West Coast Trail and Area

Heritage Past and Present
As one of the three geographic units that compose the Pacific Rim National Park reserve, the West Coast Trail features a unique portion of Canada’s landscape and history. Sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, sea arches, sea stacks and beaches compose the stunning pacific coastline backed by a towering rainforest community. This rugged and harsh environment has meant many things to many people; Native peoples, lighthouse keepers, shipwreck survivors, homesteaders, prospectors, missionaries and others were affected by the shores, wind, waves and tides. Over the years, this stunning but treacherous stretch of coastline became known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific". Today, most people visit this coastline on land and by foot. They come to experience the beauty of and be challenged by the most arduous and dynamic hiking trails in the world: the West Coast Trail.

The Challenge
This 75 kilometre hiking trail (Pachena Bay to Gordon River) is internationally known for being rugged and challenging. It demands stamina and proficiency in wilderness hiking and camping skills. Prospective West Coast Trail hikers must understand that hiking this trail is not without personal risk; accidents and injuries are common. The trail is for experienced hikers in good physical condition who are prepared to have a wilderness experience and adhere to proper back-country etiquette. This hike is not suitable for novice hikers or children under twelve. This is a wilderness trail; hazards are numerous. Human interference with the environment is kept to a minimum.

Is your group really ready for this hike? Hikers must be self-sufficient, prepared for adverse weather conditions, slippery difficult terrain, creek fording, long days and heavy packs. Foul weather can strike at any time and hikers must be prepared to wait out storms and high water at creek crossings. Hikers wishing to hike the West Coast Trail with a commercial guide may contact the park for a list of guides that operate in the park. Please remember that an experienced guide does not compensate for lack of experience in other group members. If you or your fellow hikers are ill-equipped, inexperienced, unfit, or are plagued by recurring injuries, the West Coast Trail could easily turn into a dangerous endurance test.

West Coast Trail Policy

• The trail is open from June 1 to September 30 and closed October 1 to May 31 (due to extremely dangerous conditions)
• In 1992, a quota system was put into effect to reduce over-crowding and ecological degradation of the West Coast Trail unit of the National Park Reserve
• Each day, between June 1 and September 30 inclusive, the quota allows 26 hikers (20 reserved and 6 waitlisted) to start at each end of the Trail (Pachena Bay and Gordon River)
• At present, the West Coast Trail quota system allows for 8,000 overnight users per year
• To assist in offsetting the cost of operating the West Coast Trail, a trail use fee is in effect for overnight users of the trail
• Starting points on the West Coast Trail are Pachena Bay (north) and Gordon River (south)
• Exit points are Pachena Bay, Gordon River and Nitinat Lake. These are the only sanctioned entrance or exit points on the trail. Entrance or exit at any other point is not permitted unless evacuation is required
• All those overnighting in the West Coast Trail unit of the park must carry a Trail Use Permit
• Day users must obtain a free Day Use Permit from one of the Park Information / Registration Centres before hiking in the West Coast Trail unit of the park. Day hikers using ferries are subject to ferry fees
• Hikers without Trail Use Permits will not be permitted to complete their hike and will not be provided ferry service
• School groups, non-profit educational groups and commercial guiding groups must contact the park directly for information about eligibility and bookings
• A Trail Use Permit will not be issued to children under the age of 6
• Pets and firearms are not permitted on the West Coast Trail
• Due to weather, natural, financial or operational concerns ,the West Coast Trail may not be accessible to the public

Where to Start Hiking
Gordon River (south) requires a ferry trip to the Gordon River trailhead. Ferries run on a regular schedule. The southern section of the West Coast Trail is rugged and difficult. It takes a minimum of two days to travel the 22 kilometres from Gordon River to Walbran Creek. Most hikers find the hiking conditions less rigorous as they head north. Pachena Bay (north) is easier to access because no ferry trip is required. The northern half of the West Coast Trail is not as difficult as the southern half and your backpack will be lighter by the time you reach the rougher, southern half of the trail.

West Coast Trail Ferries
There are two major water crossings on the West Coast Trail, requiring ferry services: the Gordon River and the Nitinat Narrows. Each crossing is $12.50 per person and is payable at the Park Information / Registration Centre when you register. To cross the rivers, you must show your Trail Use Permit to the ferry operators. Hikers without a valid permit will be denied passage.

How to Obtain a Permit
There are two methods of obtaining a Trail Use Permit: either make a reservation or participate in the waitlist system.

How to obtain quota spaces via the reservation system
Hikers wanting to ensure a space within the quota system for the hiking season may make a reservation up to three months in advance of their intended hiking start date. Reservations begin April 1st and may be made seven days a week between 7 am and 6 pm (PST/PDT). To make a reservation, call the Super Natural British Columbia Reservation System at:

(604) 435-5622 Greater Vancouver

1-800-435-5622 Canada and USA

(250) 387-1642 International

A non-refundable reservation fee of $25 (CDN) per person is required at the time of booking. This fee covers the cost of the reservations and information package (the Hiker Preparation Guide and the official water resistance West Coast Trail map) and shipping fees.

When you call, you must have the following information ready:

• intended start date and two alternate start dates
• from which trailhead you plan to start your hike 
• number of hikers in your group 
• a mailing address (your information package will be sent to this address) 
• valid credit card (either Visa or MasterCard) to pay for your reservations ($25 per hiker). Invalid or expired cards will result in cancelled reservations

Changes to your reservation or your start date may only be made through the Super Natural British Columbia Reservation Service, provided that space is available on your new intended start date.

How to obtain quota spaces via the waitlist system
Six waitlist spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day at both the Gordon River and Pachena Bay Park Information/Registration Centres. In addition, any unused overnight quota spaces, cancellations and no-show reservations will be assigned to hikers by the waitlist system. Waitlist spaces will be allocated at 1 pm each day from both of the Information/Registration Centres. During peak season (July to mid-September), hikers may wait an average of one to three days to obtain a Trail Use Permit via the waitlist system.

Transportation to and From the West Coast Trail
Hikers must make their own arrangements for all transportation to and from the trail.

West Coast Trail Express Bus Inc.
3954 Bow Rd.
Victoria, BC V8N 3B1
Phone (250) 477-8700 or 1-888-999-2288
Email: bus@trailbus.com
Website: www.trailbus.com

To Pachena Bay Info /Registration Centre near Bamfield:

• Private vehicle from Port Alberni 1.5 hours, or from Duncan, three hours on gravel logging roads
• Bus from Victoria four hours, or Nanaimo three hours (West Coast Trail Express Bus Inc.)
• Bus from Port Alberni 1.5 hours (West Coast Trail Express Bus Inc.)
• Passenger ferry from Port Alberni four hours (Alberni Marine Transport Ltd.)

To Gordon River Info/Registration Centre near Port Renfrew:

• Private vehicle from Victoria two hours via paved and winding Highway #12
• Bus from Victoria two hours (West Coast Trail Express)
• Between Port Renfrew, Nitinat and Bamfield
• Private vehicle  three hours on gravel logging roads
• Bus three hours (West Coast Trail Express Bus Inc.)
• Ferry four hours (Juan de Fuca Express Water Taxi)
• Nitinat Narrows to Nitinat Village
• Ferry leaves Nitinat Narrows at approximately 5 pm every night, one hour (Nitinat Lake Water Taxi)

Air charter services may also be available to and from adjacent communities. Hitchhiking is not recommended.

At the Trailheads
Accommodation, camping and limited services are available in the Bamfield, Port Renfrew and Nitinat Village areas. There are no banking or cash advance facilities in the village of Bamfield, Port Renfrew or at the Park Info/Registration Centres. All overnight users of the West Coast Trail must participate in a thirty minute orientation session, pay the trail use fee, the ferry fees and register on the trail before they are issued a Trail Use Permit. This takes approximately one and one-half hours. Orientation sessions are offered at 9:30 am, noon, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Hikers may register as early as 3:30 pm the day before their hike start date. Hikers arriving late on their registration date for their reserved time must contact the Info/Registration Centre beforehand, to prevent their reserved space from being given to hikers on the waitlist. The trail use fee is $70 per person. It is mandatory, non-refundable and is in addition to the $25 registration fee. Ferry fees are payable at the Park Info/Registration Centre. Anticipated ferry fees are $12.50 per person per crossing for both the Nitinat Narrows and the Gordon River crossings. At the park Info/Registration Centre, payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Debit, Canadian currency and traveller's cheques (Canadian currency only). Currently, the total cost to hike the entire trail is $120.

On the Trail
Balancing protection and recreational use of Canada’s National Parks is the responsibility of all park users. Read and understand the Hiker Preparation Guide before commencing your hike. This guide is also available at all entrances to the trail. The following suggestions provide some guidance to park users:

• Understand and practice low impact camping;
• Come well equipped, with good outdoor gear with which you are familiar;
• Think of your feet. Wear only sturdy footwear that is broken-in;
• Cook on a lightweight backpackers stove. Do not rely on fires;
• Consider food carefully; keep it lightweight, nutritious and low odour. Store food carefully if unattended;
• Be water-wise. Treat, filter or boil all water collected from streams;
• Pack it in and out; everything you bring in, you must take back out, without exception;
• Carry a West Coast Trail map with information about tide heights, impassable headlands, etc.;
• Carry the Tide Tables for Tofino and a reliable watch. Know how to read a tide table;
• Beware of wildlife. Understand the correct behaviour around black bears and cougars;
• Hazardous weather conditions may occur at any time. Pack appropriately and be prepared to wait out storms and high water at stream crossings;
• Know the abilities of all your group members. Avoid unreasonable deadlines; travel may take longer than expected.

For more information, contact:
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Long Beach Info Centre
P.O. Box 280 Phone (250) 726-4212
Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0

Phone (250) 726-7721
Fax (250) 726-4720
http://parkscan.harbour.com/pacrim

Pachena Bay Info/Registration Centre
Phone (250) 728-3234

Gordon River Info/Registration Centre
Phone (250) 647-543