The West Coast Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Canada. The wet climate has produced a dense forest of cedar, hemlock, fir and spruce. This hike takes you along a magnificent coastline, through lush rainforests, past waterfalls and over creeks and rivers. The beaches along it are filled with sand, tide pools, caves, sandstone formations, marine wildlife and shipwrecks. The forest floor is full of salmonberry, huckleberry, and in some places, devil's club. It is a coastal hike of 77 km with 70 ladders, 130 bridges, and 4 cable cars. .
This report will take you through the West Coast Trail, looking at the best and safest way to hike the trail. It will answer one of the most important questions in planning your hike: Should you start at the north or south end of the trail? .
The report will also answer all your questions about the trail, giving you the history, and rules and regulations of the trail. It will also look at the weather you will encounter, and trail and camping tips. As well it will give you some precautions you will need to take before, and while on, the West Coast Trail. .
Discussion.
How was this great hiking trail formed? It started with a shipwreck back on January 22, 1906. The 253-foot vessel SS Valencia was stranded just north of Klanawa River on Vancouver Island's west coast. The rugged shoreline offered no relief whatsoever and the lives of all 126 passengers were lost. .
This section of the Pacific had been the site of more than 60 shipwrecks since 1854. Because of this tragic event the government constructed a trail between Port Renfrew and Bamfield in case of future shipwrecks. The present West Coast trail follows the same route of the historic life saving trail.
1.
The trail is open yearly from May 1st to September 30th. Since 1991 the park has limited the number of hikers to 8,000 a year. You may hike in groups of up to ten people. The fee is $70 per person, plus a non-refundable $25 to pre-register.