Visitors who currently have a reservation on the west coast trail do not need to cancel their reservation until further decisions are made. Another easy solution is to place the map in a large ziplock bag. The trail is unsafe to hike the remainder of the year due to heavy storms. 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. West coast trail graveyard of the pacific backpacking sea.
The west coast trail is an old life saving trail that used to be used to rescue people from shipwrecks along the rugged west coast of vancouver island. West coast trail british columbia travel and adventure. We are home to the new parks canada third entrance to the west coast trail. 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. Those who are well prepared physically, mentally, and equipmentwise, come away with tales. At both gordon river and nitinat river the ferry fee.
Approximately 1 in every 100 people who attempt the west coast trail are removed by rescue professionals, and even more fail to complete the journey. The negatives to hiking the west coast trail that are worth knowing about. The west coast trail offers sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, blowholes, caverns, caves, waterfalls, bogs, rainforest, lighthouses, abandoned settlements, shipwreck relics, native culture, whales, sea lions, eagles, and giant trees. A west coast trail guided tour is one of the best hikes in bc. Popular attractions port renfrew dock and pacific gateway marina are located nearby. Those days are gone now and you pretty much have to make a reservation to get on the trail. All hikers have to pay for hiker ferry services for access to or from the gordon river trailhead and across nitinat narrows. The complete guide to hike the west coast trail canada. West coast trail transportation bamfield bound see her.
This post will be focusing on the west coast trail transportation. Getting to west coast comfort camping via the west coast trail. We west coast trailed in august and it was incredible. The full wct spans a total of 75 km along the west coast of vancouver island. In 2014 a new access point was opened, nitinat narrows. There is an optional reservation system in place to hike the west coast trail and a mandatory trail use permit is required. However if you do choose to cancel, parks canada and the nitinaht entry point bookings, water taxi, comfort camping and nitinaht lake motel will be waiving all reservation fees and all refunds will be paid. Known also as the graveyard of the pacific, it is rich in human history, wildlife, and natural rugged beauty, and is considered one of the worlds top ten hikes. World north america pacific nw canada west coast trail the best hike in the world is the west coast trail. The reservation fee is per person and is nonrefundable.
Please do not wander off trail, and be respectful to those who have occupied this land much longer than us. Reserve online using the parks canada reservation system for the west coast trail here. All reservation, change and cancellation fees are nonrefundable. Advice, trail maps and activities along the way go guided or diy. West coast trail overnight use permit per trip, per person. If you dont get a reservation and you show up standby at the trail, you can pay with credit cardsdebit at the parks canada info centres at pachena bay north or gordon river south. Vancouver island and facing the open pacific ocean, pacific rim national park reserve prnpr represents and protects both the near shore waters and the coastal lowland forests of canadas west coast. 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 information centers are open daily, from 9am to 5pm during this period. 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. 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. West coast trail vancouver island news, events, travel.
Its four days and 2 kms of relaxing fun night before your ride. Added up and including the reservation fee, the cost to hike the west. If you are starting at nitinat narrows, the cost of the water taxi to get from the village to. If you are hiking vancouver island, find your bliss on a guided hiking adventure in canadas premiere wilderness areas. 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.
The night before beginning the trail, we camped near fort renfrew on the beach by the mouth of the gordon river. The west coast trail is open to hikers from may 1 to september 30 each year. West coast trail preparation how to prepare for the hike. Its an amazing trail that requires attention to detail, training, and the right gear. This blog is a west coast trail preparation guide to help you avoid my mistakes and help you know what to bring. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the coast, part of the treacherous graveyard of the pacific. Based in the historic greymouth railway station we offer free information and reservation services for west coast tours, west coast wilderness cycle trail and other activities, attractions. Park your car at one end, and book a trip on the west coast trail express bus that will take you to the other end of the trail. Issue the wct overnight use permits and collect fees bring your reservation confirmation information to the orientation. West coast trail reservations for 2020 open on january 6, 2020, at 8. Your guide to the west coast trail in british columbia happiest. West coast trail victoria capital regional district. When you make a payment via this website your funds are paid into a trust account and then disbursed to the provider. Greymouth isite west coast travel centre visitor information.
Hiking trails in port renfrew, bc trailhead resort. All spaces are reservable and no spaces are set aside for standby hikers as they have in the past. Home forums campfire posttrip reports tips for the west coast trail. Two guidebooks to the trail are west coast trail and the nitinat lakes and blisters and bliss. The other essential publication is the parks canada west coast trail hiker preparation guide.
No average walk in the park, completing the west coast trail is a heroic journey of discovery. All hikers now require a wct overnight user fee and a valid national park entry pass. Cbc vancouver news at 6 host andrew chang snickered when the prehike orientation warned it could take as many as 90 minutes to cover one kilometre of the trail s most difficult section. West coast trail pacific rim national park reserve mb guiding. May 3, 2020 west coast trail has the reputation of being on of the most excutiating treks in north america, rewarding you with stunning backdrops in a cultural and historical landscape. As of 2018, all overnight west coast trail spots are reservable. A paper map is good if you need backup toilet paper or fire starter. The west coast trail is a challenging coastal trek.
A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration. Dec 18, 2019 west coast trail express provides shuttle bus service may 1 to september 30 from victoria and nanaimo to the trail heads and between the trail heads of the west coast trail. In addition to making sure that hikers are prepared, the other main objectives of the wct orientation sessions are to give visitors a general overview of the trail s history, to issue permits and perhaps most importantly, to collect money hiking the trail isnt free. The bamfield end is somewhat flatter and begins more gently than the port renfrew end. Your guide to the west coast trail in british columbia.
You either hike from port renfrew up to bamfield, or vice versa. Additional ferry fees if applicable are collected on behalf of the ditidaht and pacheedaht first nations. All hikers have to pay for hiker ferry services for access to or. West coast trail graveyard of the pacific backpacking. We hiked the west coast trail during early august, 1994.
Mud and dozens of ladders may make it seem like military training but that does not deter the hundreds of hikers from tackling it each year. The 75 kilometre 47 mile wct is part of the ancient paths and paddling routes used for trade and travel by first nations. Best campgrounds in oregon, washington, and the pacific northwest. This allows you to write on it with any pen or pencil if. For general west coast trail guide likewhat and where is it, check out the west coast trail guide. Whether you are looking to tackle the 77km west coast trail, or a simple 20 minute stroll to stunning botanical beach, there is something in port renfrew for everyone, regardless of ability. Jan 02, 2012 only the west coast trail overnight use fee is fully refundable.
There will be no refund when no notice is given to the west coast trail express office. The west coast rail trail website exists to enable you to identify, communicate with and purchase from people and businesses that can help you obtain an enjoyable cycle trail experience. West coast trail 2019 hiker preparation guide the west coast trail is an iconic backcountry, multiday backpacking trail that is a bucket list challenge for many hikers. It is also suggested to plan ahead if travelling with a large group. Our west coast trail itinerary includes stops to see historic and scenic wonders unknown to many hikers. Transportation from the point of origin and return, provincial park user fee, camping fees, food drop, trail ferry fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, mealssnacksbeverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies. Introduction to the west coast trail in british columbia. The trail is situated both along the coastline and in the rain forest of the pacific rim national park reserve.
There is a hiking trail for just about every difficulty and interest level in the area around port renfrew bc. The 2018 season begins on the west coast trail on may 1st. If you are planning on hiking the west coast trail, consider a warm up on another bc hike, the nootka island trail as well. Greymouth isite west coast travel centre is a privately owned and operated isite located in the heart of the west coast greymouth, new zealand. It stretches 75 km from port renfrew in the south to bamfield in the north, running through the pacific rim national park. The trail season is open between may 1 and september 30th. Oct 21, 2019 the west coast trail is a strenuous 75 km multiday beach and forest hiking trail on the coast of vancouver island in british columbia, canada. The west coast trail is a beautiful 75 km long trail along the coast of west coast of vancouver island, british columbia, and runs between port renfrew and bamfield. Parks canada publishes a new west coast trail map every so often. The nitinaht region on the west coast of vancouver island is home to some of the most wondrous natural and cultural sights and experiences all in one beautiful, remarkable untouched place. What you need to know to hike the west coast trail hike bike. The west coast trail travels through numerous native reservations. Changes made within 10 days of the reservation date are subject to availability.
Payment can be made by cash, travelers checks exact amount only, visa or mastercard. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and backpacking. The west coast trail is a worldfamous coastal backpacking trip in pacific rim national park. The west coast trail travels the west coast of southern vancouver island between the towns of port renfrew and bamfield. North coast trail remote coastal hiking sea to sky. The complete guide to hike the west coast trail canada stingy. In this post, i will discuss what the west coast trail is, as a general guide. We did an 8day, south to north route, just the two of us husband and i.
Welcome to part 3 of my west coast trail blog series. Book the west coast trail lodge stay at this 3star lodge in port renfrew. 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. It is an experience that can bring even the most experienced hikers to their knees. Instead of 60 hiking permits day, were now allowed up to 75 day. Fees west coast trail overnight use permit per trip, per person. Viewing 21 posts 1 through 21 of 21 total forums are supported by our merchant partners disclosure rei coupons zpacks hyperlite patagonia arcteryx rbtr drop backcountry feathered friends campsaver. A nonrefundable deposit of 30% of the trip fee is required to hold your reservation. The west coast trail is open from may 1 until september 30 by reservation only. This will be post 1 of 7 in my west coast trail blog series. Before you decide whether to make a west coast trail reservation for yourself, learn what you are. Changes to reservations can be made up to 10 days before the reservation date with no penalty.
It was great to get the tougher stuff done first, so that we could really kick back and enjoy. If you intend to hike the entire trail, you will require an overnight permit. West coast trail hiking vancouver island guided adventure. West coast trail victoria capital regional district all. You can make reservations 7 days a week through the discover bc reservation service between 6.
Our pace allows time to adjust to the demands of the trail and. Hikers with reservations will be issued a pacific rim national park reserve west coast trail map when they register on the trail. There are spots for 70 people to start the wct each day. Some people laminate the map because it rains a lot on the west coast of canada. Huuayaht, ditidaht, and pacheedaht villages and camps were well. Registration for the 2018 west coast trail season opens on january 8 2018 at 8am pst. The west coast trail, is a 75 km long backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of vancouver island in british columbia, canada. Refer to parks canada website for latest fee information. Though the trail is marked, its great to know where youre going. The west coast trail bus picks up and drops off passengers at victoria, sooke, port renfrew, gordon river, mesachie lake, honeymoon bay, nanaimo, nitinat junction. A guide to hiking the west coast trail howstuffworks. Long beach, the broken group islands, and the west coast trail wct. West coast trail pacific rim national park reserve mb.
A large part of the trail is spent hiking on miles of extensive, white sandy beaches separated by spectacular indigenous forest. Exiting or entering via nitinat make shorter wct adventures possible. What you need to know to hike the west coast trail hike. Provide a brief history of the west coast trail and its place in canadas heritage. A view of the pacific coast from the west coast trail. Because really, apart from actually walking the trail, getting there is the hardest part of the whole operatio n. Most hikers complete the trail in 57 days, averaging 1015 km a day.
West coast trail 2019 hiker preparation guide the west coast trail is an iconic backcountry, multiday backpacking trail that is a bucket list. The west coast trail is a grueling weeklong trek on a 75 km wilderness trail along beaches and cliffs and through rainforest. 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. Trek 75 kilometers from start to finish, through an untamed and animated coast, and temperate, inland rainforest, where new adventures meets every sunrise. When cancelling a reservation 21 days or more prior to the departure date, the wct. Hiking the west coast trail, british columbia canada trails. The west coast trail passes through the traditional territory of the pacheedaht, ditidaht, huuayaht, and nuuchahnulth peoples, who have inhabited the area for more than 4,000 years. West coast trail victoria capital regional district 2020. 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. As stated in my preparation for the west coast trail post, there are several ways you can get to the trail heads, which at the north end is pachena bay in. Some of the tallest and largest trees in canada are known to be on or in the vicinity of the west coast trail. 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.
1437 999 1556 860 1311 1512 888 1533 1606 21 1225 543 1519 292 1474 257 1493 1563 1642 979 133 1122 251 375 1235 629 1578 587 1094 380 639 179 1252 1209 1659 1312 857 196 30 645 38 822 458 817 956 1052 1285 1127 163 683