Table of Contents
Is the West Coast Trail Hard?
Hiking the West Coast Trail is difficult, even for experienced hikers.” Most people will spend between 6 and 8 days in the backcountry, when travelling from end-to-end. There’s also a mid-way entry point at Nitinaht Village, which can shorten your journey by a few days.
Why is the West Coast Trail so popular?
Famous for its ruggedness, hundreds of man-made ladders and bridges, lush rainforests, and beautiful beach campsites, the West Coast Trail offers an experience as rich as the island’s flora and fauna itself. It’s an epic walk into the history of the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island.
Can you do the West Coast Trail alone?
There are hundreds of moments spent evaluating risk in the outdoors: bears, cougars, rising tides, slippery ladders, kelp-covered rocks, hand-pulled cable cars, strangers, nights alone, inclement weather. As a soloist, there are no second opinions. Your choices are yours, alone, to own.
How much does it cost to do the West Coast Trail?
Example Hiker Fees:
| Adult | Family or Group |
|---|---|
| $10.50/day | $21.00/day |
Do I need bear spray on the West Coast Trail?
Bear Spray The West Coast Trail is home to black bears, wolves, and cougars, although you’re more likely to see tracks and poop than the animals themselves. Carry bear spray and make lots of noise when hiking.
How big of a pack do you need for West Coast Trail?
PURPOSE: A 50 to 75 litre backpack is needed for the West Coast Trail. If you get expensive, ultralight and ultra-compact gear to put in it a 50 litre pack should work for you. For most hikers a 65 litre pack is ideal.
Are there grizzly bears on the West Coast Trail?
There are over 100 ladders and bridges, miles of slippery boardwalks, surge channels to be crossed, and countless mud holes. There are also bears, cougars and wolves. On the bright side, there are no grizzlies, relatively few mosquitoes (at least in May), and no poison oak or venomous snakes.
Are there mosquitoes on the West Coast Trail?
In general, the bugs aren’t bad on the West Coast Trail. There can be some mosquitos on the forested trails early in the season or in some of the forested campsites. However, it’s usually too breezy on the beach for most insects.