Hikes in North Vancouver Island

Hiking to the Little Huson Caves is a short adventure that will take you through the forest to explore a series of naturally occurring karst caves in the rugged Vancouver Island landscape. This quick 0.8 km out-and-back hiking route is well-maintained and lets you get up close and personal with the caves, making it an ideal excursion for hikers of all skill levels, especially families with young children. For little required effort, this hidden gem of a trail is an amazing outdoor adventure that you won’t soon forget.

The Fort Rupert Trail is a 7.4 km out-and-back hiking route near Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island that takes hikers through a beautiful stretch of West Coast temperate rainforest. Along the trail, you can expect a nice variety of terrain that includes gravel walkways, wooden boardwalks, and dirt trails through the lush rainforest. With dedicated trailheads at both ends of the route, hikers can choose which direction they would like to travel and where they would like to begin and end their hike.

The Raft Cove Trail is a 3.5 km out-and-back hiking route in Raft Cove Provincial Park that will take you through a thick stretch of temperate rainforest to arrive at a scenic West Coast beach. Along the trail, hikers will experience some tough terrain that includes rocky and muddy trails, but also picturesque scenery along the coast. If you want to spend a few days in the area, make use of the tent pads down the beach towards the Mackjack River for a fun weekend of camping along the coast.

The Dakota 576 Crash Site Trail is a slightly overgrown but fun hiking route that will take you from Bear Cove to a memorial site for a 1944 RCAF plane crash. Along the trail, hikers will experience a variety of terrain types that include gravel pathways and muddy trails with fixed rope sections to help you traverse the unmaintained upper portion of the route. This trail is a bit rugged but not overly difficult, making it suitable for casual hikers or those with an interest in visiting historical sites.

The Kusam Klimb Trail is a 21.6 km lollipop hiking route near Sayward, BC that will take you uphill through the forest to loop around the summit of H’Kusam Mountain. Along the trail, hikers will experience a good variety of terrain types that include logging roads, thick stretches of forest, and rocky trails with sections of rope to aid in your climb. With amazing views that sweep across Vancouver Island, there is no reason to put off this long, challenging, but rewarding hike.

The Upana Caves Trail is a quick 0.6 km lollipop hiking route west of Gold River, BC that will take you through a forest to a series of underground caves. While out on the trail, hikers will experience a peaceful forest setting along the flowing waters of the Upana River before descending a series of stairs to enter into the subterranean atmosphere of the caves. Remember to bring decent hiking footwear and a flashlight in order to get the most out of your adventure in the cool cave environment. Those with claustrophobia may prefer to skip this hike.

The Microwave Tower Trail is a 5.3 km out-and-back hiking route that climbs uphill along a gravel service road to reach a lookout point next to a radio tower. The trail consists of a well-maintained gravel road that is flanked by heavy forest on either side for the duration of the hike and offers some partial views of the surrounding coastal landscape from the summit. Due to the slight uphill climb and easy-going nature of the trail, this hiking route is suitable for hikers of most skill levels, although families with young children might struggle.

The hike up to Woss Lookout is one of the best value hikes that you can find in northern Vancouver Island. This 1.4 km out-and-back hiking route will take you up a steep hill to an absolutely breathtaking viewpoint that offers a sightline over the Nimpkish River Valley and the surrounding mountain peaks. Make sure to attempt the drive in with a 4x4 high clearance vehicle, as the road is very rough with steep drop offs.

The Tex Lyon Trail is a 12.7 km out-and-back hiking route near Port Hardy, BC that will allow hikers to experience the natural beauty and rugged nature of the coastal landscapes of Vancouver Island. Along the route, you will have some amazing views looking out across the waters of Beaver Harbour, as well as the chance to spot local wildlife like eagles and amphibians. The trail itself is poorly maintained and overgrown, so make sure to bring a GPS to stay on the correct course.

The Dave Farrant Trail to Blinkhorn Point is a 77.0 km out-and-back hiking route that follows closely along the coast of Vancouver Island to provide views looking out over the Johnstone Strait. Hikers along the trail will experience the best of both worlds, as they can hike through a serene West Coast temperate rainforest setting and the beautiful but rugged landscape of the coast. Make sure to check the tides before you set out on your hike, as the Blinkhorn Peninsula becomes an island when the water level is high enough.

The Merry Widow Ridge Trail is a 6.9 km out-and-back hiking route on the northern end of Vancouver Island that allows you to explore the rugged mountain peaks that can be found in this part of the interior. Along the trail, hikers will climb uphill through the forest before transitioning to more exposed terrain along the rugged ridgeline for some amazing views of the surrounding peaks, including Merry Widow Mountain. The road into the trailhead is pretty rough, so make sure to use a vehicle capable of maneuvering the rugged terrain.

The Marble River Trail is a 6.4 km out-and-back hiking route within Marble River Provincial Park that showcases the stunning beauty of Vancouver Island’s forest landscape. Along the trail, hikers will follow closely alongside the rushing waters of the Marble River as they stroll through breathtaking second-growth forests that are the result of natural weather disturbances in the area. The well-spaced trees create an open yet vibrant atmosphere that is packed with natural beauty and is sure to make for a pleasant hiking experience.

The San Josef Bay hike follows an 8.7 km out-and-back route through Cape Scott Provincial Park that takes you to two scenic beaches along the coast of San Josef Bay. Along the trail, hikers will traverse a variety of terrain types that include gravel pathways through the forest and white sandy beaches. Although the route has a small amount of elevation gain, it is spread throughout the trail, making it suitable for hikers of all ages and skill levels.

The Bere Point Trail is a 10.5 km out-and-back hiking route near Sointula on Malcolm Island that travels along the coastline for amazing views across the water towards mainland British Columbia. Along the trail, hikers will make their way through a dense stretch of Pacific temperate rainforest that is filled with mammoth moss-covered trees, wooden staircases, and a vibrant green forest floor. This is an amazing hike through scenic but sometimes challenging terrain that can be difficult for some hikers to traverse due to steep trails and stairs.

Tod Mountain via Altitude Trail is a 9.7 km lollipop hiking route at the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort that will take you through forests and across ski runs to summit the forested peak of Tod Mountain. Along the trail, you will visit the charming shores of Tod Lake, before experiencing some amazing views of the surrounding area from atop the summit. Hikers will need to either utilize the chairlift to reach the trailhead or extend their journey by hiking up the mountainside. You will be required to purchase a hiking pass to utilize the trails in this area.