The 10 Best Hiking Trails in Vancouver Island, Canada

The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet and is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.

West Coast Trail has the reputation of being on of the most excutiating treks in North America, rewarding you with stunning backdrops in a cultural and historical landscape. West Coast Trail is a hiking trail that follows along the southwestern shoreline of Vancouver Island. It has infamous weather, where thousands of people come to storm watch. In fact, the weather and tides have been the demise of many catastrophic shipwrecks up until the late 1800's, making the area known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific". Beached survivors often met their makers once they made it to the jagged shoreline, provoking the government to rough-in a trail that is to this day isolated, physically challenging and potentially hazardous. West Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart, but welcomes those ready to take on the 75km challenge, explore the environment and learn a great deal about themselves, both mentally and physically. Can you conquer it?!

Unique park composed of three sections - Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands - that feature sandy beaches, island archipelagos, temperate rainforests and important archaeological sites.

Walk the Wild Side is a 11km hike historically used by the Ahousaht people. Visitors now have the opportunity to experience the culture of the trail while hiking along forest boardwalk and 8 gorgeous beaches. Used by the Ahousaht people for thousands of years, Walk the Wild Side Trail is an 11km escape into the remote wilderness of Clayoquot Sound. First restored in the early 1990’s, Walk the Wild Side Trail has developed into must-see ecotourism destination for those visiting Tofino and Ucluelet. Take a tour through the Maaqtusiis reserve and then head out on to the trail with your Ahousaht Heritage Trail guidebook for the ultimate cultural experience!

A 55-kilometre rail trail between Victoria and Leechtown, which is great for hiking and biking.

Scenic running and hiking trail along the Pacific.

Rainforest Trail has two routes, A & B, both of which fully engulf you in the temperate rainforest full of gigantic western red cedars and western hemlocks. Sparking a sensation of zen, you will be overcome with the nostalgia of your childhood memories, ready to make more. Scan the upper canopy for birds, listen to the trickle of water and smell the life of this highly productive forest. Trail A is located on the opposite side of the highway from the parking lot. Trail B starts from the parking lot.