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Waves breaking on the rocky beach at Walbran Creek on the West Coast Trail in the evening

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Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada · Canada

West Coast Trail trek: grade, cost & permits

Most Vancouver Island visitors stop at the beaches near Tofino; this 75 km wild-coast route in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve goes much further: over 100 ladder systems, cable cars across rivers, sandstone shelves at low tide and camps beside waterfalls on the beach. It is one of Canada's hardest backpacking trips, not a beach walk, and Parks Canada says it should not be your first overnight hike. You carry everything; there are no huts or shops.

Photo: JanBouma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

GradeHard
Duration6-8 days
Highest point200 m
SeasonMay-September only. The trail is open for overnight hiking 1 May to 30 September and closed to overnight use the rest of the year (heavy rain, wind, high tides, big waves and short days). Every space is reserved in advance; there is no standby.
Cost from base₹23,000per person
BasePort Renfrew (Gordon River trailhead, south) or Bamfield (Pachena Bay trailhead, north)

Most Vancouver Island visitors stop at the beaches near Tofino; this 75 km wild-coast route in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve goes much further: over 100 ladder systems, cable cars across rivers, sandstone shelves at low tide and camps beside waterfalls on the beach. It is one of Canada's hardest backpacking trips, not a beach walk, and Parks Canada says it should not be your first overnight hike. You carry everything; there are no huts or shops.

Good for soloGood for couplesGood for groups
Live weather

On the trail now and the next 7 days

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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.

Step 2 of 7Next: Route

The route

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On the map

West Coast Trail · Open in Google Maps ↗

The climb

0 m60 m30 m120 m150 m60 m0 m Start · 0 mEnd · 0 m 150 m

How to reach the start

Victoria → Gordon River trailhead (5 km north of Port Renfrew): West Coast Trail Express bus, about 2 hours, CAD 60 one way (2026 fare chart; 5% fuel surcharge and 5% GST added). At the far end, Pachena Bay → Victoria on the same bus is CAD 120. Port Renfrew → Pachena Bay is CAD 95 if you leave a car at the south end. The bus runs 1 May-30 September; book ahead. Drivers can reach Pachena Bay by gravel logging road from Port Alberni (about 2 hours).

Directions to the trailhead ↗Open in Google Maps ↗
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits

Permits and rules

Permit: Parks Canada West Coast Trail overnight permit, reserved through the Parks Canada Reservation Service (reservation.pc.gc.ca or 1-877-737-3783; international 1-519-826-5391). Per person per trip: Backcountry Use Permit CAD 184.75 + Orientation Fee CAD 23.75 = CAD 208.50, plus the Gordon River ferry CAD 28 and the Nitinaht Narrows ferry CAD 28, plus a CAD 11.50 online reservation fee (CAD 13.50 by phone). 2026 bookings opened 5 February 2026 at 8 a.m. PT; all spaces are reservable, standby is gone. Max 10 per group. Everyone must be at least 6 (not recommended under 12). You attend a pre-hike briefing at the trailhead (10 a.m. or 2 p.m. at Gordon River and Pachena Bay).
GuideNot needed
Seasonal closureClosed to overnight hiking from October to 30 April. Inside the season, Carmanah Point and Pachena Point light stations are closed to the public, and the Nitinaht Triangle is closed to all visitors. Fire bans may apply.

Official permit or booking page ↗

Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.

Step 4 of 7Next: Gear

What to carry

Step 5 of 7Next: Cost

What it costs

Your group, from the base₹46,000
Couple · from Port Renfrew (Gordon River trailhead, south) or Bamfield (Pachena Bay trailhead, north)
Per person₹23,000

Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Port Renfrew (Gordon River trailhead is extra.

Step 6 of 7Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How hard is the West Coast Trail trek?

Hard grade. It takes 6-8 days and climbs to about 200 m. Most Vancouver Island visitors stop at the beaches near Tofino; this 75 km wild-coast route in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve goes much further: over 100 ladder systems, cable cars across rivers, sandstone shelves at low tide and camps beside waterfalls on the beach. It is one of Canada's hardest backpacking trips, not a beach walk, and Parks Canada says it should not be your first overnight hike. You carry everything; there are no huts or shops.

Do I need a permit for West Coast Trail?

Parks Canada West Coast Trail overnight permit, reserved through the Parks Canada Reservation Service (reservation.pc.gc.ca or 1-877-737-3783; international 1-519-826-5391). Per person per trip: Backcountry Use Permit CAD 184.75 + Orientation Fee CAD 23.75 = CAD 208.50, plus the Gordon River ferry CAD 28 and the Nitinaht Narrows ferry CAD 28, plus a CAD 11.50 online reservation fee (CAD 13.50 by phone). 2026 bookings opened 5 February 2026 at 8 a.m. PT; all spaces are reservable, standby is gone. Max 10 per group. Everyone must be at least 6 (not recommended under 12). You attend a pre-hike briefing at the trailhead (10 a.m. or 2 p.m. at Gordon River and Pachena Bay).

How do I reach the West Coast Trail trek?

Victoria → Gordon River trailhead (5 km north of Port Renfrew): West Coast Trail Express bus, about 2 hours, CAD 60 one way (2026 fare chart; 5% fuel surcharge and 5% GST added). At the far end, Pachena Bay → Victoria on the same bus is CAD 120. Port Renfrew → Pachena Bay is CAD 95 if you leave a car at the south end. The bus runs 1 May-30 September; book ahead. Drivers can reach Pachena Bay by gravel logging road from Port Alberni (about 2 hours). Base: Port Renfrew (Gordon River trailhead, south) or Bamfield (Pachena Bay trailhead, north).

What is the best season for West Coast Trail?

May-September only. The trail is open for overnight hiking 1 May to 30 September and closed to overnight use the rest of the year (heavy rain, wind, high tides, big waves and short days). Every space is reserved in advance; there is no standby..

How much does the West Coast Trail trek cost?

From about ₹23,000 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.

What should I carry?

Full self-supported backpacking kit: tent, stove, all food for the trip plus one spare day, water filter or tablets, rain gear (hypothermia is a risk even in summer), boots with ankle support, gaiters for deep mud, a watch and printed tide table (some headlands are impassable at high tide), bear spray (Parks Canada strongly recommends one per group), and a satellite messenger or VHF radio, since there is no cell service at the trailheads.

Step 7 of 7Next: Sources

Sources and last check

Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • parks.canada.ca OfficialWCT fees: CAD 208.50 per trip (permit 184.75 + orientation 23.75), ferries CAD 28 each (Gordon River, Nitinaht Narrows), reservation CAD 11.50 online / 13.50 phone, daily admission rates; regular fees from 8 Sep 2026
  • parks.canada.ca Official75 km, 6-8 days, open 1 May-30 Sep, 2026 reservations opened 5 Feb 2026, no standby, group max 10, minimum age 6 (not recommended under 12), trailheads and access, Nitinaht water taxi about CAD 70 one way, hazards, water, campsites, closures (light stations, Nitinaht Triangle), bear spray, no cell service, briefing times
  • trailbus.com2026 West Coast Trail Express fares: Victoria-Gordon River CAD 60, Pachena Bay-Victoria CAD 120, Port Renfrew-Pachena Bay CAD 95; 5% fuel surcharge for 2026; GST extra; 10-day cancellation rule
  • trailbus.comShuttle runs 1 May-30 Sep; stops at Victoria, Port Renfrew, Gordon River, Nitinaht, Pachena Bay, Bamfield

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: JanBouma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Paxson Woelber · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Paxson Woelber · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Paxson Woelber · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Paula Reedyk · CC BY 2.0 · source

From the base · —
Cost