Backpacking the Nootka Island Trail in BC

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 6-day hiking tour along the Nootka Island Trail
  • Pick-up and drop-off to the meeting point
  • All park fees and camping fees
  • Group equipment (bear spray, water purification, hatchet, bum pad)
  • All meals (except on travel days)
  • Tent (shared)
  • Gear rental options

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to the meeting point (Nanaimo)
  • National Park entry fees
  • Accommodation before and after the tour
  • Some meals — details in the itinerary
  • Backpack — available for rent
  • Sleeping bags or mats — available for rent
  • Guide gratuities — optional ($10-20 per day per guide is recommended)

The Nootka Island Trail is a 37-kilometer (23-mile) trail which will be dispersed over the course of 6 days. Some days are longer than others, but you still need to have great fitness as you’ll be carrying a 33-43 pound backpack (15-20 kg) all the way through. Apart from that, the trail and terrain can get tricky at times.

Interested in some other hiking tours in Canada? Check out this hiking adventure along the majestic West Coast Trail, one to three days of hiking in Revelstoke, or an all-women hiking holiday in Canada.

Travel as light as possible with necessities and have as many things as possible be dual use. Typical final pack weights (with food and tent) are between 33 and 43 pounds (15-20 kg). When you’re packing, you’re doing so without food, group gear, and tent, so make sure your target pre-trip backpack weight without all of it as well as water is 22–27 pounds (10-12.25 kg), lower is better. Once you meet your guide, you’ll add the rest to your backpack.

Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring:

• • Full rain gear
  • Hiking boots — high-top and waterproof, as you will walk through water, make sure they’re not older than about 8 years (due to the effective life of glue)
  • Water shoes — no flip flops, get sandals that wrap your ankles
  • Toque / wool or fleece hat
  • Hiking pants and shorts
  • Hiking shirts
  • Jacket / fleece — Thinsulate or Thermaloft are great, lighter and warmer than fleece, though fleece will do
  • Socks — wool socks are best
  • Underwear
  • Swimwear
  • Gaiters

Here’s a list of the equipment and personal items you need to bring:

• • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (at least a 60L bag) — can be rented
  • Backpack rain cover
  • Sleeping bag (0°, but feel free to go lower if you’re cold-natured. It should be lightweight and synthetic, avoid down sleeping bags unless you know how to keep down dry in a wet environment)
  • Sleeping pad (closed cell foam is adequate, Thermarest and similar add comfort)
  • Hydration system (2L minimum dromedary bag is best, though a water bottle works well enough)
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Canadian cash
  • Sunhat and sunglasses
  • Garbage / ziplock bags for waterproofing purposes
  • Towel
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, toothbrush, etc.)
  • First aid (bandages, blister bandages, tensor bandage, duct tape (2-3 mm layer), medications and prescription meds—bring an extra set to give to the guide as backup)
  • Headlamp or flashlight (bring extra batteries)
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

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:

• • For this backpacking adventure along the Nootka Island Trail, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The maximum group size is 8.
  • It takes at least 4 clients for the tour to run.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Backpacking along the Nootka Island Trail can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Nanaimo, the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Connect to Vancouver Island using ferry, bus, or air. From there, you can reach Nanaimo by ferry or plane. If you’re traveling from afar, make sure to arrive a day early since you’ll be meeting your guide early in the morning of Day 1.

You’ll meet your guide on Day 1 in Departure Bay, Duke Point Ferry Terminal. Here’s a list of other possible meeting locations and accommodations a day prior to and after the tour.

• • Days Inn Harbour View Nanaimo
    Address: 809 Island Hwy South, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, V9R 5K1
    Phone (250) 754-8171
    Website: www.nanaimohotel.com
  • Best Western Dorchester Hotel
    Address: 70 Church, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, V9R 5H4
    Phone: (250) 754-6835
    Website: www.dorchesternanaimo.com
  • Painted Turtle Guesthouse
    Address: 121 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia CANADA, V9R 3A2
    Toll Free: 1-866-309-4432
    Phone: (250) 753-4432

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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Nootka, British Columbia, please refer to BC’s COVID-19 travel guidance.

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!