Raincoast Education Society Interpretive Walks on the trail

10 am every Thursday July 1 to August 22. Meet at the Lighthouse to join a naturalist guide. By donation.

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to read about:

Lighthouse Loop section
Big Beach section
Links to lodging and activities that support the Trail society

Wild Pacific Trail Official Website

Trail Description

The Wild Pacific Trail located in the District of Ucluelet is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the westcoast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.

The trail is presently divided into 3 sections: Lighthouse loop, Big Beach and Brown's Beach.

Hikers get an up-close-and-personal look at the ocean's fury while viewing from the protection of the trail itself.

Carefully hewn by hand through old-growth thickets of twisted trunks, limbs and roots, the trail is a natural treasure-house of forest treats, including untouched examples of gigantic nurse-logs, raised root systems, mosses, fungi, lichens and ferns - offering the photographer unique opportunities to capture close-up images of nature imitating art.

At all times the views along the ever-changing outer coast afforded by this route are breathtaking - sunset and sunrise are a must see. Storm-watching is a natural on this trail with many breath-taking views 20-30m above surge channels and outer reefs constantly pounded by ocean swells. During the annual gray whale migration (late February to late May), whales can be spotted not more than 5 km offshore of this location as well as sea lions, seals, mink and otter playing in the nearby surf.

Lighthouse Loop
Phase I of the Wild Pacific Trail (2.5 km) can be walked in a 30-45 minute loop. The trail is wide enough for 2-3 people to walk side-by-side. Viewpoints and benches are frequent for watching whales, birds or catching the sunset.

Start at the new parking lot at the 0 km point, midway on Coast Guard Road. Walk through a short section of mossy rainforest to a trail on your right. This scenic path traces the edge of the coastline past dramatic views of Barkley Sound and Amphitrite Lighthouse. Stay on the coastline trail which will loop back to the parking lot .

Please STAY ON THE TRAIL, venturing on the rocks can be deadly.

Testimonials:
"You can be sure that if I'm within a thousand miles of Ucluelet. we'll visit again and walk the Wild Pacific Trail".
Hayden - North Carolina

"The trail was spectacular !! We are a family of 4 from Ontario, and we absolutely enjoyed our 3 day stay at Ucluelet... It was a real treat to see a temperate rain forest, amazing views and massive trees"
John Gorniak, Ontario

"You have given a gift to everyone whose feet tread along the Wild Pacific Trail - now that's "life on the edge".
Bill McIntyre

What a great idea to have Ucluelet designated as "Home of the Wild Pacific Trial". The trail deserves ALL the recognition it can get, because the trail projects Ucluelet as a must see and do attraction. Way to go!
Pieter Timmermans,
Ucluelet BC

Wild Pacific Trail Big Beach Section

4.5 to 5.5 km Park at the intersection of Marine and Matterson Road. Either follow the roadside along Marine Drive to your right, or for the scenic route go straight down to the beachfront picnic area. Turn right up the stairs to the boardwalk overlook. After the bridge the trail crosses Marine Drive. Turn left past a newly-built resort before returning to the coastline trail.

Click to see a full street map

Wild Pacific Trail Brown's Beach Section

5.5 to 8.4 km A new parking lot just past Black Rock Resort on Marine Drive is your starting point. Turn right to follow a short section of forested trail near a new road. You will soon reach a wilderness coastal trail. The most scenic path is to keep to the coastline and double back, the view looks very different in reverse! Be sure to walk into viewpoints, they offer the best vistas. You can also walk in a loop via the forested access trails to Forbes Road sports field or exit at the Pacific Rim Highway. Turn right to walk the bike path back to town.

Green space campaign A new fundraising initiative by the Wild Pacific Trail Society hopes to purchase a 13 acre parcel of land zoned for a resort development to expand the adjacent park rich with old growth trees.

Many volunteers and sponsors have given their time and energy into making this trail nothing short of a National Treasure.

Trail Phase 5-7 (planned)

Phases 5 - 7 would extend the trail to Halfmoon Bay, in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

This trail originated through the vision and initiative of Ucluelet's 'Oyster Jim' Martin, and was developed by funds donated to the Wild Pacific Trail Society. The trail will eventually continue northwest 14 km along the outer coast to reach the Long Beach section of Pacific Rim National Park.

Accommodations:	A Harbour House Bostrom's B&B Cabins West Ebb Tide B&B Hyphocus Inn Little Beach Resort Majestic Ocean B&B Norah House Retreat Rainforest Lane B&B Reef Point B&B Reefpoint Cottages Terrace Beach Resort The Boathouse B&B Wild Pacific Cabins	Travel & Attractions	Long Beach Maps bcferries.com Pacific Rim National Park Backroad Map & Outdoor Guide
		Adventures:	Archipelago Cruises (Wildlife Tours) Coastal Knights Kayaking G.Myhre Sportsfishing Jamies Whaling Station & Adventure Centre Majestic Kayaking Roanne Sea Adventures (Fishing) Subtidal Adventures (Wildlife Tours) Ucluelet Coastal Charters
		Galleries & Boutiques:
Restaurants:	Grey Whale Deli	Services:	Fishful Thinking Judy Gray.com Pacific Rim Self Storage Remax Mid-Island Realty
District Information:	District of Ucluelet Ucluelet Chamber