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Juan de Fuca Marine Hiking Trail

Juan de Fuca Marine Hiking Trail

Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, marine and wildlife viewing and roaring surf in its course along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A major feature of this park, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, is approximately 42 kilometres of wilderness trekking along the rugged shoreline. Although most of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed for strenuous day or multi-day hiking/camping in this rugged and isolated area, some easy to moderate day hiking opportunities to the beach or along the trail are available starting from the trailheads.

The hike normally takes 3-4 days. There are no services along the route – travellers should come prepared for the remote experience. Backcountry passes for camping must be purchased from BC Parks. A shuttle service to/from Port Renfrew and China Beach (as well as Victoria) is available during the summer months (see “Transportation” below).

A common question hikers ponder is, “Which direction should I do the hike?”

There isn’t a simple answer – since the trail starts and ends at the same elevation, either direction could be considered equally challenging. Hikers may decide based on the following (in order of priority):
  1. Transportation logistics (how are you getting to the trailhead? Will you be leaving a car, or relying on meeting a bus at the other end?)
  2. Tidal cut offs and beach walking (it is essential to plan ahead for some of the high-tide beach cutoffs – will you direction of travel mean that you will encounter the cut-offs at high tide or low tide? Generally, in the summer months, lowest tides are in the morning and come up through the day)
  3. Seeing Botanical beach at low tide is nice (will you encounter it at the start – or later in the day if you are finishing there?)
  4. The dreaded “Bear Beach – Chin Beach” section. It really shouldn’t play as large a role as many people give it, but it’s indeed the most challenging section – do you prefer to get it over with earlier? Or wait until your pack is lighter? A tip would be to do it at the beginning of the day, rather the end. But the items above should probably play a larger role in your decision)
Breakdown of the hike, including approximate times (from west to east):
The following times are based on a moderately quick pace with minimal breaks. You know your pace – add on time if needed!
  • Botanical beach to Payzant: 2.5 hrs, 7 km. Moderate difficulty but trail condition is generally well worn and easy to follow. Take some extra time to explore; there are lots of shoreline options, but you might reach an impassible surge channel and be forced to bushwack to regain the official trail. Aim for doing this section at low tide – and it is best to not do this alone!
  • Payzant Campground: In forest, but good tent sites, pretty river and waterfall, not much of a view but nice afternoon light.
  • Payzant to Parkinson trailhead: 1 hr, 3 km. Conditions are moderately difficult.
  • Parkinson to Little Kuitshie: 1 hr, 4 km. Very muddy!
  • Little Kuitshie Campground: Unimpressive; probably the least charming of all campsites along the trail. Dark, dank forest. Possible hikes towards shoreline access.
  • Little Kuitshie to Sombrio (West): 1.5 hrs, 4 km. Moderate difficulty – a little up and down but good conditions. Note high tide beach cut offs!
  • Sombrio Breach Campground: There are 3 areas..
    • Sombrio Campsite (“West” – west bank of river): Wooden platforms (could be considered good or bad!), lots of day users.
    • Sombrio Campsite (“Centre” – just east of river): Can be a busy place with day users but great sites, possibility of grass set up.
    • Sombrio Campsite (“East” – around the corner in the next bay): Quiet, sand sites. Recommended. Hidden waterfall (halfway between the bear cache/outhouse and about 20 metres west from where the trail leaves the beach to climb uphill, there is a little unassuming creek that flows onto the beach and dissolves into the sand (48.4935° -124.2947°) – follow the path up the river!). Also, interesting rock formations/collapsed seacave at eastern end of beach (48.4921° -124.2935°).
  • Sombrio West to Sombrio East: 0.5 hr, 2 km. Beach walking
  • Sombrio East to Sombrio Point: 0.5 hr, 1 km. Quite difficult! Travellers heading west might feel discouraged as they can see Sombrio but face tricky terrain and mud! Hang in there!
  • Sombrio Point to Loss Creek Bridge: 1 hr, 2 km. Big elevation gain to an old logging road (nice and flat!), then drop. But the ascent/descent is not too steep. Take your time and enjoy some large trees.
  • Loss Creek Bridge to Chin Beach: 1 hr, 3 km. Moderate difficulty overall and enjoyable. The last bit of trail into Chin cannot be hiked at high tide – there is no alternate!
  • Chin Beach Campground: Very nice campsite, not too many sites, but outlook and beach is nice and sites are tucked in trees. Possible hike to see large trees – uphill of campsite and shelter, possible loop. Do note beach cut offs at high tide!
  • Chin to Bear: 3.5 hrs, 12 km. This section is the most difficult with lots of elevation change – but all elevation changes are 70 metres or less, except for Hoard Creek which is 100 m.
  • Bear Beach campground: Westernmost campsite is lousy (best for overflow), Centre (Clinch creek) sites are lovely (small ravine, cleared sites, shade). East campsite (at Rosemond Creek, past sand bluff) are nice but gets filled up early. This site is also close to breaking waves sometimes, so could feel a little exposed during storms or high winds. A nice waterfall is located just to the east – but the trail goes past it, so everyone gets to see it eventually.
  • Bear Beach to Mystic Beach: 2.5 hrs, 7 km. Plenty of up-and-down, but pleasant forest and well worn trail with not much mud.
  • Mystic Beach Campground: Stunning beach and great walks at low tide, but limited sites and feels exposed when surf is up. Only 2 km from trailhead so lots of day users, but quiets down in afternoon.
  • Mystic Beach to China Beach: 0.5 hr, 2 km. Very easy and straightforward.

Please do make a note of the 6 locations (shown on our map) of “high tide cut offs”. The BC Parks map also includes information on these cut offs. If you arrive to the cut offs and the tide is above the cut off height, you won’t be able to pass. And it’s even possible that you’ll still need to remove your shoes and socks and wade through the water even if you arrive at a tide below the cut off – there may be waves. See our map for details, or the BC Parks map (link below).

Vancouver Island Trail

Vancouver Island Trail

The Vancouver Island Spine Trail is a 700-km proposed wilderness trail that will run from tip-to-tip along the spine of Vancouver Island. The goal of the Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association (VISTA) is to utilize as many existing trails as possible, but they are building new connector trails each summer. There are ample opportunities to volunteer for trail building sessions – please visit their web site for more details.

Since we do not host or update this trail map, we do not offer a GPS download for this trail. Please download the latest copy by opening this map in Google Maps and selecting “Download KML” from the menu.

Note: The map above has been created by VISTA and will automatically update as they make changes to their routes. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data! Although some sections of the Spine Trail are complete and operational, many parts are not. Contact VISTA for the latest trail maps and conditions.

Victoria Seaside CYCLING TRAIL Touring Route c50 (39 km)

Victoria Seaside CYCLING TRAIL Touring Route c50 (39 km)

This 39 km loop takes in the incredible scenery of Victoria’s south-facing shoreline through the James Bay, Fairfield, and Gonzales neighborhoods, before swinging northeast, passing by Oak Bay’s marina, Willows Beach, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and through Saanich’s Cadboro Bay village. The route turns north and rounds the top of Mount Douglas Park on Royal Oak before joining the Lochside trail – a perfect route that connects with the Galloping Goose trail and returns to downtown Victoria.

Please note that the majority of this ride (excluding Lochside and Galloping Goose trails) is on roads. Although there are few bike lanes, this is a popular and safe ride for road-savvy cyclists.

Della Falls Hiking Trail

Della Falls Hiking Trail

This hike in Strathcona Provincial Park features the highest falls in Canada (444 metres/1456 ft.); they are spectacular and a must see destination. It is a 15-km hike to the base of the falls with another hike of nearly 3 km to a viewpoint on the Love Lake-Mount Septimus Trail.

The trailhead is accessed by boat, kayak, or canoe from one end of Grand Central Lake requiring a 33 km trip, the other end of the lake.  Many choose to use the shuttle service (see Highlights below).

For those arriving by canoe, there are a few informal campsites along the lake. Scout Beach is a popular recreational site and possible place to launch a canoe (while cutting down on distance to paddle to the Della Falls trailhead). Most suitable camping areas are roughly 3/4 of the way to the Della Falls trailhead along the north shore. There is a rack for kayaks and canoes at the trailhead.

The main camps are at the trailhead, Margaret Creek (6.7 km), and near Della Falls (14.2/14.7 km).  There is wilderness camping (12.2 km) on a small beach along Drinkwater Creek.

The main trail follows Drinkwater Creek named after a gold prospector who worked this area in 1899.  The first 10 km is essentially a rail grade interrupted by creek washouts and water damage causing many detours and walking on slippery rocks crossing creeks.  There is frequent water damage on the trail.  Bridging at Margaret Creek for example is higher up the creek for an easier crossing but creating quite a climb and descent. There are usually quite a few tree falls requiring ducking under, detouring, or climbing over. The trail is also overgrown in places.  From the cable bridge it becomes a rugged single track trail and a bit difficult to follow in spots especially the section just past the wilderness camp where the trail heads over large rocks that are part of an old rock fall from the high cliffs looming above.  Flagging is in place for wayfinding.  There are many pleasant sections overall and the tree cover is much appreciated for much of the hike.

The falls are at their best in mid July when glacial run off is at its peak. However, visitors in mid-August will find swimming in Love Lake to be much more comfortable!

Mud isn’t a huge issue, but gaitors can come in handy due to thorny bushes that you may encounter on the trail.

Victoria-Cowichan-Salt Spring Island CYCLING TRAIL LOOP c51

Victoria-Cowichan-Salt Spring Island CYCLING TRAIL LOOP c51

This loop is a 2-3 day, 196 km journey, though about 26 km of this includes distances traveled on 3 separate ferry rides – in total, the journey involves about 180 km of trails and roads. However, this route can be drastically shortened with a number of shortcuts if necessary.

To shorter the journey further by 32 km, one can cut across the Saanich peninsula from the Lochside Trail to the Brentwood Bay ferry, resulting in a 148 km journey – though this cuts the enjoyable trip into Victoria.

Another shortcut can be found north of the Kinsol Trestle on the Cowichan Valley Trail – at Deerholme, an old segment of rail line turns east towards Duncan. Parts of this rail trail can be followed but needs to be properly developed over future years. Connecting to Duncan’s Friendship Trail, the route once again connects to the Cowichan Valley Trail north of Duncan. However, this shortcut removes a significant portion of very beautiful rail trail from the route, and misses the community of Lake Cowichan.

The route through Salt Spring Island is almost all on roads, but this route has been determined to be the quietest route across the island.

Ferries to/from the mainland can be found at Sidney’s Swartz Bay, or alternatively, Salt Spring’s Long Harbour.