Shared itinerary · West Coast Trail, British Columbia
West Coast Trail in 7 days
The West Coast Trail in seven days, north to south from Pachena Bay to Gordon River: the Pachena Point lighthouse, Tsusiat Falls onto the beach, the Nitinat Narrows crossing, Carmanah Point, then the ladders, cable cars and suspension bridges of the south end to Thrasher Cove. 15 stops with times and notes. The trail is open from May to September with a permit booked ahead, and every day runs on the tide table you get at orientation.
Updated
Distance
87.5 km
Pachena Bay Trailhead → Port Renfrew
Days
7
Stops
15
| Day | Route | Stops | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pachena Bay Trailhead to Michigan Creek | 3 | 12.7 km |
| Day 2 | Darling River to Tsusiat Falls | 2 | 15.0 km |
| Day 3 | Nitinat Narrows to Cribs Creek | 2 | 17.5 km |
| Day 4 | Carmanah Point Lighthouse to Walbran Creek | 2 | 13.1 km |
| Day 5 | Cullite Creek to Camper Bay | 2 | 10.6 km |
| Day 6 | Owen Point to Thrasher Cove | 2 | 8.8 km |
| Day 7 | Gordon River Trailhead to Port Renfrew | 2 | 9.8 km |
Day 1: Pachena Bay Trailhead to Michigan Creek
12.7 kmOrientation at Pachena Bay, then an easy first day on the forest trail above the cliffs. Bamfield is a long gravel road from Port Alberni: arrive the day before.
- 09:30
Pachena Bay Trailhead
Sight
The orientation is required: the permit, the tide table, the map and the trail’s rules on bears and tides.
10.4 km · 3h walk to next
- 14:00
Pachena Point Lighthouse
Sight
A wooden lighthouse of 1907 on the cliff at km 10, still staffed.
2.3 km · 1h walk to next
- 15:30
Michigan Creek
Stay
The first beach campsite, at km 12, named for a steamer wrecked off it in 1893. Whales pass offshore.
Day 2: Darling River to Tsusiat Falls
15.0 kmBeach and forest to the falls, 13 km. Walk the beach sections at low tide.
- 09:00
Darling River
Park & nature
Pools and a small falls at km 14, and a campsite for anyone who wants a short day.
12.7 km · 5h walk to next
- 14:30
Tsusiat Falls
Stay
The falls pour straight onto the beach at km 25, and the campsite is on the sand beside them.
Day 3: Nitinat Narrows to Cribs Creek
17.5 kmThe narrows crossing, then 10 km of beach and headland to Cribs Creek.
- 11:00
Nitinat Narrows
Activity
The ferry across the tidal narrows at km 32, run by the Ditidaht First Nation. The shack on the dock sells fresh crab.
9.8 km · 4h 30m walk to next
- 16:30
Cribs Creek
Stay
A beach campsite at km 42, an hour short of Carmanah Point.
Day 4: Carmanah Point Lighthouse to Walbran Creek
13.1 kmCarmanah Point, then the long beaches to Walbran Creek.
- 09:00
Carmanah Point Lighthouse
Sight
A lightstation above the beach at km 43.
10.2 km · 4h 30m walk to next
- 14:30
Walbran Creek
Stay
The last big beach camp, at km 53, by a river mouth with a cable car across it. The trail turns rougher from here.
Day 5: Cullite Creek to Camper Bay
10.6 kmOnly 8 km, but most of it on ladders, bridges and roots.
- 11:30
Cullite Creek
Park & nature
A cove at km 58 between two long ladder sections, with a cable car over the creek. Logan Creek’s suspension bridge comes just before it.
4.7 km · 2h 30m walk to next
- 14:30
Camper Bay
Stay
A campsite at km 61 with a cable car over the creek.
Day 6: Owen Point to Thrasher Cove
8.8 kmThe hardest day: mud, roots and ladders to Thrasher Cove. Take the beach round Owen Point only on a low tide.
- 12:00
Owen Point
Park & nature
Sea caves and surge channels in the rock shelf, passable at low tide only.
3.2 km · 2h 30m walk to next
- 15:15
Thrasher Cove
Stay
The last camp, at km 70, down a long ladder to the beach.
Day 7: Gordon River Trailhead to Port Renfrew
9.8 kmFive steep kilometres to the trailhead, then the ferry to Port Renfrew.
- 11:00
Gordon River Trailhead
Sight
The end, at km 75, and the short ferry across the Gordon River.
3.8 km · 15m transit to next
- 12:00
Port Renfrew
Food & drink
A burger and a beer by the harbour.
