Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The Juan de Fuca Trail is a multi-day hike along the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, …
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The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is a spectacular canoe trip in Northern British Columbia. It takes about a week to paddle the chain of 12 lakes arranged in a rough rectangle shape. I paddled the Bowron Lakes over eight days and experienced gorgeous mountain scenery, beautiful lakes, wildlife, and incredible campsites. Since it includes only …
The North Coast Trail is a challenging 43km multi-day backpacking trip along the northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I hiked the trail twice (to research my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island). I’ve put together a section-by-section overview of the North Coast Trail to give you a taste of the trail and help …
The North Coast Trail is a multi-day wilderness hike across the very northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It’s a challenging and remote hike through old-growth rainforest, along beaches, and across muddy coastal bogs. The 43-kilometre-long hike is difficult but beautiful. I hiked the trail twice (to research my book Backpacking on …
If you want to get off-the-beaten-path in Whistler, try hiking to Parkhurst Ghost Town. This former logging settlement on the shores of Green Lake is littered with historical artefacts including collapsed buildings, abandoned cars, old stoves, and even an intact cabin. The town has been uninhabited since the 1960s and is slowly being reclaimed by …
Cape Scott Provincial Park is at the very northern tip of Vancouver Island. It’s a remote but beautiful place: old-growth rainforest, coastal bog, gorgeous white sand beaches, and lots of historical sites. It’s a 23.6km hike from the trailhead to the lighthouse at Cape Scott, so most visitors do it as a backpacking trip, staying …
If you think of National Parks in Canada, you probably think of the famous National Parks in Canada’s Rocky Mountains near Banff. And yes, the mountain parks are spectacular. But… Canada is a REALLY big country with a REALLY varied landscape. And we have dozens of National Parks spread all the way from sea to …
The entire time I was in Revelstoke I kept thinking: “This place would be waaaay busier if it was closer to a big city…BUT it’s so awesome that it’s not.” Revelstoke, British Columbia is a small town in between big mountain ranges. It’s got all kinds of outdoor adventures, a vibrant downtown with lots to …
Organizing transportation to the West Coast Trail can be one of the most complicated parts of the hike. There are a few different options for getting to the start and getting back from the finish, and it can be hard to figure out which one makes the most sense for you. I have also talked …
The West Coast Trail is a wilderness experience: each night you’ll pitch your tent on a remote beach and listen to the waves crash as you fall asleep. I’ve hiked the West Coast Trail twice and visited all of the campgrounds. And I can tell you… some of them are definitely nicer than others. (And …