Picture this: Three good friends who grew up on the Alberta prairies embarked on a 6-night, 7-day coastal trek to explore the wilderness together. The West Coast Trail is 75 kilometers of rugged, technical terrain, featuring unique landscapes and points of interest that will take your breath away.
From sandy beaches and rocky shores, to thick forests and dense canopies, this Vancouver Island adventure isn’t for the faint of heart. You can complete this trek in anywhere from 1 day up to 2 weeks, but generally hikers complete it within 5-8 days.
If you’re a regular Canadian Rockies hiker, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime — because you’re about to experience backpacking like never before. Instead of sheer rocky cliffs and endless mountain ranges, you can expect ocean views, lush green undergrowth and sea life that you just won’t find here in Alberta.
Here are 13 unique features you will discover while backpacking the West Coast Trail (WCT).
Thinking of hiking the WCT yourself? Download our 32-page West Coast Trail Backing Guide for (back)packing lists, daily itineraries, top tips and resources, and so much more!
1. Ladders, Ladders & More Ladders
While chains, ropes and switchbacks are common methods to maneuver around obstacles or gain elevation on Alberta mountain hikes, the West Coast Trail utilizes ladders (and lots of them!). Equipped with ~70 wooden ladders in various states of repair throughout the trail, get ready for strong, toned and likely weary legs at the end of some days!
2. Boardwalks
Vancouver Island’s climate is more humid and wet than Alberta, so you’ll find long stretches of boardwalks covering marshy or swampy areas. The boardwalks are also in various states of repair, with some looking brand new, and others completely rotted through. Sometimes we walked on stable boardwalks for over a kilometer, while other sections were completely collapsed, or made up of old bridges or ladders repurposed to get us from point A to point B.
3. Cable Cars
Thanks to the wet climate, you’ll reach tons of creeks and streams running into the ocean that you’ll have to cross. Oftentimes this is possible by simply stepping on protruding rocks, but when water is running high, you can opt to stay dry and use a cable car. Plop yourself and your bag inside (2-people max), and release. You’ll slowly slide to the middle of the line, and then use your hands to pulley yourself across the water. It’s a surprising amount of work!
4. Wildlife
Get prepared to spot all kinds of animals on the West Coast Trail. We were lucky to see whales, sea lions, bald eagles, crabs and even a few orcas! We also saw a bear at the end of the trail, while we were waiting for the bus. Vancouver Island is home to the elusive grey wolf, as well as cougars, roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer, none of which we saw.
5. Range Of Terrain
Almost every stretch of this hike feels unique, offering an incredible variety of terrain while we traversed anything from the open, breezy beach, to the thick and humid forest. We walked over dirt, mud, sand, gravel, boulders, driftwood, boardwalks, you name it. Sudden drops and rises in elevation via ladders provided stunning views that highlighted the region’s unique landscapes, like bluffs, shelfs, beaches, forests and more.
6. Tides
This was a factor we’d never considered before, with our history hiking majorily in a landlocked province. When hiking any coastal trail, print off a tide table beforehand and make note of the timezone. On the West Coast Trail, you’ll be provided with a detailed map showing what sections of your trek require lower tides. Give yourself plenty of time to cross these areas safely, or else you’ll be forced to take another route or simply wait until it recedes.
7. Ferries
You will take two small boats during your time on the trail. One is at the very start or end of your trip, depending on which way you hike. We took the ferry from our orientation at Gordon River to the south trailhead. The second boat ferried us across the Nitinat Narrows, where the WCT-famous crab shack awaits ravenous hikers near the halfway point. Pro Tip: Those craving the comforts of home, or a dry night, can book cabins here with Nitinat Wilderness Charters.
8. Shipwrecks
The West Coast Trail’s history of a thriving fish and fur industry resulted in a busy ocean with countless ships sailing nearby. The treacherous waters proved fatal to many boats throughout the 1850-1900s, with some remnants still visible on the shores today. Learn more about shipwrecks on the WCT here.
9. Lighthouses
There are two beautifully-kept lighthouses along the trail that you can stop in at, Carmanah and Pachena. It felt like a mirage stumbling upon manicured lawns, paved pathways, a few homes and tended flower beds. Both locations have a drinking water spout, and allow you to explore the property. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a lightkeeper and be able to ask them any questions (we were lucky to at the Pachena Lighthouse).
10. Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Style Of Hiking
Similar to scrambling up a multi-pathed mountain, the West Coast Trail allows you to “choose your own adventure.” If you’re working with low tides, you can opt for the beach instead of the inland trail, and then still further customize your trek by choosing the slippery but wet shelf, the hard-packed sand, or thick, loose gravel. If you choose the inland route, perhaps there’s a wide muddy path with several ways to go around a bog — you get to decide the route you’re most comfortable with (and hopefully avoid muddy boots!). When the terrain gets tricky, we recommend letting the most experienced hiker lead the way.
11. Camping Sites
Unlike backcountry camping in Alberta, there aren’t “mandatory” campsites or tent pads that you must use. There are recommended camping areas throughout the trail with have fresh water sources, bear lockers and outhouses that most hikers use, however you are free to camp anywhere you like on the West Coast Trail. There are always ample forest and beach spots at each recommended camp, so you can again choose your own adventure and decide if you want morning shade, an ocean view, sand underneath, you name it.
12. Restaurants (Say whaaaat?!)
That’s right — there are two different spots you can stop for food along the trail (but only if you’re lucky). The crab shack is a WCT-renowned experience for hikers to chow down a well-deserved meal. Here you can order freshly-caught seafood (like dungeness crab), grilled cheese, baked potato, coffee, alcohol, snacks, camping supplies, etc. If you want to partake, bring cash and an appetite. You’ll also find the Nytom burger shack on the trail, which was unfortunately out of supplies the day we passed by, but we heard nothing short of mouth-watering reviews.
13. The Camaraderie
We love the polite “hellos” and nods on typical hiking trails, but the bonds you form on the West Coast Trail run deeper. You endure days of sweat and solitude in nature with complete strangers — all doing the same crazy thing. As much as we love a solo, quiet hike in nature, this was a unique way to experience a trail. During the day, you hike alone with your group, and at night, you recount your tales to fellow hikers at camp, many of whom you’ll see night after night.
And that’s not all! This is simply a TASTE of what you can experience when hiking the world-famous West Coast Trail.
If you’re curious about backpacking it yourself, or you simply want to learn more about it, download our free West Coast Trail Guide, complete with detailed packing lists, best preparation tips, day-to-day itineraries, top resources, and so much more.
