West Coast Trail

The route runs between the Pachena Bay trailhead near Bamfield and the Gordon River trailhead near Port Renfrew. Starting from Pachena Bay, head south on the West Coast Trail. The path begins on relatively flat trail through dense coastal forest. At 6.1 miles/9.8 kilometers, pass the Pachena Point Lighthouse on the right. Proceed southwest along beach sections and inland forest trails, utilizing wooden ladders to navigate steep ravines. At 15.3 miles/24.6 kilometers, reach Tsusiat Falls. Continue south, alternating between sandy beaches, slippery sandstone shelves, and muddy inland tracks. Take the water taxi across the Nitinaht Narrows at 19.7 miles/31.7 kilometers. Continue southwest and pass by Carmanah Point Lighthouse on the right at 27.7 miles/44.6 kilometers. Crux: Traveling north to south, the brutal southern section between Walbran Creek at 33.2 miles/53.4 kilometers and the Gordon River ferry at the end of the route — roughly the final 14 miles/22 kilometers of the trail — hits on fatigued legs. High suspension bridges, vertical ladders, boulder beaches, surge channels, and tide-dependent headland scrambles (including Owen Point, impassable at high tide) demand the most from hikers. Check tide tables before leaving Walbran Creek and budget significantly more time per kilometer than any previous day on the trail. From Owen Point at 42.5 miles/68.4 kilometers follow the trail to the north until reaching the dock at the mouth of Gordon River at 47.6 miles/76.6 kilometers. Cross the Gordon River via ferry to reach the southern trailhead near Port Renfrew.