The West Coast Trail ranks among the world’s most spectacular hikes. And with good reason: it’s a challenging trek with achingly beautiful scenery. The perfect route to slap on a bucket list.
So why shouldn’t every adventure-lovin’ trailblazer be gushing over this famous Canadian trek? Because about 8,000 people hike it annually.
Don’t get me wrong: The remote West Coast Trail is worthy of its trekking-mecca title, but it’s not the only hiking gem on Canada’s Vancouver Island (trust me, I’m a local). There are plenty of other routes that offer a similar experience, complete with boot-sucking mud and sudden dumps of rain, that don’t get the same steady stream of trekker traffic.
Scan this list of alternatives to the West Coast Trail if you’re in the market for a trek that hasn’t seen more boots than a North Face sales floor.
Cape Scott/North Coast Trail
Lush rainforests and slick terrain await trekkers on the Cape Scott/North Island Trail.
It’s wild, rugged and a helluva lot tougher than the West Coast Trail. If you love being in the boonies all by your lonesome, this is the trek for you. This route gets just a fraction of the attention lavished on the WCT but has terrain that’s just as awesome.
The trail twists through mammoth old-growth forests, pristine beaches and meadows brimming with diverse plants and birds. Explore sea caves and watch for tidal pools as you trek.
The North Coast Trail stretches 43 kilometres along the northern tip of Vancouver Island starting at Shushartie Bay, which requires a 60-minute water taxi to get there. It eventually joins up with the old Cape Scott Trail and continues on for another 15 kilometres – that’s 58.5 kilometres of killer trekking in total. It takes about six days to tackle this trail, depending on the weather.
Expect rain, especially if you’re not hiking between June and August. Then deal with it. Check out my story about trekking a portion of the Cape Scott Trail if you need a little inspiration.
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
A solid trek that’s quite a bit gentler and a whole lot more accessible than the West Coast Trail. This is a good one for folks who want to just sneak in a day or two of backpacking. The downside (for some) is you’ll still probably encounter plenty of other trekkers, especially in busy summer months. Yeah, the word is out on this one.
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail winds along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, not far from the West Coast Trail. Thick rainforest and plenty of wildlife – listen for the seals – await trekkers on this moderately challenging trail. There are also a couple of nice beachside camping spots along the way, where you can look out at the lights from the odd freighter in the distance.
With four different trailheads at various parts of the route, it’s easy to tread along just a single leg of the trail. But pushing along the full 47 kilometres, which takes about five days, comes with some nice rewards. Be sure to linger at Botanical Beach before or after your trek. You can find his trail near the town of Port Renfrew.
Nootka Trail
The Nootka Trail is an enticingly isolated trek.
Perhaps the most remote and thrilling trek on the Canadian west coast. Although the terrain isn’t too steep – it’s mainly a beach trail – you’ll be hiking on an island completely cut off from civilization.
Tread over everything from silken beaches to ragged rock on this hike. The wildlife is amazing – otters, wolves and even the occasional whale sighting are much more frequent occurrences here than on the well-worn WCT. Cultural artifacts can also be found along the route. For example, when at Bajo Point, peer into a forest of Sitka spruce and you can see where the longhouses of the Muchalaht nation once stood. Fascinating indeed.
This 40-kilometre trail, which also offers plenty of great side trips, hugs the west coast of Nootka Island. You’ll need at least five days to tackle this one. Take a float plane or water taxi from the town of Gold River to reach the trailhead.
Cape Beale/Keeha Beach trails
This is another good trek for those can’t take on more than an overnight excursion. After all, it’s just a measly 16 kilometres. Simple, right?
Don’t let the stats fool you. The Cape Beale/Keeha Beach trails are choked with fallen trees, overgrown brush and mud-slickened boardwalk that has sent many careless hikers stumbling into the bushes. It’s a fun little trek that takes much longer than you’d expect to complete.
Get ready to slip and slide as you navigate trails almost completely covered by ferns and other vegetation. The reward: killer coastal views, spectacular sea caves and a lighthouse that’s manned by some super-friendly folk.
The Cape Beale and Keeha Beach Trails are located near Bamfield (a town worth exploring), about 200 kilometres northwest of the City of Victoria. You’ll have to drive a 76-kilometre logging road to get there. Like the Juan de Fuca, the trailhead for this trek isn’t far from one end of the WCT.
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