West Coast Trail - Port Renfrew Trailhead — Attraction in Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island I tried to gift myself the experience of this legendary trail not once, but twice.Be flexible with your plans, 8f first time have an extra night planned.

The first attempt ended amidst an atmospheric river — relentless rain, slippery ladders, slick boardwalks, fallen logs, and crashing ocean waves. It was bitterly cold. We couldn’t finish: my hiking partner was injured, and we had to be evacuated.

Exactly one year later, the trail welcomed us again — this time with sunshine, warmth, and four dry, unforgettable days.

The West Coast Trail is both physically and mentally demanding. But the raw, untamed beauty of the coastline is beyond words. It’s absolutely worth every challenge.

Be ready for anything. The weather can shift dramatically, so pack smart — every extra pound in your backpack will make a difference.

During the first two days, your body runs on reserves, and your appetite might be normal. But by day three, expect intense hunger. Bring extra food portions — you’ll need them.

Toilet paper? Bring your own. It’s not provided at trail outhouses — this is your responsibility.

At night, your tent must be completely free of anything that smells remotely edible — yes, even toothpaste, tablets, or wet wipes. Pack everything tightly. Every creature in the forest will want a peek...

Did the hike in 1998, 2001 and 2004. Always in August. The fact my brother and I did the trail three times should tell you how much we enjoyed the experience at the Pacific Rim. Lots of mud, lots of roots and many ladders. But greatly rewarded with scenery and campfire atmosphere (we usually lucked out and were able to make fires). One of the coolest spots: Walbran Creek - it was never on the maps when we went there. But there's plenty of room and an outhouse. And the water is reFRESHing 😅 We always hiked North to South which is the only "right" way to hike it IMHO. It starts out easy on the first stretch, and then gets progressively tougher as you go along. But then you are used to your backpack and the weight lightens from day to day, as you sip away on your six-pack of Kokanee beer 😁 Don't forget to pack out your trash though! We plan to be back some day. Cheers...

Finally time to share my experience. Extremely dangerous. You bet your life on a simple slip. Some sections you have to walk by a cliff with no rails, no trees to lean against, on a slippery ground, literaly 1 foot wide. I wouldn't do it even if someone paid me to. People say WCT is dangerous if you're not experience but it's dangerous even for experienced hikers. I'm sure people have died here but they never shared statistics. The ladders are so long and at some sections you simply know, you fall, you die. Hiking is known to be a relatively safe activity unless you do something extremely stupid. That doesn't apply to the WCT. It should be called something else so people are aware of what they're...