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Home - Things to Do - - ... - Hiking & Trails

Hiking & Trails
Trails and Treasures
Explore Nature's Gems and Pacific Shorelines

On Vancouver Island North, trails penetrate deep into the landscape, offering easy access to remote forests, beaches, streams and lakes. Walk among giants on pathways made spongy from decades of coniferous needles falling. Inhale the freshest ocean air, rich with sea-spray, along pristine shoreline.

The west coast has spectacular options for all levels of hiking ability. Follow forested trails to the open Pacific Ocean where your footprints could quite likely be the only ones in the sand. Two of these west coast day-hiking highlights are Raft Cove and San Josef Bay.

Many seaside communities are lined with wheelchair-accessible seawalls, boardwalks and pathways, perfect for family outings and sunset strolls. Excursion options abound close to towns and further afield. These hikes can vary from an hour or two up to a full day. Multi-day epic adventures like the Cape Scott Trail and the North Coast Trail are on the list for trekkers looking to get remote and experience the ruggedly beautiful outer reaches.

Check in at local Visitor Centres for details on hiking options closest to their communities and destinations beyond.

Proper planning will help you enjoy the rewards of your journey. Check out our Trail Guide or Recreational Map for more information. 

Plan your trip

If you plan on exploring some of the more remote areas of the region, make sure you are prepared:

  • If you are traveling on a logging road, expect to be sharing these roads with industrial vehicles and be sure you know how to travel safely
  • Understand the cellular service limitations in remote areas
  • Familiarize yourself with camping ethics for the front and backcountry before you go
Know before you go
Popular Trails By Community
Alert Bay
Port Alice
Port Hardy
Port McNeill
Sointula
The Outskirts
Alert Bay
Port Alice
Port Hardy
Port McNeill
Sointula
The Outskirts
Ecological Park
1.3 km loop.
Learn More
 
Alert Bay Trails System
16 km network of trails
Learn More


Seawall

Harbourfront boardwalk and walkway

Port Alice

Seawalk
Wheelchair accessible pathway along the community coastline of Neroutsos Inlet

Marble River
8 km return trip, out and back trail
Learn More
 
Spruce Bay Interpretive Trail
2.7 km out and back interpretive trail
 
Alice Lake Loop
A series of ancient Quatsino karst and limestone formations, all features located approximately 15 km’s from Port Alice including Devil’s Bath, and the Eternal Fountain
Learn More
Port Hardy
Quatse Loop & Estuary Trail
2.5 km loop
Learn More
 
Storey’s Beach
Stroll this long stretch of beach, enjoy the wide, sandy expanse that is uncovered at low tide
 
Tex Lyon Trail
Out and back, allow minimum 8 hours for the complete round trip
Learn More
 
Beaver Lake Interpretive Trail
1.3 km interpretive loop
 
Seawall
Paved pathway along the waterfront with views of Hardy Bay
Port McNeill

Schoolhouse Creek Trail
1.6 km loop

Cluxewe Salt Marsh Trail
3 km out and back to the beach

Lady Ellen Point Trail
2 km

Harbour Seawall
Oceanfront walkway with views of Broughton Strait

Sointula
Mateoja Trail
3.2 km one way, allow 3 hours for a return trip.
Learn More
Beautiful Bay Trail
10 km return trip, allow 5 hours
Learn More

Pulteney Point Lighthouse
2.5 km return trip
Learn More
The Outskirts

Blinkhorn Trail
7.7-km out-and-back located in Telegraph Cove
Learn More

Cape Scott Park
15 km one way, plenty of camping options
Learn More
 
San Josef Bay Trail
5 km round trip, out and back
Learn More
 
Cape Scott Trail
15 km one way, plenty of camping options
Learn More
 
North Coast Trail
58 km one way, start at the Cape Scott Trailhead or Shushartie Bay
Learn More
 
Raft Cove
4 km round trip, out and back, beachfront camping available
Learn More
 
Grant Bay
Less than 1 km to the beach, beachfront camping available
 
Little Huson Caves
A network of trails and limestone formations
Learn More
Alert Bay
Alert Bay
Ecological Park
1.3 km loop.
Learn More
 
Alert Bay Trails System
16 km network of trails
Learn More


Seawall

Harbourfront boardwalk and walkway

Port Alice
Port Alice

Seawalk
Wheelchair accessible pathway along the community coastline of Neroutsos Inlet

Marble River
8 km return trip, out and back trail
Learn More
 
Spruce Bay Interpretive Trail
2.7 km out and back interpretive trail
 
Alice Lake Loop
A series of ancient Quatsino karst and limestone formations, all features located approximately 15 km’s from Port Alice including Devil’s Bath, and the Eternal Fountain
Learn More
Port Hardy
Port Hardy
Quatse Loop & Estuary Trail
2.5 km loop
Learn More
 
Storey’s Beach
Stroll this long stretch of beach, enjoy the wide, sandy expanse that is uncovered at low tide
 
Tex Lyon Trail
Out and back, allow minimum 8 hours for the complete round trip
Learn More
 
Beaver Lake Interpretive Trail
1.3 km interpretive loop
 
Seawall
Paved pathway along the waterfront with views of Hardy Bay
Port McNeill
Port McNeill

Schoolhouse Creek Trail
1.6 km loop

Cluxewe Salt Marsh Trail
3 km out and back to the beach

Lady Ellen Point Trail
2 km

Harbour Seawall
Oceanfront walkway with views of Broughton Strait

Sointula
Sointula
Mateoja Trail
3.2 km one way, allow 3 hours for a return trip.
Learn More
Beautiful Bay Trail
10 km return trip, allow 5 hours
Learn More

Pulteney Point Lighthouse
2.5 km return trip
Learn More
The Outskirts
The Outskirts

Blinkhorn Trail
7.7-km out-and-back located in Telegraph Cove
Learn More

Cape Scott Park
15 km one way, plenty of camping options
Learn More
 
San Josef Bay Trail
5 km round trip, out and back
Learn More
 
Cape Scott Trail
15 km one way, plenty of camping options
Learn More
 
North Coast Trail
58 km one way, start at the Cape Scott Trailhead or Shushartie Bay
Learn More
 
Raft Cove
4 km round trip, out and back, beachfront camping available
Learn More
 
Grant Bay
Less than 1 km to the beach, beachfront camping available
 
Little Huson Caves
A network of trails and limestone formations
Learn More
Alert Bay
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Alert Bay Broughton Archipelago Coal Harbour Holberg Port Alice Port Hardy Port McNeill Quatsino Sointula Telegraph Cove Winter Harbour Woss & The Nimpkish Valley
Hiking & Trails
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Hiking & Trails
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Broughton Archipelago
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Hiking & Trails
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Hiking & Trails
North Island Daytrippers
Broughton Archipelago
Trail Guide
Download the Vancouver Island North Trail Guide.
Learn More
Visitors Guide
The Visitors Guide is a handy tool for things to do, places to eat and where to stay.
Learn More
Recreation Map
View the Recreation Map for parks, beaches, and attractions across the region.
Learn More
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