Category: coastal

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BestHike #1 – West Coast Trail, British Columbia

West Coast Trail is our top hike in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute preview on YouTube.

West Coast Trail

Challenging in many ways.

So much VARIETY in pristine Canadian coastal wilderness.

Mystic dawns and mind-blowing sunsets. Hidden pocket coves and weird coastal geology.

You’ll never forget the West Coast Trail.

WCT ladders

AT A GLANCE

  • 75 km (47 mi), 5-7 days Pachena Bay <> Gordon River
  • 3-5 day routes possible via Nitinaht Village trailhead
  • southwestern edge of Vancouver Island
  • Pacific Rim National Park
  • Permits required 
  • May 1 – September 30
  • extremely rugged, requires a high level of fitness
  • 6,000+ backpackers / year

Read more on our WCT information page.

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West Coast Trail – #1 Hike in the World

The WCT was closed all of 2020.

We still don’t know if it will reopen for 2021. Reservations might open in April.

Read our WCT information page.

While we wait, here’s a cute short video that captures the feel of the adventure.

ESPECIALLY the ladders.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Want to see more?

Watch Sean Tilden’s lovely edit.

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Jack Point Trail, Nanaimo

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

Click PLAY or watch a Christmas Eve hike on YouTube.

Jack Point is a 5.1 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is accessible year-round.

AllTrails

Biggs Point is the name of the park along one side of Duke Point, leading to Jack Point, the park that covers the tip of the peninsula. Everyone knows the Duke Point Ferry Terminal, the run to Tsawwassen in Vancouver.

YES all those names for the same place is confusing. Trail signage says Jack Point.

In fact, if you are ever having to wait for the ferry, hiking Jack Point would be an ideal nearby diversion.

This short trail is fascinating: arbutus trees, boardwalk, wooden staircases, weird and wild erosion, sand-stone caves, small light house. Plenty of wildlife.

Excellent views of the Nanaimo River estuary, dowtown Nanaimo, Protection Island and Gabriola Island.

related – sea2peak trip report

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Juan de Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island

Our hike in the world — West Coast Trail — was closed all of 2020 due to COVID. Hopefully it will reopen in 2021.

Right next door is the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

It’s one of the great alternatives to the WCT. Logistics are much easier. And it’s less expensive.

Vancouver Island experts MB Guiding have a Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Guide online.

Check that for planning. And get a copy of the best hiking guidebook – Coastal Hikes.

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The Most Dangerous Path In Britain

Tom Scott:

The Broomway is surrounded on both sides by quicksand and deep, sucking mud. It has no markers and no guideposts.

And if you mistime your walk, you won’t outrun the tide.

Oh, and it’s in the middle of a Ministry of Defence firing range.

But most of the time, if you want to visit Foulness Island, it’s the only way.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Nydia Track, New Zealand

Nydia Track, Marlborough: The best walk you’ve never heard of

I thought I’d heard of ALL major New Zealand tramps. I lived there for a year.

The 27 km Nydia Track in the Sounds area of Marlborough is an easy 2 day tramp. Plan on an overnight stop at Nydia Bay.

Department of Conservation

World Expeditions offers a guided tour.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.