West Coast Trail (WCT)

The West Coast Trail (WCT) is a multi-day, long-haul, rough and tough, backpacking adventure located in the Pacific Rim National Park near the communities of Bamfield and Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

During the early navigation of the Vancouver Island coastline many cargo ships and explorer vessels would fall victim to the fierce storms and jagged reefs off the west coast. The survivors from those shipwrecks would swim to shore and then follow the coastline to civilization. The challenging 74 kilometre backpacking trail follows the same footsteps of those shipwreck mariners.

The west coast of Vancouver Island is referred to as the "Graveyard of the Pacific". In 1906 , the steamer "Valencia" went down off the coast and 133 lives were lost. The Pachena Lighthouse was built soon later to warn off ships of the dangerous reefs.

Later came the "The Dominion Life Saving Trail" which included a telegraph line and some patrol cabins for shipwreck survivors to use. "The Dominion Life Saving Trail" is now the West Coast Trail. It is one of toughest backpacking trails in Canada. In 1973 the West Coast Trail became part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The West Coast Trail is a 4 to 10 day backpacking adventure through a thick, lush rainforest involving many nights of wilderness camping. Backpackers can begin from the southern trailhead near the Village of Port Renfrew or the northern trailhead near the Village of Bamfield. It is a trail for the strong willed, healthy bodied, experienced, well prepared backpacker who adheres to low impact wilderness camping rules. The time to complete the trail depends on your group's fitness levels.

There are wilderness camping sites located along the trail. Some are better than others. Backpackers can only camp at designated sites so plan wisely. Located at the campsites are food caches, fire pits and pit toilets. If you are lucky there will be some driftwood log barriers left behind from some of the previous backpackers so to protect your campsite from the winds.

The WCT includes hiking through mud. Sometimes more mud than expected. If that is not enough, one long section of trail has an endless supply of ladders. There are cable cars not always working so you may have to wade across a river. Believe us when we say, (6 time survivors of the WCT) the weather is unpredictable, the conditions change quickly and the scenery is always photographic.

Some of the highlight destinations on the West Coast Trail include the Pachena Lighthouse; Tsocowis Creek Waterfall and swinging bridge (good camping in the middle); Tsusiat Falls (shower under the falls) and the views of Carmanah Point. There are deep coastline caves, towering sandstone cliffs, massive boulders, rock outcroppings, marine life, tidal pools, sunsets, sandy beaches, surge channels, log bridges and rope bridges.

The West Coast Trail weather is unpredictable and takes a tough toll on the trail - hence maintenance is always ongoing. Conditions of the West Coast Trail are not always perfect. There are times when the boardwalk trail and bridges will be washed out, cable cars not functioning and trees toppled over by storms blocking the trail.

This part of the country receives over 120 inches of rain a year. The weather conditions change quickly and are very unpredictable. Storms move in quick sometimes surprising backpackers. Even in May and June the weather is not guaranteed. you can expect ocean mists and morning fog in July and August keeping equipment moist and if ill prepared, very uncomfortable.

The West Coast Trail is open from May 1st to September 30th and requires a WCT Park Permit. The shoulder season is between May 1 to June 14th and September 16th to 30th. The peak season is between June 15th to September 15th. All trips require a reservation.

In the peak season on the West Coast Trail one can show up without a reservation. But expect to be sent to a nearby beach where you will wait till there is a cancellation. Be prepared to wait for an opening on the trail for up to 2-5 days.

Be aware of wildlife on the trail. Wildlife includes black bears, wolves, cougars and many different varieties of marine birds.

All visitors to the park must have a Park Use Permit. Pack out what you pack in.

How to get to the West Coast Trail (WCT)

The southern West Coast Trail trailhead starting point is 5 kilometres north of Port Renfrew at Gordon River. The northern West Coast Trail trailhead starting point is at Pachena Bay, just 5 kilometres south of Bamfield. The starting point from Bamfield is an easier start as it leads into the more difficult Port Renfrew end of the West Coast Trail.