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The best hike in the world is the
West Coast Trail
The West Coast Trail is the very BEST hike in the world. That's right. The BEST. (... add a comment here)
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
- one of our top 10 hikes in the world
 it's a near perfect hiking experience in pristine Canadian wilderness
- a quota system limits the number of people
- this is how every hike should be managed
- on no other trek have we taken as many photos
- mystic dawns and mind-blowing sunsets
- pretty beaches, cool caves, hidden pocket coves, weird cliffs and coastal geology
- WCT is in a well protected National Park, but access is easy from Victoria or Vancouver
- it's challenging — though 99% of those who start (somehow) finish
- evacuation in case of disaster is efficient
- thrilling boulder and log walking between Thrasher & Owen Point
- scrambling up slippery Sandstone Creek
- playing at Hole in the Wall
- impossibly situated pretty Tsusiat Falls
- walking in impressive old growth forest
- share the trip with whales, sea lions, mink. Maybe bear and cougar. Or even wolves!
- ship wrecks and other historical artifacts
- cable cars and ladders can be "fun"
- campfires below the tide line
- no biting insects
- excellent hiking guidebooks available
- taking one of the 3 excellent (optional) boat trips connecting the Bamfield trailhead
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CONSIDERATIONS
Jot down the 24 hour emergency number 250-726-3604. Use this only. Not 911.
- some cell phones work on the beaches. A more certain option is a marine VHF radio.
- hikers have died on the West Coast Trail
- rogue waves and surge channels pose the greatest risks
- this is not a good hike for those who have never done a long multi-day trip
- though it gets a little easier each season, it is still tough
- slippery footing causes almost everyone to fall multiple times
- few finish this adventure pain-free
- you must carry your own heavy pack
- you may need to climb 50 huge ladders
- miserably exposed, rain and wind is the norm. You need a good tent.
- can you handle 6 inches of rain in 12 hours?
- summer highs around 14C (57F)
- risks of both hypothermia and heat stroke
- river crossing are normally no problem
- food is available about half way through at km 44.5
- bring rope to hang food from a tree or bear pole
- more bear-proof food caches have been added
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At C$140/person in 2006 plus C$25 reservation fee, this is by far the most expensive hike in Canada.
It is difficult and a hassle to get a reservation to hike in July and August as only 52 Trail Use Permits are available starting each day
If you don't have a reservation, you can stand-by at the trailhead and try to get your hands on one of the 10 spots/day made available to walk-ons. Normally you can get on the WCT after waiting a day or two. This works well if you are hiking solo or two together, but not for large groups.
If you are dissuaded by these warnings, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail  immediately south of the West Coast Trail is a brilliant alternative hike. We often recommend people stand by to get on the WCT at Port Renfrew and — if they do not get on — hike Juan de Fuca instead which starts in the opposite direction from Port Renfrew.
We have also done shorter hikes on the easier Bamfield end of the WCT exiting at Nitinat Narrows. You must pay the full price for staying even one night on the WCT, however.
After the West Coast Trail many hikers start looking at the far less developed Nootka Trail .
ROUTE
- coastal hike of 75km (47mi)
- trailheads near towns of Port Renfrew (Gordon River) and Bamfield (Pachena Bay)
- all campsites are first-come, first-served
- decide as you go where you want to camp. An "open" itinerary is best.
- we recommend 7 nights on the trail for an optimal experience. Take time to enjoy this beautiful place.
- fit hikers can easily do it in 5 nights
- often you can choose between an inland path or a coastal route. The coast is almost always better.
- you need study a tide chart to plot your best itinerary, hitting specific points at low tide
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LOGISTICS
- buy fuel & rent gear, if needed, at MEC in Victoria
- this is a complex hike — get yourself a hiking guidebook as early as possible.
- a big decision you need to make is whether to start from Port Renfrew or Bamfield. (Much argued is which is the better direction to hike.)
- many have that decision made for them when they make a telephone reservation to start between June 15th - Sept 15th
Toll Free Canada / USA: 1-800-435-5622
Greater Vancouver: 604-435-5622
International: (Canada) 250-387-1642
- if one trailhead is fully booked, pick the other
- timing of your phone call is critical. You must phone at exactly 7AM Pacific Coast Daylight Saving's Time. It may take hours to connect by hitting "redial".
» for hikes starting in June, phone April 1 or later
» for hikes starting in July, phone May 1 or later
» for hikes starting in August, phone June 1 or later
» for hikes starting in September, phone July 1 or later
More advice on reservations & permits on the i-needtoknow.com WCT FAQ page.
- May 1 - June 14 & Sept 16 - Sept 30 you cannot make a reservation. It is first come, first served. Everyone normally gets on in shoulder season — a good reason to hike. (Especially late September, which is often lovely.)
- off-season hiking the entire 75km is almost impossible as boats carrying you across two rivers do not run
- once you know where you are starting, organize transportation to get to your trailhead
- easiest is to drive your own vehicle, but public transport is fairly convenient too
- book with the convenient West Coast Trail Express bus. (If you book a return fare, this company will store your excess luggage until you finish the hike.)
- public transport is also available between the two trailheads by van, and sometimes by tour boat
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INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Almost everyone hikes the WCT independently. But very good guided options are available. Browse the list above.
LOCAL INFORMATION
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
Blisters & Bliss is our old favourite. It's widely available in Canada.
The Leadem guides are great too and are more up-to-date. Get the West Coast version if you might want to hike Juan de Fuca or Nootka, as well.
Both Leadem's pocket guide and Blisters & Bliss describe the hike in both directions — a first for any guidebook, anywhere.
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
There are many others. We like LP's format and maps best.
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Brawn's book is particularly good for those looking for a pre-hike fitness program — for climbing ladders!
BEST MAPS
Every hiker gets the CanMap West Coast Trail (1:50,000) with registration. If you make an advanced reservation, you can have it mailed.
BEST WEBSITES
After this page, the best links are:
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
new Josh McCulloch professional photo searchable database of WCT pics. (e.g. search for "Tsusiat Falls" or "Walbran".)
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