West Coast Trail

A 75 km coastal backpacking route on the west side of Vancouver Island, running through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve from Pachena Bay to the Gordon River near Port Renfrew. It began in 1907 as the Dominion Lifesaving Trail, cut along a shoreline that wrecked ships had made known as the Graveyard of the Pacific so survivors could reach help. It crosses Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht territory. [Route details] Start: Pachena Bay trailhead, Bamfield End: Gordon River trailhead, Port Renfrew 75.9 km · north to south · sea level to about 270 m [Along the way] - Tsusiat Falls (24 km) — a waterfall onto the beach - Nitinaht Narrows (33 km) — ferry crossing - Carmanah Point lighthouse (44 km) - Walbran Creek (53 km), Thrasher Cove (70 km) [Good to know] - Parks Canada limits daily entry and requires a permit. The season usually runs May to the end of September, and most walkers take 5 to 7 days. - Ladders, boardwalks and hand-pulled cable cars carry the trail over the creeks. - Beach sections are passable only around the tide. The source marks them as alternatives, and this track follows the main line. - Elevation is sampled from a terrain model, not recorded on the ground.