Skookumchuck Narrows Trailhead — Attraction in Area A (Egmont/Pender Harbour)

This is the point, about 750 metres along the approximately 4 plus kilometre hike from the Skookumchuck Park parking area (right on Egmont Rd) near Egmont, traveling on the flat mostly level Doriston Hwy (the road is there for private residences, please respect their property etc) ... the Park Trail Head is just as it branches down towards the water on Old School Trail, the entrance to the start of the wooded path is very clearly marked. From the trail head it is less than 3.5 kilometres to Roland Point to observe the exciting tidal rapids; however, do not be fooled by the relatively easy start, IT IS A CHALLENGING HIKE. There are many steep ups and downs with plenty of trip hazards and rocks. Wear the appropriate footwear. IF you are up to the physical challenge (note: there is a public AED at the trailhead if required in a medical emergency) and you plan your timing correctly (tidal whirlpools - North Point or tidal rapids Roland Point) the hour long hike is very worthwhile to see these unusual...

Beautiful and well worth the hike! The trail is first a road but residents are respectful and drive slow. Then the trail is a beautiful mix of old growth. There are lots of bumps and tree roots and it can get quite busy with people. I tried to run it and cut the hour trail to the rapids down, so I could make the Earls Cove Ferry but it was a little too technical to keep up speed with the amount of people. At the rapids there was a great show of people in kayaks “surfing” the waves. Go at high tide for the best rapids. I’ve driven by between the ferries probably 100 times and never made either to the narrows so I am so glad I finally made it happen! I did miss the ferry but it was worth the experience. There is also a museum across the street from the trail head and they offer parking but follow the signs. There are pit toilets near the rapids so about...

We saw DOLPHINS - a huge pod of them in the bay. No rapids because we arrived at low tide but we honestly were more excited about seeing 20ish dolphins rather than rushing water. We also saw a sea lion and tons of tidal pools filled with starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers and other little creatures! The hike itself was 1 hr each way and mostly easy to moderate - lots of roots and rocks on the trail especially toward the end. You get a much better view from Roland point than north point so if you only walk to one, do Roland - it is a bit farther (maybe 10 min each way) but highly worth it - you can walk right down to the water whereas North point is more of a high lookout walled off with fences. You can take an off the beaten path trail to the water but it looks a bit more challenging than at...