How do I get to Pachena Bay?
- West Coast Trail Express offers daily services to Bamfield and Pachena Bay from Victoria, with stops between Port Renfrew and the Juan de Fuca trail head.
- The MV Frances Barkley provides passenger and freight.
- Pacific Seaplanes flies to Bamfield via Port Alberni, or the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Where do you start the West Coast Trail?
There are three different places to start the West Coast Trail: In the north at Pachena Bay near Bamfield, in the south at Gordon River near Port Renfrew, and in the middle at Nitinaht Narrows. (If you start in the middle at Nitinaht you can hike either north or south from there, or double back and do both.)
Where does West Coast Trail start and end?
The trail starts at Bamfield near Barkley Sound and runs south to Port Renfrew on Port San Juan Bay.
How difficult is the West Coast Trail?
Hiking the West Coast Trail is difficult, even for experienced hikers.” Most people will spend between 6 and 8 days in the backcountry, when travelling from end-to-end. There’s also a mid-way entry point at Nitinaht Village, which can shorten your journey by a few days.
How do I get to Nitinaht village?
Road access to Nitinaht Village is by unpaved roads only. These roads are also used by industrial traffic, such as logging trucks. For most hikers, the quickest route will be via Lake Cowichan. It is also possible to reach Nitinaht Village via Port Alberni or Port Renfrew.
Can you surf in Bamfield?
This summer was my first time going to Keeha Beach, one of the most desired surfing spots on the island. The trail head is right in Bamfield, where you park and start walking through immediate lush forest.
Can you do a day hike on the West Coast Trail?
With the West Coast Trail, no two hikes are ever the same. You can hike from south to north, or north to south. You can complete the trail in one day, 10 days, or anywhere in between (the record is 9.5 hours). You can camp at your choice of 13 campsites (or choose your own spot to sleep).
Can you camp anywhere on the West Coast Trail?
You are allowed to camp anywhere you like on the West Coast Trail. You don’t have to camp in an official campground. The only exception is that no camping is allowed between KM 34 and KM 38 due to high wildlife activity.
Will the West Coast Trail Open in 2021?
Vancouver Island’s world-famous West Coast Trail will be re-opening to the public in June 2021. The 75-km trail that meanders along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island between Port Renfrew and Bamfield has been closed since early 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Can you do half the West Coast Trail?
It is possible to hike a shorter version of the West Coast Trail. A mid-point entrance at Nitinaht Narrows that is only accessible by water from Nitinaht Village, allows you to hike a shorter portion of the West Coast Trail.
How do I book the Juan de Fuca trail?
Unlike the West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca trail does not have a reservation system. All campsites are first-come, first-served and there is no limit to how many hikers can be on the trail. However, you must purchase a backcountry camping permit for $10/person/night.
Can you surf at Pachena Bay?
Pachena isn’t the best-known or most consistent surf beach on Vancouver Island. Most of the year you need a longboard to catch the gentle rollers reaching the inclined beach. In summer, refracting waves take the washing-machinepummelling out of getting past the breaks.
Is the Pachena Bay Campground on the West Coast Trail?
The Pachena Bay Campground is not on the West Coast Trail, but close to the trailhead. The first campground you will encounter on the West Coast Trail is the Michigan Creek campsite at 12 kilometres. This is a fairly mediocre campsite as it has a bit of an ugly beach and is always quite crowded.
What’s new at Pachena Bay?
Whether you’re looking for full-service or the basics, Pachena Bay has it all. Each scenic and private sites offer campers the option of power & water hookups. What’s New? More washroom facilities and a custom-designed wash house that has hot showers, flush toilets, and is wheelchair-accessible. Hiking the West Coast Trail?
What kind of fuel does the Pachena Bay gas bar offer?
Please note, the Pachena Bay Gas Bar offers gasoline and diesel fuel every day of the week.