Route guide · Powell River, British Columbia
Canada's longest hut-to-hut route: 180 km from Sarah Point to Saltery Bay, with more than a dozen free first-come huts spaced a day apart. Most crews hike it in sections — Tin Hat Mountain and Walt Hill make natural multi-day highlights — and the huts mean a tent is optional in shoulder season.
no permit lottery · self-register at the trailhead · the whole crew on one page
No permit quota — Free — no permits or reservations; huts are first-come, first-served (PRPAWS maintains the route). Official info
No quota permit. Free — no permits or reservations; huts are first-come, first-served (PRPAWS maintains the route).
Most groups take sections of 2–10+ days. The reference itinerary here plans 9 nights, camp to camp.
April – October. Outside that window expect snow, storm damage or closures to change the plan.
Dates, camps, gear split, meals and the crew — planned together on one page instead of forty threads.
Start a trip — it’s free32 campsites
Expand map ↓Powell River, British Columbia · updated daily
Route profile · camps
Day by day
Camps below are mapped campsites spaced to balance the daily miles — the same planner that builds a Trailmix trip. Your dates, pace and direction reshape it live.
Trailhead → Manzanita Bluff Hut
The trail to Manzanita Bluff Hut begins with coastal views before heading inland and climbing to the hut, a popular spot for its expansive views of the Salish Sea.
no water at hut
passes Sarah Point Campsite (0.4 mi) · Feather Cove Campsite (1.7 mi) · Bliss Portage Hut (5.1 mi)
Manzanita Bluff Hut → Appleton Creek Campsite
passes unnamed site (15.3 mi) · Homestead Creek Campsite (17.6 mi) · Rieveley Pond Hut (19.6 mi)
Appleton Creek Campsite → Tony's Point
passes unnamed site (23.1 mi) · unnamed site (24.8 mi)
Tony's Point → Camp 4
passes Haywire Bay Regional Park Campsite (35.4 mi) · Inland Lake Campground (39.1 mi) · Anthony Island (41.0 mi) · Confederation Lake Hut (44.1 mi)
Camp 4 → Camp 5
passes Fiddlehead Landing Hut (47.9 mi) · unnamed site (48.6 mi)
Camp 5 → Elk Lake Cabin
passes Tin Hat Hut (62.1 mi)
Elk Lake Cabin → Walt Hill Hut
A relatively short but challenging leg connecting Elk Lake Cabin to Walt Hill Hut, which sits on a bluff with excellent views overlooking the Horseshoe Valley.
blueberry fields
passes Coyote Lake Campground (78.6 mi)
Walt Hill Hut → Camp 8
passes unnamed site (91.8 mi) · unnamed site (92.0 mi) · Lois Point Recreation Site (92.7 mi) · Golden Stanley Hut (94.6 mi)
Camp 8 → Fairview Bay Hut
Fairview Bay Hut → Exit trailhead
passes Rainy Day Lake Hut (117.6 mi)
HUT ETIQUETTE — Huts are shared, first-come, first-served spaces for single-night stays only. Groups of 8 or more should use campsites. Dogs are not allowed inside any huts.
LOGGING ROADS — Many access points use active industrial logging roads. A reliable shuttle is recommended as these roads require 4x4 vehicles and VHF radio communication.
hikesnearvancouver.ca · riseandalpine.com · wikipedia.org · sunshinecoasttrail.com
From March 2 to June 10, 2026, a section of the trail near Saltery Bay / Jervis Inlet North will be closed for a BC Hydro project. An alternate route will be available at all times. Recreation Sites and Trails BC · current season
All advisories →Best months
share of dry days · Open-Meteo Archive (ERA5), 10-year normals at the trailhead
TRAILHEADS
The 180 km point-to-point trail is typically hiked north to south, starting at Sarah Point and ending at the Saltery Bay ferry terminal.
qPAWS
WATER SOURCES
Water is found in lakes and creeks, but seasonal sources can be dry; all water should be treated before use.
qPAWS
HUTS & CAMPING
Huts and campsites are free and first-come, first-served; donations to the maintaining organization, qPAWS, are encouraged.
qPAWS
WILDLIFE
Bears, cougars and wolves are present; carry bear spray, make noise, and store food securely in bear caches or hung away from camp.
qPAWS
TRANSPORTATION
Multiple operators offer shuttle and water taxi services to access trailheads, which are often on remote logging roads.
qPAWS
RESUPPLY
Shuttle services can drop resupply packages at various road access points, and some local businesses will hold packages for hikers.
Sunshine Coast Shuttle
No, all but two huts are free and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. They cannot be reserved.
Yes, dogs are permitted on the trail but must be on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed inside any of the huts.
No, cell reception is sporadic and should not be relied upon. It is most likely to be found on slopes and ridges facing the Salish Sea or Powell River.
SAT 08·22
70° / 60°
rain · 80%
SUN 08·23
69° / 58°
rain · 100%
MON 08·24
73° / 55°
part sun · 0%
TUE 08·25
75° / 57°
cloud · 4%
WED 08·26
69° / 62°
showers · 35%