Route guide · Vancouver Island, British Columbia

West Coast Trail

The classic 75 km shipwreck-coast traverse through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, between Pachena Bay and Gordon River. Ladders, cable cars, surge channels and long beach sections make the mileage slower than the numbers suggest, and several stretches are only passable at lower tides. Camps are beach camps beside creeks, and the crab shack at Nitinaht Narrows is the mid-trail resupply ritual.

Length: 47.2 mi
Duration: 6–8 days
Gain: +5,190 ft
Season: May – Sep

point-to-pointhigh point 643 ftno reliable cell serviceno dogs

Plan this trip — it’s free See the day-by-day

permit required · we track who booked what · the whole crew on one page

Permit required — Parks Canada overnight-use permit with a seasonal quota — reserve ahead; includes two ferry crossings and orientation. Official info

The shape of the trail

Route profile · camps + tidal sections

camppassable only at lower tideselevation

Each dashed line marks a headland the route can only get around when the tide is low enough — plan those days around the official tide tables, not just the miles.

Day by day

A reference itinerary, from real camps

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.

Total47.2 mi · 6 nights

Days on trail

Day 1 · 7.3 mi · +940 ft
Trailhead → Michigan Creek Camp
From the northern trailhead, this first leg to Michigan Creek Camp is a relatively easy introduction to the trail with forested sections.
Day 2 · 2.7 mi · +30 ft
Michigan Creek Camp → Tsocowis Creek Camp
A short connector between Michigan Creek and Tsocowis Creek camps, allowing for a more relaxed pace through the forest.
passes Darling River Camp (8.4 mi) · Orange Juice Creek Camp (8.8 mi)
Day 3 · 5.2 mi · +780 ft · hardest
Tsocowis Creek Camp → Tsusiat Falls Camp
A long and demanding day from Klanawa River to Cribs Creek Camp, with numerous ladders and muddy sections in the forest.
ladders and mud
passes Klanawa River Camp (13.5 mi)
Day 4 · 17.9 mi · +2,260 ft
Tsusiat Falls Camp → Walbran Creek Camp
A substantial hike from Tsusiat Falls to Bonilla Creek, this section includes the notable Carmanah Lighthouse.
lighthouse views
Day 5 · 6 mi · +140 ft
Walbran Creek Camp → Camper Bay Camp
From Cribs Creek to Walbran Creek Camp, this leg involves a significant creek crossing that can be difficult in high water.
major creek crossing
passes Cullite Creek Camp (36.2 mi)
Day 6 · 4.8 mi · +630 ft
Camper Bay Camp → Thrasher Cove Camp
A very short and flat connector between Carmanah Creek and Bonilla Creek, offering a brief respite.
easy connector
Day 7 · 3.4 mi · +340 ft
Thrasher Cove Camp → Exit trailhead
A long and arduous journey from Bonilla Creek to the southern trailhead, encompassing the most challenging terrain of the entire trail.
most difficult section

Conditions at the trailhead

Vancouver Island, British Columbia · updated daily

SAT 08·22

63° / 57°

cloud · 19%

SUN 08·23

62° / 56°

showers · 22%

MON 08·24

67° / 52°

cloud · 1%

TUE 08·25

71° / 56°

cloud · 1%

WED 08·26

62° / 55°

showers · 43%

Tidal route — Sections of this route are only passable at lower tides — the profile above marks them at their real mile. Heights come from the official tide tables, never from us; a Trailmix plan pulls the NOAA windows into each day automatically.

MUD AND LADDERS — The trail is famous for its extensive ladder systems and deep mud, especially in the southern sections, which significantly slow down travel time.

Know before you go

canada.ca · parkscanadahistory.com · reddit.com · coastalbliss.ca

Best months

share of dry days · Open-Meteo Archive (ERA5), 10-year normals at the trailhead

TRAILHEADS

The trail has three official entry and exit points: Pachena Bay (north), Gordon River (south), and a mid-point at Balaats'adt (Nitinaht Village).

Parks Canada

WATER

Potable water is available from most creeks and rivers along the trail, but must be purified, boiled, or filtered before drinking.

Parks Canada

CELL SERVICE

Cell service is unreliable and should not be expected on the trail, though some hikers report intermittent connections to US towers on beaches.

Parks Canada

CAMPING FEE

An overnight use permit is required for all hikers on the West Coast Trail, in addition to a national park entry pass.

Parks Canada

TIDES

Hikers are provided with a tide table at the mandatory pre-hike briefing as many beach sections are impassable at high tide.

Parks Canada

GETTING BACK

The West Coast Trail Express provides a shuttle bus service between the trailheads at Pachena Bay and Gordon River, as well as to Victoria and Nanaimo.

West Coast Trail Express

What this trail asks of your kit

From the trail-researched checklist Trailmix builds for crews hiking this route.

Backpack — To carry all personal gear and supplies for 7 days on rugged terrain.
Pack liner/cover — Essential for keeping gear dry in frequent rain and sea spray.
Stuff sacks/dry bags — Organize gear and provide an extra layer of waterproofing.
Food storage bags — To protect food from moisture and animals.
Tent with rainfly — Provides essential protection from rain and wind.
Tent footprint — Adds a protective layer to the tent floor against abrasion.

Asked around the fire (about this trail)

Do I need a permit for the West Coast Trail?

Yes. Parks Canada overnight-use permit with a seasonal quota — reserve ahead; includes two ferry crossings and orientation.

How many days does the West Coast Trail take?

Most groups take 6–8 days. The reference itinerary here plans 6 nights, camp to camp.

When is the best time to hike the West Coast Trail?

May – September. Outside that window expect snow, storm damage or closures to change the plan.

Is the West Coast Trail tide-dependent?

Yes — sections of this route are only passable at lower tides, so the daily plan needs real tide windows, not just distances. Check the official tide tables for the crossings before you commit to a beach section; Trailmix plans each day around them automatically.

Do I need to book the shuttle bus in advance?

Yes, it is highly recommended to reserve your seat on the West Coast Trail Express bus in advance, especially during peak season, as there is only one departure per day from each trailhead.

Can I have a campfire on the beach?

Campfires may be permitted on the beach below the high tide line, depending on current fire restrictions. Always check with Parks Canada for the most up-to-date regulations.

What is the hardest part of the trail?

The southern section of the trail, between Gordon River and Walbran Creek, is widely considered to be the most challenging due to its rugged terrain, numerous ladders, and deep mud.

Get the West Coast Trail in the bag.

Dates, camps, tide windows, gear split, meals and the crew — planned together on one page instead of forty threads.

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