Walking and Hiking Trails That Will Take Your Breath Away
Living on or visiting the coast allows us a perfect opportunity to re-connect with the natural world, fresh air, glorious colours, enlivening silence, and, if you are lucky, a sneak peak at the other creatures that live on land or in the water. A great way to experience this opportunity is by engaging in a hike or taking a walk along a trail, custom built to showcase the natural world and also to leave a gentle footprint in your wake. We are very lucky to be surrounded by amazing forests, much of it old growth rain-forest, and regardless of the weather it is waiting to be discovered. If you are inclined to see yourself as the intrepid explorer and adventurer Indiana Jones and you decide to hike out beyond the trails we will mention, please be prepared with the basics of outdoor discovery. It is a good practice to bring water, a bit of food, extra clothing, a cell phone and make sure you tell someone where you will be. If you are inexperienced take a GPS. Accidents do happen so be prepared.
For the rest of us, here is a local’s eye to some of our favourite trails and hikes.
The Tonquin Beach connector trail to Middle Beach
This 3km trail starts at the Tofino Community Hall and is a great new addition for those interested in stretching their legs a bit. The trail takes you from the community hall to just above Tonquin Beach, then left towards Middle Beach. The trail is mostly gravel, is fairly undulating with a few switch backs, but in general is a trail designed to encourage you to slow down and enjoy the deep forest as you hug the coastline. There are a few beautifully located spots to sit quietly on a bench and have the silence and stunning views re-invigorate your senses. On a low tide you can also reach Third Beach, a small but serene place that leaves you thinking of childhood adventures.
You will exit the trail at Middle Beach, a small sparsely populated beach, that is skirted by a pristine forested area that retains the silence and pure air of the rainforest. If you want more exercise you can walk along the beach to the opposite end, and then follow the trail through the forest to the Middle Beach Resort parking lot. You can either take the road to the left and it will lead you back to the main highway, or you can walk through the parking lot and you will find another short trail that will take you to Mackenzie Beach. Follow Mackenzie to the end and you can see the entrance to Crystal Cove resort. Walk through the resort to the main reception area and you will be able to partake in your favorite Starbucks coffee drink at their Bean at the Cove coffee bar before continuing your journey back to the main highway and back into town via the MUP (multi-use path that runs beside the highway). If you take this extended route as described you will be looking at about 8km and 2 hours of walking.
The Wild Pacific Trail
Is divided into 3 sections, the last 2 of which connect with one another. This trail is a wonderful testament to “Oyster” Jim Martin, the local visionary who initially created the trail, and the group of local volunteers of the Wild Pacific Trail Society who continue to maintain and expand this stunning Ucluelet experience. Cut into the old growth forest or tightly hugging the contours of the coast line, all sections of the trail will leave you breathless with their natural flow. You can sense the artist’s hand at work in their construction. I hope, like me, you will inwardly smile at your own good fortune in having spent time walking or even jogging along their routes. These trails are cut through true wildlife areas and deer, wolves, bears, and even cougars have been sighted on or near these trails. Please be respectful of the wildlife. Be aware of the correct approach to take if you do encounter wildlife, don’t panic and give the animals their space.
Section one: The Lighthouse Loop
Drive through the town to Coast Guard Road, turn left and you will find a large parking lot at Amphitrite Point. Walk down a small incline and you will see the lighthouse. Follow the trail to the right, along the rocky foreshore. Look for the view point just off to your left as you begin to enter the tree’d area. You will have a great view of the eagle’s nest on the small island directly in front of you. Binoculars will help with the details if any young are in the nest. This is a stunning trail, nice and easy, undulating but not excessive with lots of viewpoints, and access to the rocky foreshore. The trail takes you into forested areas with a packed gravel section to guide you through the lush forest floor, before you find yourself back at Coast Guard Road. Cross here and follow the trail as it loops you back to your starting point in front of the Lighthouse. In winter the trail area near the lighthouse is the place for spectacular storm watching. Please act cautiously and with awareness, particularly on the rocky foreshore as the rocks are slippery and the waves are unpredictable. Distance 2.6km; time 45 minutes.
Section two: Browns Beach to the Rocky Bluffs, including the Artists Loop
You will find Browns Beach parking lot on Marine Drive close to the Black Rock Ocean Front Resort (where you can enjoy a snack or drink in the lounge). Recessed coves full of whitewashed logs, white foam inlets, trees bent and twisted by the wind, and hidden beaches are but a few of the wonderful sights you will encounter throughout this trail. The Artists Loop section of the trail will keep you hugging the coastline and, if you get lucky, you may see Grey or Humpback whales feeding in the water as you marvel at the ever changing movement of the sea. Continue along to the Rocky Bluffs for your chance to explore the rock formations and discover the small creatures that make their home there. The whole trail offers lots of viewpoints and a great place to see the late evening summer sunsets. Distance 5km; time 80 minutes.
Section three: Ancient Cedars trail
This is a short trail, about 0.9km, and is to be found at the end of the Artists loop section of the Browns Beach to the Rocky Bluffs trail. This short trail offers a glorious opportunity to walk among the tall and magnificent coastal cedars. These ancient guardians of the coast have withstood the ravages of the coastal weather for as long as 600 years. Take your time on this section; drop into yourself and let the beauty and balance of nature reach inside and bring peace and and a smile to your heart and mind.
Lone Cone Trail on Meares Island
The Lone Cone Trail can be found across the water from Tofino at the foot of Lone Cone Mountain on Meares Island. Access to the trail requires taking a kayak or water taxi from Tofino, which is approximately $30.00 return, plus a $10.00 trail fee. If you plan ahead there is a hostel and campground at the foot of the trail where you can stay overnight or settle in for a multi-day visit. The trail is a day long hike and is a true challenge of your stamina and strength as it makes its way up the 3.3km route. The elevation is about 730 metres, with more than a few muddy obstacles along the way. Use appropriate footwear and bring extra water, food, and maybe even some clothing items as it can be demanding. Don’t forget your camera and bring insect repellent, as the local critters are not fussy and will happily munch on anyone who is unprepared. Having said that, the views at the top are spectacular. Savour your moment of accomplishment and soak it all in before descending back down the trail.
Boardwalk trail at Hot Springs Cove
Many people throughout the year will decide to take either a scenic flight or a boat tour to Hot Springs Cove and the geothermal hots springs located there. One of the additional bonuses from taking this journey is that you get to experience the boardwalk trail to the springs. This 1.2 km long boardwalk takes you through a pristine old growth forest where the air is pure and the sound of silence encompasses you. The boardwalk is well maintained but does have quite a few stairs along its route. Caution should be used, particularly if the weather is wet. Walking this trail is always a highlight of my trips to the hot springs. The forest is lush and when the sun is shimmering through its canopy the light mixed with the trees and forest greenery makes me think of a great artist who has an innate mastery of color and shade. This boardwalk trail is a perfect compliment to the Hot Springs before and after you revel in the geothermal warmth that springs naturally from the planet’s depths. Have fun.
Schooner Cove Trail
Make your way out of Tofino along the highway to just past the the First Nations community of Ty-Hystanis and you will find the Schooner Cove parking lot. This leads to the access point for the Schooner Cove Trail. Please note the trail will undergo maintenance from November 6th 2018 to some time in 2019. The Schooner Cove Trail will return as one of the more intriguing and enlivening trail experiences as it transforms from deep forest into the wonderful beach setting from which the trail gets its name.
Although short in distance at approximately 1.1km, the Schooner trail can still be a little bit demanding for those with any type of mobility issues. The trail is constructed entirely of cedar boardwalk and is often punctuated by fairly steep and narrow staircases, particularly at the trail’s beginning. The trail undulates and twists throughout its length as it guides you through a beautiful canopy of old growth trees, fallen logs, streams and bog, before leading you to the pristine beach at Schooner Cove. Craggy rock formations greet your arrival at the beach and act as a perfect backdrop to the power and beauty of the Pacific Ocean.
To your left at the beach entrance you will see the beginning of Long Beach and the First Nations community of Esowista. To the 
right you will find a lovely stretch of sandy, driftwood strewn beach. The beach will then bend again to the right, where it will extend you an invite to explore the distant sand bank.
This is a wild and enchanting place. Animal encounters are to be anticipated but this is still a great beach for a lazy day picnic. Please be aware of your environment and tidy up. Hike out any and all garbage and food waste you may have created. It is also a good place to participate in beach combing for the elusive glass fishing balls prized by many as the ultimate memento of their West Coast experience. Even if you don’t find the glass, you can take a leaf from our local environmental stewards and pick up any plastics or debris you find and help keep our beaches clean and our wildlife safe.
These are just a sample of the many hiking adventures available on the west coast. While you can certainly enjoy hiking on your own, why not try a guided hike with Hello Nature? You not only get to enjoy trails that are less travelled, you also have an experienced guide to provide in depth knowledge about this beautiful area.
If, after all your trail and beach exertions, you find you have developed a hunger or a thirst, then here is a guide to what food is available at many of the fine eateries in Tofino or Ucluelet.
