1 / 5
West Coast Trail
Vancouver Island, Canada
Map
Directions
Save
Trail GPX file
The West Coast Trail (WCT) is an iconic backpacking trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The trail will take you on beautiful coastlines, up and down dozens of ladders in temperate forests, and across mountain-fed rivers via cable cars and ferries.
Historically the WCT area was used by first nations as paddling routes for trade and travel. It later became frequently sailed by ships; in time, the coastline became known as “the Graveyard of the Pacific” because of the number of shipwrecks along the coast.
Length
46.7 mi
Elevation Gain
5,056 ft
Best Time to Hike
May - Sep
Duration
6-8 days
Difficulty
Challenging
Trail Type
Point to Point
When To Go
The WCT is open from May 1 to September 30. The trail is closed from October 1 to April 30 due to extended periods of heavy rain, strong winds, high tides, large waves and short days.
In May and June, the chance of rain is higher, so be prepared for wet weather. July and August are great months to hike the trail, as the weather is drier and you’ll have the longest daylight.
How To Get There
The WCT is located on Vancouver Island, just off the coast of southern British Columbia, Canada.
The WCT can be hiked in either direction, starting at either Pachena Bay Trailhead or Gordon River Trailhead. If you’re starting from Pachena Bay, park your car at Gordon River Trailhead and take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle (reservations strongly recommended) to Pachena Bay.
To get to Gordon River Trailhead, you can drive from Victoria via Highway 14 (2 hrs). The closest airport to Victoria is Vancouver International Airport (3 hrs by car). Look for signs that direct you to Gordon River Trailhead as you enter Port Renfrew. If you don’t have a car, you can take the bus from Victoria (2 hrs) with West Coast Trail Express (again, reservations recommended).
Permit
A permit is required to hike the WCT. Due to the popularity of the trail, reservations should be made as early as possible, ideally in early January of the same year of your start date. Reservations can be made online starting on January 6 at 8:00 am PT. To make a reservation, see the official trail website for more info.
All hikers of the WCT must participate in an hour orientation session. The purpose of this orientation is to address common safety issues, provide information about the trail’s current conditions, and issue permits. Orientation is mandatory and must be done less than 1 day before your intended start date, as trail conditions are constantly changing.
Orientation sessions are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Pachena Bay Information Centre and Gordon River Information Centre. Be sure to bring your WCT Overnight Use Permit Reservation confirmation to the orientation.
Where To Camp
There are 13 official campsites on the WCT, all located on the coast. No reservations are needed. Camping is permitted anywhere along the trail; you don’t have to camp in the designated campsites. All official campsites have toilets and bear proof food lockers.
Know Before You Go
Weather - As the WCT is in a temperate rainforest climate, be prepared for rain. Rainfall averages 130 inches per year with heavy rainfall possible at any time, especially in May and June. Be prepared for slippery conditions on muddy trails, wooden boardwalks, boulders, and rocky shorelines.
Tide - The tide will frequently dictate whether you can take the (often easier) coastal route or not. You’ll receive a tide table at orientation to help you plan your route.
Bears - The WCT is in bear country. Always use the provided food storage lockers at each campsite, and never store food or any wildlife attractant in your tent.
Links & Resources
Parks Canada
•
West Coast Trail
•
Permit Reservations
•
Hiker Preparation Guide
Shuttle
•
West Coast Trail Express