 km.

Built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked people along this dangerous coastline, and modeled on routes used by First Nations, it is now part of Pacific Rim National Park. A great challenge for experienced adventurers, some passages can only be crossed with rope bridges, wooden ladders and cable trays (zip lines) and therefore require excellent preparation and physical condition.

Count on 5 to 7 days of hiking, or 3 to 5 days if you go through Nitinat. Only three places give access to the West Coast Trail:

Pachena Bay in the north, near the village of Bamfield. This is traditionally the starting point of the trail. To get there, it takes 2 hours by car on a gravel road from Port Alberni, 3 hours from Duncan. It is also possible to get there by bus from Victoria (5h30) or from Nanaimo (3h30) with the West Coast Trail Express company. For more adventure, you can also go by boat from Port Alberni on the M.V. Frances Barkley (4h30). The ferry does not take cars.

Gordon River to the south, 5 km downstream from the village of Port Renfrew. Closer to Victoria (2 hours by car), this is the most difficult part of the trail and traditionally the finish point. It takes about 2 hours to get there by private vehicle or by West Coast Trail Express bus from Victoria on Highway 14.

Nitinat Passage. This halfway point on the West Coast Trail is accessible via the Native American village of Nitinat, managed by the Ditidaht First Nation, a 2-hour drive from Port Alberni by unpaved road, 2.5 hours from Duncan. A ferry leaves from the village of Nitinat to the trail every day in season at 8:30 am and leaves again at 5:30 pm. The village has a motel and a campground.

Advance reservations are required (reservations open in March for the May-September season) on the website (www.reservation.pc.gc.ca) with the following information: preferred dates and alternative choices, names of hikers, emergency contact, chosen starting point and a means of payment (payment for the night use permit, Pacific Rim National Park pass and ferries on the Gordon River and Nitinat Pass).