Towering cedars and spruces rise above, the iconic West Coast Trail unwinds ahead. Rugged coastline alternates with lush rainforest interspersed with bridges and ladders. On your way you encounter a myriad of tide pools and waterfalls, you are greeted by graceful deer and colonies of seals, you see eagles in the sky and whales in the ocean. Every unturned stone hides something new, every grain of sand has a story to tell. The 47-mile trail was put in place to help the survivors of shipwrecks in the treacherous nearby waters, dubbed the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. Today part of the Pacific Rim National Park, West Coast Trail is considered by many the world’s best coastal backpacking trail—and dares you to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
Sense the wilderness of one of the world’s best coastal trails
Camp on the beaches and make lasting memories around the campfire
Discover incredible flora, fauna, and the history of the Pacific Coast
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
To participate in the West Coast Trail hiking tour, you have to be in very good physical shape. You will be backpacking for 7 days, with daily hiking lasting for up to 10 hours (usually between 4 and 6 hours) while carrying a loaded backpack. You should have previous multi-day trekking experience, but you needn’t necessarily have experience with camping and backpacking. You should be able to climb ladders and endure some ascents and descents in tough terrain with many roots and rugged coastal features. Keep in mind that you will take many breaks during your hikes and that you will always have a guide by your side during your West Coast Trail hiking trip to help you in any aspect of trekking or camping.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking along the West Coast Trail can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
To get to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, where your tour starts, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport which is 2.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service (bus and ferry).
You will meet your guide at Departure Bay, downtown Nanaimo, or Duke Point between 8 and 9 am (specific time will be confirmed the day before the tour starts).
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, please refer to British Columbia’s Travel and COVID-19 website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
