Hiking Adventures on Vancouver Island
Located on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver Island is crisscrossed with trail systems that challenge the skilled, entertain the novice, and thrill all nature lovers, regardless of expertise.
Hiking trails of all lengths and compositions can be found across the length and breadth of the Island.
Being presented merely as an introductory overview of some of the Island's better known hiking adventures is this wilderness snapshot.
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Starting in the deep south of the Island, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail began life as part of a telegraph line that had been built during the 1890s to link Cape Beale near Bamfield with Victoria.
Not part of the so-called Lifesaving Trail (the West Coast Trail) the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and has been developed as a three to four day wilderness hiking adventure.
The Trail itself snakes along a 47 kilometer stretch of the western shore of Southern Vancouver Island from China Beach (west of Jordan River) to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew.
The trail offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, wildlife viewing and roaring surf along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Galloping Goose Trail: The Galloping Goose Regional Trail began life as a railway line and meanders through a wide range of terrain and surroundings, from urban landscapes to pristine wilderness scenes.
The 55 kilometer connector links the City of Victoria to nearby Sooke.
The trail system has been developed to accommodate all forms of non mechanical travel, whether that journey is on foot, on a bike or even by horseback on the route's more rural sections.
The trail was opened in 1987 and passes through the communities of Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich and Victoria.
The Coast Trail: Located within East Sooke Regional Park, the Coast Trail is known as one of the country's finest day hikes.
Only a short drive from Victoria the Trail offers exceptional West Coast vistas, pounding surf, pristine forested landscapes and a challenging 10 kilometer hike.
The Trail itself is considered rough and challenging, so block off sufficient time to experience the route fully.
Expect to take last six hours or more to complete the journey, depending on experience and skill level.
Regardless of the workout, the sheer beauty of the forests and ocean scenery make any effort a worthwhile investment.
The West Coast Trail: One of the premier hikes in the country, the West Coast Trail has assumed an almost mythic standing among serious outdoor enthusiasts.
The 75 kilometer route was formerly established as the West Coast Trail Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park in 1973.
This 25,640 hectare strip of the Pacific Rim encompasses the section of coast southeast of Barkley Sound, between the villages of Bamfield and Port Renfrew.
The West Coast Trail, or Life Saving Trail as it is otherwise known, retraces an old telegraph route that once connected Victoria with Cape Beale near Bamfield.
The original 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 the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
The Trail can be hiked in either direction.
Hikers can register either at the Gordon River Info Centre in Port Renfrew or at the Pachena Bay Info Centre in Bamfield before hitting the trail.
The route's southern section is considered the most challenging.
Not for the faint of heart or day-hiker, careful planning and a truthful appraisal of personal strengths and experience must be undertaken before accepting the once in a lifetime challenges of this legendary hike.
Helliwell Bluffs: Located on Hornby Island (just south of the City of Courtenay), the Helliwell Bluffs is considered one of the nicest day hikes on the coast.
Meandering through old growth stands of Douglas fir the trail tracks along a beautiful cliffside that offers breathtaking views of the Georgia Strait.
Hornby Island is accessed via two ferry rides, first from Vancouver Island to Denman Island, then a drive across that portion of the Northern Gulf Islands to a second ferry that links Denman with nearby Hornby.
The trail itself is part of Helliwell Provincial Park and features a low impact five kilometer route that shows off Island's coastline to perfect effect.
Strathcona Park Trails: Located north of the City of Campbell River, Strathcona Provincial Park offers hiking opportunities to fill a library of adventure books - not a single blog entry.
Hikers of all levels of experience will find something within this sprawling 2,500 square kilometer expanse of pristine Island wilderness.
The oldest provincial park in BC, some of Strathcona's better known trails include: The Della Falls Trail which begins near Port Alberni takes adventurers from the head of Great Central Lake (the Island's largest) to the base of Della Falls, at 440 meters high, the highest waterfall in Canada.
A challenging 16 kilometer trail is a long and rugged hike taking about 7 hours one way, and suitable for intermediate level hikers.
In contrast the Bedwell Lake Trail was designed for less experienced hikers and is a day hike covering about six kilometers.
Developed by BC Parks the trail provides a change for hikers to enjoy the Park's beautiful alpine and subalpine areas.
Steel stairways installed by the Park staff may offend serious hikers, but are appreciated by the less adventurous.
Another of Strathcona's more accessible routes is the Lupin Falls Nature Walk.
A gentle hike through classic Vancouver Island forest lands, the route leads hikers to Lupin Falls, an impressive little waterfall that encourages rest and contemplation of the peaceful surroundings.
On the lake side there are some picnic tables and walking access to the beach.
The Lupin Falls Nature Walk trailhead is on Westmin Road, about 8 kilometers south of Buttle Lake bridge on Highway 28 to the town of Campbell River.
Ripple Rock Trail: Another hiking destination found near Campbell River, the Ripple Rock Trail overlooks the spot where in 1958 Ripple Rock, a twin topped mountain just below the ocean surface of Seymour Narrows, was blasted away in what was at the time the largest non-nuclear explosion in history.
A well marked interpretive trail skirts stony benches to a viewpoint above the chokepoint of Vancouver Island's inside passage just north of Campbell River.
The Ripple Rock story add character and history to the enjoyment of this light and pleasant walk - featuring forest vistas and views of the fast moving waterways and distant Mainland mountains.
Stamp River Long Trail: Located near Port Alberni, the Stamp River Long Trail features a route that traverses 7.
5 kilometers of old growth forest on the eastern bank of the Stamp River.
The trail runs mainly parallel to the river while numerous short switchbacks provide contrasting views of the river from above.
Ancient firs and cedars can be found along the length of the trail, and there is a particularly fine stand of old growth near the northern end of the route.
Eagles, hawks, and various water birds are frequently seen.
In fall, bears are also commonly encountered feeding on spawning salmon, it's essential care be taken to avoid encountering a feeding bear at these times.
Caution should also be exercised during winter when water levels can be very high.
The trail can be accessed from either the south or north ends, but there are no intermediate access points.
The south end is accessed from the parking lot at Stamp River Provincial Park.
With its exceptional beauty, mild climate and excess of varied natural terrain, Vancouver Island is a destination of choice for hikers, campers and Nature lovers of all types.
This article was created merely to offer a glimpse into the world of wilderness trail hiking on Vancouver Island.
By doing a little research on your own you will quickly discover why this easily accessible island has attracted outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
Hiking trails of all lengths and compositions can be found across the length and breadth of the Island.
Being presented merely as an introductory overview of some of the Island's better known hiking adventures is this wilderness snapshot.
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Starting in the deep south of the Island, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail began life as part of a telegraph line that had been built during the 1890s to link Cape Beale near Bamfield with Victoria.
Not part of the so-called Lifesaving Trail (the West Coast Trail) the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and has been developed as a three to four day wilderness hiking adventure.
The Trail itself snakes along a 47 kilometer stretch of the western shore of Southern Vancouver Island from China Beach (west of Jordan River) to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew.
The trail offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, wildlife viewing and roaring surf along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Galloping Goose Trail: The Galloping Goose Regional Trail began life as a railway line and meanders through a wide range of terrain and surroundings, from urban landscapes to pristine wilderness scenes.
The 55 kilometer connector links the City of Victoria to nearby Sooke.
The trail system has been developed to accommodate all forms of non mechanical travel, whether that journey is on foot, on a bike or even by horseback on the route's more rural sections.
The trail was opened in 1987 and passes through the communities of Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich and Victoria.
The Coast Trail: Located within East Sooke Regional Park, the Coast Trail is known as one of the country's finest day hikes.
Only a short drive from Victoria the Trail offers exceptional West Coast vistas, pounding surf, pristine forested landscapes and a challenging 10 kilometer hike.
The Trail itself is considered rough and challenging, so block off sufficient time to experience the route fully.
Expect to take last six hours or more to complete the journey, depending on experience and skill level.
Regardless of the workout, the sheer beauty of the forests and ocean scenery make any effort a worthwhile investment.
The West Coast Trail: One of the premier hikes in the country, the West Coast Trail has assumed an almost mythic standing among serious outdoor enthusiasts.
The 75 kilometer route was formerly established as the West Coast Trail Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park in 1973.
This 25,640 hectare strip of the Pacific Rim encompasses the section of coast southeast of Barkley Sound, between the villages of Bamfield and Port Renfrew.
The West Coast Trail, or Life Saving Trail as it is otherwise known, retraces an old telegraph route that once connected Victoria with Cape Beale near Bamfield.
The original 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 the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
The Trail can be hiked in either direction.
Hikers can register either at the Gordon River Info Centre in Port Renfrew or at the Pachena Bay Info Centre in Bamfield before hitting the trail.
The route's southern section is considered the most challenging.
Not for the faint of heart or day-hiker, careful planning and a truthful appraisal of personal strengths and experience must be undertaken before accepting the once in a lifetime challenges of this legendary hike.
Helliwell Bluffs: Located on Hornby Island (just south of the City of Courtenay), the Helliwell Bluffs is considered one of the nicest day hikes on the coast.
Meandering through old growth stands of Douglas fir the trail tracks along a beautiful cliffside that offers breathtaking views of the Georgia Strait.
Hornby Island is accessed via two ferry rides, first from Vancouver Island to Denman Island, then a drive across that portion of the Northern Gulf Islands to a second ferry that links Denman with nearby Hornby.
The trail itself is part of Helliwell Provincial Park and features a low impact five kilometer route that shows off Island's coastline to perfect effect.
Strathcona Park Trails: Located north of the City of Campbell River, Strathcona Provincial Park offers hiking opportunities to fill a library of adventure books - not a single blog entry.
Hikers of all levels of experience will find something within this sprawling 2,500 square kilometer expanse of pristine Island wilderness.
The oldest provincial park in BC, some of Strathcona's better known trails include: The Della Falls Trail which begins near Port Alberni takes adventurers from the head of Great Central Lake (the Island's largest) to the base of Della Falls, at 440 meters high, the highest waterfall in Canada.
A challenging 16 kilometer trail is a long and rugged hike taking about 7 hours one way, and suitable for intermediate level hikers.
In contrast the Bedwell Lake Trail was designed for less experienced hikers and is a day hike covering about six kilometers.
Developed by BC Parks the trail provides a change for hikers to enjoy the Park's beautiful alpine and subalpine areas.
Steel stairways installed by the Park staff may offend serious hikers, but are appreciated by the less adventurous.
Another of Strathcona's more accessible routes is the Lupin Falls Nature Walk.
A gentle hike through classic Vancouver Island forest lands, the route leads hikers to Lupin Falls, an impressive little waterfall that encourages rest and contemplation of the peaceful surroundings.
On the lake side there are some picnic tables and walking access to the beach.
The Lupin Falls Nature Walk trailhead is on Westmin Road, about 8 kilometers south of Buttle Lake bridge on Highway 28 to the town of Campbell River.
Ripple Rock Trail: Another hiking destination found near Campbell River, the Ripple Rock Trail overlooks the spot where in 1958 Ripple Rock, a twin topped mountain just below the ocean surface of Seymour Narrows, was blasted away in what was at the time the largest non-nuclear explosion in history.
A well marked interpretive trail skirts stony benches to a viewpoint above the chokepoint of Vancouver Island's inside passage just north of Campbell River.
The Ripple Rock story add character and history to the enjoyment of this light and pleasant walk - featuring forest vistas and views of the fast moving waterways and distant Mainland mountains.
Stamp River Long Trail: Located near Port Alberni, the Stamp River Long Trail features a route that traverses 7.
5 kilometers of old growth forest on the eastern bank of the Stamp River.
The trail runs mainly parallel to the river while numerous short switchbacks provide contrasting views of the river from above.
Ancient firs and cedars can be found along the length of the trail, and there is a particularly fine stand of old growth near the northern end of the route.
Eagles, hawks, and various water birds are frequently seen.
In fall, bears are also commonly encountered feeding on spawning salmon, it's essential care be taken to avoid encountering a feeding bear at these times.
Caution should also be exercised during winter when water levels can be very high.
The trail can be accessed from either the south or north ends, but there are no intermediate access points.
The south end is accessed from the parking lot at Stamp River Provincial Park.
With its exceptional beauty, mild climate and excess of varied natural terrain, Vancouver Island is a destination of choice for hikers, campers and Nature lovers of all types.
This article was created merely to offer a glimpse into the world of wilderness trail hiking on Vancouver Island.
By doing a little research on your own you will quickly discover why this easily accessible island has attracted outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
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