Tofino Hiking
Hiking the Tofino trails
Some of the best wilderness hiking on Vancouver Island can be found around Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park. You can choose to hike some of the relatively easy trails or embark on something more challenging. The many trails around Tofino cater to the casual to those who like to hike in the middle of rugged temperate old growth forest. You can experience and explore some of the trails over sandy beaches, and experience the beauty of this enormous park. Come prepared to explore the backcountry, and discover the fuana and flora along the trails.
Photo used under Creative Commons from andruby.
Radar Hill Hiking Trail and Lookout
This trail is not on the Pacific Rim National Park map and is not maintained. Hikers are advised to be prepared when hiking the Radar Hill Trail – many people have become lost on this trail and have caused unnecessary costs to the park in rescue efforts. Take the Radar Hill turnoff and follow the road to the top of the hill. The trail head is at a small opening in the trees to the left-hand side of the deck/platform (facing the ocean) that juts out over the forest.
Schooner Cove Hiking Trail
The Schooner Cover hiking trail a 1km hike that leads to an often secluded Schooner Cover beach at the north end of Long Beach. Access to the trail is from Pacific Rim Hwy near Long Beach. The trail is a wonderful trail to experience the magnificent tempaerate rainforest and the wonder of the sandy beach. The boardwalk through rainforest is an easy beginning then continues with some ups and downs.
Florencia Bay Beach Trail
Florencia Bay Beach Trail is a short 1 km trail close to the Wickaninnish Centre. The trail starts at the parking lot. The trail is relatively wide, and level along the path to the view point and information plaques. The path then continues leading down through a set of steps to the wonderful open Florencia Bay Beach which is also known locally as as Wreck Bay. The beach is wide, sandy, quiet populated with big rock outcroppings with lots of driftwood, sand and pebbles.
Rain Forest Hiking Trail
There are two different boardwalk trails consisted of 1 km walks through the ancient rainforest of the Pacific Rim National Park. The trail invloves some stair climbing, and along the trail you can admire the giant trees, soft hanging moss, dense ferns with open inviting fronds and other forest plants. The trail can be accessed from Pacific Rim Hwy near Long Beach.
Shorepine Bog Trail
This 1.5 km loop is filled with rainforests and various vegetation transformed by the ocean winds. The short boardwalk trail leads hikers through poorly drained, moss-covered bogs. The trail is located off Wickaninnish Road, just west of the Florencia Bay road. Access from Pacific Rim Hwy at Combers Beach Parking Lot.
South Beach Trail
The 1.5km South Beach Trail begins on a path and continues on a boardwalk that runs along beachfront and forest line. The crashing waves at South Beach and the rolling stones produce the magical “sounds of the rolling stones” which is unique to South Beach of Tofino. Access to the trail is from Wickaninnish Road and Interpretive Center.
Wickaninnish Trail
This 5km walk through the dense rainforest links Long Beach to Florencia Bay. On the Long Beach end the trail is accessed via a fork off the South Beach Trail, at the top of the first hill. The parking lot at Florencia Bay is the eastern trailhead for the Wickaninnish Trail. This trail can be muddy – hiking boots are a must. Access from Wickaninnish Road at the Wickaninnish Center.
Big Tree Trail, Meares Island
The Big Tree trail begins as a boardwalk leading you past through the stunning cedar forest to the Hanging Garden Tree at the end of the boardwalk. The trail is not difficult, and parts of the boardwalk are narrow and uneven. The trail is mostly level ground with some small stair sections. The trees are huge old growth with circumference of 18.3 meters and a height of 42.7 meters!
Willowbrae / Half Moon Bay Trail
The Willowbrae to Half Moon Bay trail is a beautiful hike on a gentle trail through cool, shady forest. The remains of an old corduroy road can be seen along the trail, and there are typically not many people around.This 3.5km wooded forest trail with very steep stairs & ramps descend through the rainforest leads to a beautiful cove named Half Moon Bay or the open misty sea sprayed beaches at Florencia Bay.
