Hiking

Willowbrae Trail

Of interest: This historic trail formed part of a two-day travel route between Ucluelet and Tofino prior to the establishment of a road in 1942.

Location: Willowbrae Road intersects Highway 4, 2 km south of the Ucluelet-Tofino junction. Trail access is not signed from the highway. Turn west onto Willowbrae Road to the trailhead parking lot.

Halfmoon Bay Trail

Of interest: This trail winds through an old growth cedar-hemlock forest where fallen trees serve as nurseries for seedlings, giving way to a spruce fringe forest on the steep climb down to the sheltered bay and sands of Halfmoon Bay.

Location: The Halfmoon Bay Trail branches from the Willowbrae Trail 1.3 km from the Willowbrae parking lot.

Shorepine Bog Trail

Features: An old growth coastal temperate rainforest with a twist.

Location: On Wickaninnish Road, 300 m south of the Florencia Bay turnoff.

Rainforest Trail – Trail A & B  

Of interest: Both trails help you explore the temperate rainforest. Look up to see the gigantic western red cedar and western hemlocks. Scan the upper canopy for birds, listen to the trickle of water and smell the life of this highly productive forest. Loop A signs emphasize forest cycles. Loop B signs emphasize forest structure and inhabitants.

Location: Trail A is located on the opposite side of the highway from the parking lot. Trail B starts from the parking lot.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To ensure visitor safety, Rainforest Trail B in the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is closed to public access until further notice. Rainforest Trail A and the Rainforest parking lot remain open. Thank you for your patience.

Schooner Cove Trail *Temporarily Closed* 

Of interest: The trail descends through young and old stands of cedar/hemlock forest, gradually
giving way to the Sitka spruce fringe. Coming to the beach, you will catch glimpses of the village of Esowista, belonging to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, who have lived along this shore for centuries. Please respect the privacy of residents.

Location: Along Highway 4.

Note: Access to Schooner Cove may be cut off during high tides.

Undesignated trails

Of interest: The rocky shorelines and lush forests of BGI are home to a large diversity of plants and animals. Benson Island, one of the many Broken Group Islands, is a great destination for walking. Enjoy a self-guided tour and learn about the archeological research that dates its use back over 5,000 years. Trails on the BGI are not maintained by park staff. 

Location: These islands are accessible by boat only. See a map of the islands and our list of licensed business operators to book a boat ride

Pets disturb wildlife, interfere with other visitors' enjoyment of the area and can introduce disease to the island wildlife

Cape Beale Lighthouse Trail

Of Interest: Built in 1874, the Cape Beale Lighthouse is located close to the West Coast Trail. In fact, the trail from Topaltos Beach to Cape Beale Lighthouse is part of the same telegraph route that the West Coast Trail follows. Observant hikers can still see remnants of the old line while they are hiking.

The Cape Beale Lighthouse Trail has linked the community of Bamfield to the lighthouse for over a century.

Location: Cape Beale trailhead road is located at the end of South Bamfield Road. Parking is well marked and is 400 metres up the road from the trailhead Follow the trail to the junction and then take the right trail west to Topaltos Beach. From Topaltos hike to the southwest end of the beach and watch for the trailhead marked with floats hanging from the tree. The trail passes through a swampy bog then rises over a steep, rocky hill with drier vegetation and dwarfed trees. At the end of the trail, the lighthouse can be reached by crossing the sand flats at tides below 1.8 metres.

Keeha Beach

Of Interest: Keeha is a beautiful crescent shaped beach with rocky headlands at both ends, Crashing waves, tidal pools, sea arches and a spectacular open ocean view are visible from the beach. The trail passes through hemlock and cedar groves.

Location: At the trail junction take the trail to the left which follows the east side of Kichha Lake. See Cape Beale above.