Hiking the coastal trails of British Columbia offers amazing rewards. Spectacular ocean views, hidden trails, crashing waves, towering trees, beautiful sunsets, abundant wildlife all await you.
Here are just a few of British Columbia's marine hiking trails that you can explore, both rural and urban.
Vancouver Island
Nootka Island
Sunshine Coast
Lower Mainland
Vancouver Island
West Coast Trail
The 75-km (47-mi) West Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart. It is quite remote and can, at times be dangerous. The trail was carved out of the rainforest in 1906 to provide a refuge and way out for mariners
shipwrecked along a stretch of coastline that is so dangerous it was named, "The Graveyard of the Pacific."
The trail runs between Bamfield and Port Renfrew. There are two trailhead access points: Pachena Bay at the north end, 3 km (1.9 mi) from Bamfield and Gordon River in the south, which is accessed by twice-daily water taxi from Port Renfrew (fees apply).
There are two places where you can get to the trailheads. One is via Port Alberni, 102 km (63 mi) from Bamfield via the MV Lady Rose passenger/cargo ship, or via a logging road from Port Renfrew, which is about 70 km (43 mi) north of Sooke.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/index_E.asp
Long BeachThe roar of the surf, the morning fog, the lush coastal rainforest, combined with an abundance of wildlife will make your hikes on Long Beach a unique and memorable experience.
Signs posted around the trails provide information about where you can hike, stroll the beach and camp. For an overview visit the Wickaninnish Centre, an interpretive centre that offers exhibits and displays.
Start your Long beach hike at Schooner Cove. As you approach the beach you will leave the cedar-hemlock forest behind you and the Sitka spruce becomes prevalent. This Sitka spruce fringe goes all the way around the outer edge of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. To really get a feeling of this fringe, take the Spruce Fringe Trail.
The Rain Forest Trail takes you into a coastal forest area where huge red cedars spire above you and vegetation is extremely dense.
There are six other trails for you to hike and enjoy the are: the Willowbrea Trail, Half Moon Bay Trail, Gold Mine Trail, South Beach Trail, Wickaninnish Trail and Shoreline Bog Trail.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/lg/visit/visit4a_e.asp
Botanical BeachBotanical Beach Provincial Park was established in 1989 and, reputedly, has the best tidal pools anywhere on the coast of British Columbia. At low tides, the pools are filled with marine life, such as star fish, anemones, nudibranchs and sea urchins.
The are easy day hikes at Botanical Beach, and is relatively easy to get there, approximately 100 km. (60 miles) from Victoria, to the access point at the village of Port Renfrew.
Explore and hike Botanical Beach at low tide, but be sure to keep a close watch for incoming tides and, before you set out on a hike, check for tide listenings. Please don't touch or take home any souvenirs from the park, the environment is very fragile, so you are encouraged to always be very careful wherever you go.
www.portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm
Cape Scott TrailCape Scott trail is located at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, approximately 64 km (40 miles) west of Port Hardy, via a combination of provincial highways and logging roads.
Even today you can still see remnants of 19th-century Danish settlements along the 48-km (30-mile) round-trip hike along the trail, which traces an old telegraph line to the Cape Scott Lighthouse.
As you hike the trail you'll see old-growth Sitka spruce, some as large as 3 m (9.8 ft) in diameter, dominating portions of this challenging route, while rocky promontories, salt marshes, jagged headlands and white sand beaches punctuate the rocky coastline.
Coastal wildlife that you'll see includes sea birds, seals, sea lions and sea otters. The forested and open upland areas provide a home for elk, deer, elk, wolves and cougars.
www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cape.html
Juan de Fuca Marine TrailThe 47-km (29-mile) Juan de Fuca Marine Trail extends along the western shoreline of southern Vancouver Island, from China Beach to Botanical Beach.
This is a beautiful trail that features spectacular ocean and mountain views, waterfalls, grottos, old-growth forests, unique rock formations and estuaries. The trail also provides many opportunities to pause and view an abundance of intertidal flora and fauna at close range.
While remote, the trail is well equipped with wilderness campsites and sanitary facilities. It is accessible by car at multiple points along Highway 14 between Jordan River and Port Renfrew. Casual and experienced hikers will both enjoy this trail.
www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/juanfuca.html
Victoria - Dallas Road Waterfront
This lovely, 6-km (3.6-mile) city walk explores Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point and the James Bay waterfront areas of Victoria.
Beacon Hill Park features duck ponds, playgrounds, tennis courts, a lawn bowling green, a petting zoo, spray pools and a putting green.
The waterfront area, near Beacon Hill Park at the end of Cook Street, is a popular spot for hang-gliding, windsurfing and kite flying.
Dallas Road, near Ogden Point, is home to the Victoria cruise ship terminal and the breakwater, adjacent to which is a well know marine park.
The James Bay waterfront takes you through one of Victoria's oldest and most historic neighbourhoods. Be sure to visit Fisherman's Wharf on your way past.
Nootka Island
Nootka Island TrailNootka Island is accessible year-round by water taxi or charter plane and seasonally by ferry from Gold River on Vancouver Island,
The 35-km (22-mile) Nootka Island Trail follows an ancient route used by Aboriginal people for at least 4,000 years before Captain Cook first set foot on the island in 1778. Ancient village sites, a totem pole and the remains of a shipwreck along the trail are poignant visual reminders of this island's history.
Today, this trail is an unpatrolled wilderness route that, in places, can only be traversed at low tide. Natural highlights include old-growth forest, waterfalls, sea caves, remote beaches and abundant wildlife.
Hikers who plan to take the Nootka Island Trail must be experienced and must be geared-up for extreme weather. Hikers should check in with the Gold River RCMP before setting out.
www.airnootka.com/hikingnootka.html
Sunshine Coast
Mount Hallowell TrailThe Sunshine Coast offers some challenging, and some easy hikes. One of the treks you should try is the 13 km (8 mile) round trip to Mount Hallowell where, from the top, you can see Jervis, Sechelt and Narrows Inlets, Georgia Strait and Pender Harbour.
www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/spipiyus.html
Sunshine Coast TrailThe Sunshine Coast Trail is located on the upper Sunshine Coast near Powell River. No matter where you are on the trail you are never more than 6 km (3.75 mi) from vehicle access.
The trail follows the upper Sunshine Coast from Saltery Bay in the south to Sarah Point on the shores of Desolation Sound. Experienced and hikers can trek the length of the trail through old-growth forest past crashing waterfalls and stunning seascapes.
www.sunshinecoast-trail.com
Lower Mainland
Vancouver-Stanley Park Sea WallSpend an incredible day walking, cycling or rollerblading the paved 10-km (6.2-mi) Stanley Park Seawall, marveling at the magnificent mountain, ocean, forest and city views.
Stanley Park is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. Crowds of international tourists, and locals alike, can be found enjoying a brisk jog or leisurely stroll around the park at any time of the year.
Stanley Park is one of North America's largest urban parks and, as such, it offers tourists and locals lots to see and to do. Stroll the gardens. Visit marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium. Play a game of tennis. Let the kids play at the water park or take them for a ride on the miniature train.
Be sure to stop and marvel at the totem pole collection at Brockton Point - it is one of the province's most-visited site.
www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/index.htm
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