West Coast Trail

Description of Tour:

The world famous West Coast Trail on BC's Vancouver Island is part of the Pacific Rim National Park system, which protects some of the most beautiful coastline and ecological important temperate rain forest areas of western Canada. The Trail itself covers a distance of 75 Km, and lies roughly between the two hamlets of Port Renfrew and Bamfield BC. The West Coast Trail (including a telegraph line) was originally built in 1890 as a life-saving escape route and communication line for survivors of the many shipwrecks that littered the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The first lighthouse was built on Carmanah Point in 1891.

The trail's abandonment in the 1950s resulted in many decades of deterioration and it was only in 1970 that this stretch of the West Coast was incorporated into the Pacific Rim National Park system. Until the trails restoration in the 1980s this trail was considered one of the most challenging, treacherous, and dangerous hikes in North America. Today it is a well developed, beautiful, yet fairly strenuous trek between 4 - 7 days. In its length the trail crosses temperate rain forest, kilometers of pristine beaches, waterfalls, natural bridges, and fiords. The West Coast Trail has been considered one of the classic hikes of North America and one of the most scenic and beautiful treks in Western Canada.

Total Length of Trip: 8 Days including one day travel from Vancouver to Trail head, six days spent hiking the West Coast. One day return to Vancouver or Victoria, (2 additional days may be added optionally to visit Victoria upon request) For those wishing to arrive other than from Vancouver (as for example Edmonton or Calgary) please communicate this to the CWSE prior to trip in order to arrange possible transportation methods.

 

 

Trip Itinerary:

Day 0

(arrival): Group members arriving by plane, bus or who are either already in Vancouver will be shuttled to Hotel/Hostel. In the evening we have a group meeting and introduction to the guide(s) and other members of the group. We check over all equipment and make sure all necessary preparations have been made.

Day 1

After Breakfast we pack up all luggage and equipment. From Vancouver we van shuttle to Horseshoe Bay, and a scenic 2 hour Ferry ride to Nanaimo BC. From Nanaimo we drive another 250 km across the Island to the Pacific Ocean and the trailhead of the West Coast trail. In the evening we camp near the small hamlet of Bamfield on Pachena Beach. We enjoy the atmosphere of the Pacific and with your guide you discuss, pack, and prepare for the beginning of the hike on the following day.

Day 2

After Breakfast we load up and drive to the West Coast trail trailhead, here we sign in and start our 6 day trek along this unforgettable part of the Pacific Rim. On our first day we try to keep our hike relatively easy. We hike approximitly 16 km through the West Coast Rain Forest until we make camp on the beach of the pacific ocean.

Day 3

We hike and take our time enjoying the Scenic and unforgettable West Coast Trail, trekking through, rainforest, along beaches, past natural sandstone arches, waterfalls, fiords, and some of the oldest old growth forest in North America. We tent by the camp fire in the evenings or next to the beach at sunset. We joke, laughing, and share the experiences of the day. Our second day of hiking is another relatively easy day consisting of a 12 km stretch.

Day 4

Day 4 is one of the longer stretches 22 km, we pass countless ship wreck sites and ferry across the Nitinat Narrows. in the evening we pass Carmanah Point and its light house were with luck you can often spot sea Lions basking on the nearby rock.

Day 5

Our etape today is 16 km long. Optionally there is a possibility to hike up the to Carmanah Giant (considered the worlds largest Spruce trees). Today we pass Vancouver point, Logan suspension bridge and we camp on the beach of Camper Bay.

Day 6

13 km marks our final day of hiking as we arrive at the end of the West Coast Trail near the hamlet of Port Renfrew. Here we celebrate our completion of the hike. In the evening we are rewarded with hot showers and a hot meal to celebrate our adventure of the last week.

Day 7

On our final day of hiking we arrive in Port Renfrew were we celebrate our completion of the hike. In the evening we are rewarded with hot showers and a good meal to celebrate our adventure of the last week.

Day 7

After a leisurely breakfast we pack up our gear and equipment and drive from Port Renfrew to either Victoria or by Ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen and back to Vancouver. We aim to be back in Vancouver by early evening.

Day 8 *optional

Full day in Victoria. You can enjoy historic downtown or go on a whale watching tour. Enjoy the afternoon sea kayaking or have tea at the famous Empress Hotel. Explore Victoria’s numerous parks and ocean side walking paths.

(Optional additions): *optional

You can enjoy an additional day and a half in the beautiful capital of British Colombia, Victoria. Spend the afternoon visiting Victoria’s beautiful harbor or take a leisurely stroll through down town and historic China town. In the evening enjoy a pleasant meal in one of the numerous water front cafes and restaurants.

Day 9 *optional

Return trip by Ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen and back to Vancouver. We aim to be back in Vancouver by early evening.

What is included: ( Show )

Experienced and fun loving guide(s) with a maximum 6:1 ratio of participants to guides

Small group sizes (max 14)

All group camping and outdoor equipment including Tents, cookware, cook shelter, emergency gear, etc. (excluding personal outdoor and camping equipment for example: sleeping bag, mattress, raingear, clothing etc)

All meals for the entire length of the trip (Menu is varied and is nutritious and delicious)

A breathtaking experience of a lifetime

All transportation

What is excluded: ( Show )

Expenses incurred as a result of an emergency Evacuation by plane or Helicopter or coverage as a result of delays due to extreme weather conditions.

Personal outdoor equipment including sleeping bad, sleeping mattress, cloths raingear, etc.
Click ’show’ beside Personal Gear to view a list of suggested personal gear and equipment.

Personal Gear to bring: ( Show )

Weather conditions can change quickly in the outdoors therefore it is essential to have proper equipment and even prepare for extreme conditions to ensure your comfort and most importantly your safety. Try to avoid cotton fabrics as they provide very little insulating value when wet and are very slow drying. Rely mainly on fleece, wools and synthetics as these fabrics still provide substantial insulating value even when wet (which can frequently occur in the outdoors). In early and late summer it is not uncommon that 0 degress C or below freezing temperatures can occasionally occur, thus it is important to always bring enough warm clothing. When selecting equipment pay attention to quality as this may greatly enhance your enjoyment and comfort.
Do not bring external frame backpacks.

Sleeping Gear

-Good sleeping bag (minimum comfort range to 0 degrees C)

-Thermarest sleeping mattress

-Duffel Sacks

Clothing

-Rain gear (water proof Jacket and pants Gore-Tex or equivalent)

-Fleece jacket / wool pullover

-2 long shirts

-Several pairs of t-shirts

-Long pants (quick drying)

-Shorts (quick drying)

-Hat (for protection from the sun)

-Warm hat or touque against the cold

-Several pairs of socks (quick dry)

-Gloves or mitts

-Undershirt

-Underwear

-Sun glasses

-Bandana

Rain Gear

Personal Items

-Toiletry Items

-Small towel

-Medications (if required take extra)

-Environmentally Biodegradable soap

-Sunscreen

Additional Outdoor Gear

-Matches/lighter (in a waterproof case)

-Whistle

-Pocket Knife

-Flashlight

-Waterbottle

-Sewing kit (for ripped clothing)

-Nylon rope

-Binoculars

-Camera (in waterproof case)

-Garbage bags (for waterproofing)

-sturdy hiking boots

-Note: Due to the long hiking nature of this trip but sure to minimize the weight of the gear you bring as much as you can, Weigh your pack and if possible do a shorter hike beforehand to get used to the weight