| West Coast Trail FAQ
The West Coast Trail is OPEN May 1 to September 30, 2020. Beginning 8:00 am (PST) on January 6, 2020, reservations for the West Coast Trail can be made for any date between May 1 and September 30. The West Coast Trail is located in the Pacific Rim National Park. The park is broken into three units The Long Beach Unit. (Tofino - Ucluelet), The Broken Group Islands Unit, the canal water-way inlet to Port Alberni, and in between Amphitrite Point (Ucluelet) and Bamfield, and the southern portion "The West Coast Trail" Unit, from Cape Beale or Pacheena Bay/Bamfield to Port Renfrew. By the way, "Port Renfrew" or "The West Coast Trail Unit", is hardly advertised by Parks Canada web site, in comparison to its more famous "Long Beach Unit", Tofino, BC in the North. You can start your West Coast Trail hike from the Port Renfrew end if you prefer. The town is small but has just about everything a hiker would want for excellent dining, lodging and transportation back to Victoria via West Coast Trail Express Bus. Port Renfrew San Juan Bay has a 2 km long beach belonging to the Pacheedaht First Nation, and for a small fee you can camp on it! A visit to Port Renfrew is a must see! Don't forget the sister hiking trail, Juan de fuca Marine Trail. West Coast Trail Advisory - is posted outside Parks Canada Administration Building, Port Renfrew as the "West Coast Trail Advisory" bulletin. Information might include bear or cougar sightings in certain areas, weather advisories, tsunami and earthquake alerts and more. West Coast Trail Preparation Guide - "All persons planning to hike the West Coast Trail MUST read and understand the material in this guide to prepare for their hike". Safety & Staying Healthy IMPORTANT READ! Tide Tables San Juan Bay/Port Renfrew Tide Tables. Geo-history - A brief history of settlement along the West Coast of Vancouver Island. West Coast Trail Parks Canada web site. WCT REVIEWS - Stories by those who have hiked the trail. Story 1 - Story 2 - Story 3 - Story 4 - Story 5 - Story 6 - Story 7 - Story 8 Photos and History along the West Coast Trail from Bamfield to Port Renfrew, BC, Canada. Construction photos along the West Coast Trail from Port Renfrew to Bamfield, BC, Canada. |