Hiking the west coast trail, british columbia canada trails. The parks canada website isnt full of practical information, so in this blog and in the upcoming ones, i will try to fill in the blanks. Pacific rim national park reserve west coast trail map when they register on the trail. Pachena bay bamfield, gordon river port renfrew and nitinat village. The west coast trail is located on the west side of vancouver island in the pacific rim national park reserve. Jul 28, 2016 restful stay after arduous west coast trail located in the hub of bamfield, at the four way stop, we were in easy walking distance of the general store, pub, and restaurants. This will be post 1 of 7 in my west coast trail blog series. This 25,640 hectare strip of the pacific rim encompasses the section of coast southeast of barkley sound, between the villages of bamfield and port renfrew. Bamfield is located on the west coast of vancouver island in the heart of the pacific rim park. West coast trail transportation bamfield bound see her. Every may through september, hikers from all over to globe migrate to the remote beaches of western vancouver island, british columbia, to hike this trail and see its wonders. West coast trail is in limbo land because of covid19.
It consists of rough trails in the forest, boardwalk sections, ladders in and out of deep gorges, and coastal walking on sand, gravel, boulders and smooth sandstone shelf. Toll free number 18449287433 1844wctride cell 250 710 4679. It is now part of the pacific rim national park and is often rated by. West coast shuttle bus to the west coast trail vancouver bc. Soaring with the eagles on canadas west coast trail al brawn. If you are hiking the whole trail from one end to the other you will have to pay the west coast trail overnight use fee. They also pick up and drop off in victoria, nanaimo, sooke, and lake cowichan.
West coast trail wct vancouver island british columbia. But i am a deadly combo of frugal and stubborn, hate paying more than i think i should and normally fall on the side of complication as opposed to ease. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the coast, part of the treacherous graveyard of the pacific. The west coast trail unit was formerly established as a component of the pacific rim national park in 1993. The west coast trail bus picks up and drops off passengers at victoria, sooke, port renfrew, gordon river, mesachie lake, honeymoon bay, nanaimo, nitinaht, pachena bay, and bamfield. Aug 29, 2019 the west coast trail express is a private shuttle bus company that provides scheduled bus services to all the west coast trail starting and ending points including port renfrew, gordon river, nitinaht village, pachena bay, and bamfield. Your guide to the west coast trail in british columbia.
West coast trail north to south british columbia, canada alltrails. The west coast trail between port renfrew and bamfield on vancouver island travels through one of the most beautiful coastal and rainforest areas in north america. Restful stay after arduous west coast trail located in the hub of bamfield, at the four way stop, we were in easy walking distance of the general store, pub, and restaurants. West coast trail north to south british columbia, canada.
The west coast trail, originally called the dominion lifesaving trail, is a 75 km 47 mi backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of vancouver island in british columbia, canada. A passenger ferry service may also be an option between bamfield and port renfrew see the. Les deux extremites sont les uniques points d entree. Its secluded location draws international visitors and hikers to the area for its beauty, but its secluded location also makes it challenging to get to. Each year, thousands of trekkers tackle the 75km west coast trail between bamfield and port renfrew on vancouver island of these trekkers, hundreds come from other countries. West coast trail is in limbo land because of covid19 back to video in midmarch, parks canada suspended visitor services in all national parks, including the pacific rim national park reserve. Alberni marine transport 25072383 port alberni bamfield passenger ferry. The longest trail in bamfield is the west coast trail a wellknown trail measuring 47 miles in total length. The west coast trail or wct for short it is now one of canadas most popular recreational backpacking trail which challenges a person physically and mentally. West coast trail express bus 18889992288 victoria, nanaimo, port alberni, bamfield, nitinat village, port renfrew butch jack hiker ferry service 250 6475517 gordon river trailhead nitinat lake water taxi 250 7453509 across nitinat narrows and to nitinat village fees and expenses. Situated at the midpoint of the world famous hiking trail in pacific rim national park, west coast trail comfort camping offers ecofriendly rustic luxury to hikers in need of a nights rest, as well as outdoor adventurers visiting via nitinaht lake. This picturesque village lies at the northern end of the 80 km world famous hiking experience called the west coast trail, and just across barkley sound from the kayakers paradise, the broken group islands. We left our car at the hotel, and caught the west coast express bus at 8.
Hikers with reservations will be issued a waterproof pacific rim national park reserve west coast trail map when they register on the trail. It was a long but scenic ride on paved roads to port renfrew and then bumpy, gravel logging roads to bamfield. Provide a brief history of the west coast trail and its place in canadas history. The campsite is located at kilometre 30 of the west coast trail, which is a 30 km hike from the north trailhead at pachena beach, and a 45 km hike and ferry from the south trailhead at gordon river. If you to decide to go hike the west coast trail then you can download my free guide with itineraries for 6, 7 and 8 days. The west coast trail is a thruhike, so arranging your transportation to and from the entry and exit points must be carefully planned in advance. Sep 09, 2019 main lodge 6 bdrms 4 wensuite 7 bthrms. In this post, i will discuss what the west coast trail is, as a general guide. My friend, julianne and i caught the west coast trail bus at 6. The west coast trail is a 5 to 7 day backpacking route that winds through temperate rainforests along beaches, cliffs and sandstone. Find walking maps and guidebooks, self guided walking holidays and hiking tours.
The west coast trail express is a private shuttle bus company that provides scheduled bus services to all the west coast trail starting and ending points including port renfrew, gordon river, nitinaht village, pachena bay, and bamfield. After completing the west coast trail we spontaneously decided to stay in beautiful bamfield for 2 nights. In the hostile weather months the west coast trail is closed due to prolonged periods of heavy rain, strong winds, high tides, large waves and short days. Bamfield has 3 trails in the vicinity, including 2 hiking trails, 1 for sea kayaking and 1 for other activities. Victoria to pachena baybamfield shuttle bus west coast trail. The west coast trail is a 75km long hike between the vancouver island communities of bamfield and port renfrew, bc. Instead of 60 hiking permits day, were now allowed up to 75 day. I have done quite a bit in my time, but this is definitely one of the most difficult i have. The west coast trail closes to the public october 1st to april 30th. Park in front of saint andrews presbyterian church, corner of douglas and broughton, 2 blocks north from the bus stop. One of the locals suggested west coast magic as a bnb and called up the owner right away. Hiking the west coast trail on vancouver island outdoor vancouver.
If you call afterhours, it should be for an emergency only. Victoria to pachena baybamfield shuttle bus west coast. The complete guide to hike the west coast trail canada. We stayed overnight at the west coast trail hotel, which has the nicest pillows imaginable, and ate at the port renfrew pub, which has the nicest beer imaginable. The southern trailhead is located near the village of port renfrew, bc and the northern access point is located near the village of bamfield, bc, canada. West coast trail fees are fairly expensive, however most of the fees go into maintaining the trail and rescue services. Also, take the water taxi back instead of the shuttle, its of. Stretching for 75 kilometers 50 miles through pristine temperate rain forest and beaches, the west coast trail is easily one of, if not the, premier longdistance beach hikes in the world. West coast trail transportation bamfield bound see her travel. Bed and breakfast west coast magic bnb, bamfield, canada. It is somewhat water resistant, but we recommend you put it in a waterproof ziploc bag. Our room was newly and tastefully redecorated, with all new accoutrements. The 75 kilometer 47 miles trail is part of pacific rim national park reserve map of area.
This will be post 1 of 7 in my west coast trail blog series the parks canada website isnt full of practical information, so in this blog and in the upcoming ones, i will try to fill in the blanks i will also be telling the story from a first timer. Maps of the west coast trail map of campsites on the west coast trail location map of the west coast trail. The 2018 west coast trail season will end on september 15th. In case of earthquake, go to high ground or inland presents. Oct 21, 2019 the west coast trail starts at the gordon river trailhead outside port renfrew on its southern end stretching north for 75km to the town of bamfield. Every hiker gets the free canmap west coast trail 1. Before starting your trip between port alberni and bamfield on your way to work or to the west coast trail head, its important to plan ahead. World north america pacific nw canada west coast trail the best hike in the world is the west coast trail. The western trailhead is near bamfield, 190 km northwest of victoria. The west coast trail on vancouver island is an internationally acclaimed hiking trail that retraces an old telegraph route that once connected victoria with cape beale near bamfield.
The west coast trail wct is one of the three units. Go with a positive mental attitude and youll have a great time. Introduction to the west coast trail in british columbia. Port renfrew gordon river bamfield pachena bay, 75 km 47 mile, 7 days. The telegraph line was first carved through the virgin coastal wilderness in 1890, to serve as a communication link to aid in the rescue of vessels in distress off. For west coast trail trips we pick and drop people off at the registration office at either end of the west coast trail only. West coast trail 2016 port renfrew to bamfield youtube.
Pacific rim national park reserve of canada west coast trail preparation guide 2019. The world renown multiday backpacking trail is a challenge for even the most seasoned hikers and brings over 7,500 backpackers from around the world to the beautiful traditional territory our people, the huuayaht as well as the ditidaht and pacheedaht nations. This is either mailed or handed to you at orientation. When cancelling a reservation 21 days or more prior to the departure date, the west coast trail overnight use fee and the ferry fees are fully refundable.
The west coast trail is one of the most popular trails in canada. Bring your reservation confirmation information to the orientation. The trail was originally created in 1907 to assist in the rescue of shipwrecked passengers and crews who ran aground. Along, the trail, we saw lots of marine life, including seals, whales, and rich tidal pools. West coast trail getting tofrom the trailhead lost. Well, you can take that west coast express bus, the website can tell you more. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and backpacking. The west coast trail starts at the gordon river trailhead outside port renfrew on its southern end stretching north for 75km to the town of bamfield. Western forest products cares about your safety and we want you to be prepared if you drive on the logging roads we manage. A passenger ferry service may also be an option between bamfield and port renfrew see the parks website for links to the service providers.
West coast trail british columbia travel and adventure. The west coast trail travels the west coast of southern vancouver island between the towns of port renfrew and bamfield. We hiked south to north, starting at gordon river port renfrew and ending in bamfield. When you are here, you are in one of canadas special placespacific rim national park reserve, protected as a treasured piece of canadas pacific coast. Getting to west coast comfort camping via the west coast trail. In 2014 a new access point was opened, nitinat narrows.
Exiting or entering via nitinat make shorter wct adventures possible. Refer to the map and telephone numbers provided on. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from may until september. What you need to know to hike the west coast trail hike. West coast trail south to north british columbia, canada. Park reserve status will remain in effect pending the completion of treaty negotiations with the nuuchahnulth tribal council and the. We are so greatful for this, as we straight away fell in love with the bnb and its location. The terminal is the capital city bus station at 721 douglas st. Its an amazing trail that requires attention to detail, training, and the right gear.
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