West Coast Trail
9 days. A sustained, challenging backpacking expedition on the southwest coast.
Explore full WCTHiking adventures
Coastal hiking is not one kind of experience
On Vancouver Island, a guided hiking trip can be a demanding backpacking expedition, a shorter journey on a renowned coastal trail, or day hikes from a base camp. Choosing well is about your preferred style of travel as much as your fitness.
Consider whether you want to carry your camp from place to place or explore with a lighter pack. Then consider how remote you want to go and how many days you have.
Find your hiking style
Backpacking or base camp?
Our coastal hiking tours vary considerably in physical commitment, trip length and daily routine.
| Hiking style | What to expect | Where to explore |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition backpacking | Carry your gear along the route, camp at successive sites, and prepare for uneven terrain and variable weather | West Coast South · North Island |
| Shorter backpacking | Experience a section of coastal trail within a smaller time commitment | West Coast South |
| Base-camp day hiking | Explore on day hikes while keeping your main camp in one location | Juan de Fuca Base Camp |
| Developing Flores Island hike | A proposed three-day coastal hiking experience; not yet bookable | Wildside Trail |
West Coast Trail & Juan de Fuca
West Coast South hiking
Choose a full coastal expedition, a shorter trail journey, or day hiking from a base camp.
Half West Coast Trail
5 days. A substantial West Coast Trail journey without completing the full route.
Explore half WCT
Mini West Coast Trail
4 days. A shorter coastal adventure with a smaller time commitment.
Explore mini WCT
Juan de Fuca Trail
6 days. A backpacking journey along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
Explore Juan de Fuca
Juan de Fuca Base Camp
5 days. Day hikes from a base camp, without carrying a full backpack every day.
Explore base camp
Mini Juan de Fuca
2 or 3 days. A shorter introduction to the coastal trail experience.
Explore mini Juan de FucaCape Scott, Nootka & beyond
North Island hiking
More remote options often mean more demanding routes and greater logistical commitment.
North Coast Trail
9 days. A strenuous, extended expedition around the far north coast.
Explore North Coast
Cape Scott Explorer
6 days. More time to discover Cape Scott beaches, lighthouse and history.
Explore Cape Scott
Nootka Island Trail
6 days. Remote island backpacking with distinctive floatplane access.
Explore Nootka Island
Hesquiat Peninsula Trail
6 days. A challenging journey along remote Pacific shoreline.
Explore HesquiatIn development
Wildside Trail, Flores Island
We are developing a three-day hiking experience on Flores Island, combining coastal rainforest and Pacific beaches. Dates and booking details have not yet been published.
Learn about Wildside
Choosing well
Think about the route and the load
A longer itinerary does not always tell the full story of difficulty. Mud, roots, shoreline obstacles, weather and remoteness all influence the experience.
If you prefer staying in one camp and carrying a daypack, compare the Juan de Fuca Base Camp option with the through-hikes.
Talk through your options
Tell us what kind of travel you enjoy, how much time you have and what you hope to experience.
Ask our teamThe Coastal Bliss approach
Thoughtful journeys, meaningful experiences
Our guides handle the planning and practical details while inviting curiosity, attentiveness and care for the people and places we encounter.