Hikes in Tofino

The Wild Pacific Trail is a 5.2 km out-and-back hiking route that travels along the coast in Ucluelet, BC, and provides several areas to view the scenic landscape. While the entire Wild Pacific Trail is broken up into three non-continuous sections, this stretch is the longest and follows the shoreline from Brown’s Beach to the Rocky Bluffs near the Ancient Cedars Trail. Along this route, you will have numerous opportunities to gaze out over the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and watch its relentless waves crash against the rocky shores.

The Wild Pacific Trail – Lighthouse Loop is a fantastic hiking route near Ucluelet, BC, that offers several beach access points, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and the chance to visit a functional lighthouse. This 2.9 km trail is well-maintained and features no stairs or steep sections, making it ideal for hikers of all skill and mobility levels. This hike is perfect for those who love scenic ocean views, hanging out by the beach, or visiting historical sites.

The hike at Radar Hill is a 0.5 km loop trail that will take you on a short journey from the parking lot and through the forest to a beautiful lookout over the rugged woodland landscape around Tofino. Along the trail, you will be able to check out a few historical sites from the Cold War Era and explore the area atop the hill. This is a brisk hike great for those who love charming scenery and historical sites.

The Cox Bay Lookout is a quick 1.0 km out-and-back hiking route near Tofino that will allow you to climb up to a vantage point with a commanding view overlooking the entire bay. This trail is no walk in the park as you will have to scramble exposed rocks and roots to reach the lookout; however, the short adventure and incredible views are worth the trouble as you will have the best sightline in the entire area. You’ll need some basic route-finding skills to locate the trailhead.

The Long Beach Trail is an 8.2 km out-and-back route that is more of a walk along the beach than a true hike. Make your way along the white sandy beach as you take in the coastal atmosphere and gaze out into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean before arriving at the rocky outcrop of Green Point. This route is a perfect way to get out and explore the beautiful coastal landscape around Tofino.

The Schooner Cove Trail is a 1.9 km out-and-back hiking route through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino that will allow hikers to experience the beautiful West Coast rainforest along a boardwalk. Descending the series of wooden steps, you will arrive at the edge of the ocean on Schooners Beach. Time your hike with the low tide to fully explore the coastal landscape.

The Big Tree Trail is a 3.2 km hiking loop near Tofino, BC, that will take you through the rainforests of Meares Island to view several massive, ancient trees. The atmosphere along the trail will almost feel magical as you hike along the wooden boardwalk and look out onto the large trees and thick underbrush that blankets the forest floor. This trail is only accessible by boat, so hikers will need to make arrangements to reach the island.

Half Moon Bay is a beautifully scenic stretch of beach near Tofino, BC, that can be accessed through a 4.2 km trail through the forest. The route is mainly made up of wooden boardwalks and features many stairs on the descent to the beach. Because of this, hikers with limited mobility might find this route difficult to traverse.

The Rainforest Trail is a 3.2 km circuit through the temperate rainforests near Tofino, BC, that will provide a fun and educational experience. Along the trail, you will find interpretive signs with information about the diverse plant life found in this precious ecosystem. This boardwalk trail is a perfect outing for families and hikers that are interested in their natural surroundings.

The Canso Crash Site Trail is a 5.2 km out-and-back hiking route south of Tofino that traverses various terrain through the forest to reach the site of a Royal Canadian Air Force plane crash from 1945. This hike is perfect for those that are looking to combine a fun day in the forest with an interest in visiting historical sites. The route passes through some very muddy terrain, so wear proper footwear to keep your feet dry on this hike.

The trek up 5040 Peak is a 6.9 km out-and-back hiking route that will lead you uphill past the serene shores of Cobalt Lake for some breathtaking views across the rugged Vancouver Island landscape. While out on the trail, hikers will experience beautiful forest scenery, charming waterfalls, and stunning alpine views as they work their way alongside the Effingham River towards the rugged summit. Pair this hike with an overnight stay in the ACC 5040 Alpine Hut for a memorable experience up in the mountains.

The Tonquin Trail is a 3.2 km out-and-back hiking route near Tofino, BC, that passes through a lovely stretch of forest terrain on the way to several beach lookouts. The trail is primarily made up of well-maintained gravel paths along relatively flat terrain, making it ideal for hikers of all skill levels. Combine this hike with a fun day at the beach or time it perfectly to enjoy a picturesque sunset over the water.

The Lone Cone Trail is a 5.8 km hiking route on Meares Island that can only be reached by boat from Tofino and offers the chance to get a bird’s eye view over the rugged and beautiful coastal landscape. The trail is a difficult uphill climb through the dense forests that will leave you feeling exhausted and rewarded by the fact that you were able to accomplish the feat. From the summit, you can look out over the blue expanse of the ocean, the numerous islands of the surrounding area, and the city of Tofino far below.

The South Beach Trail is a 1.7 km out-and-back hiking route near Tofino that takes hikers through the thick coastal forest to arrive at several scenic viewpoints overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The trail leads down to the white sands of South Beach, a secluded oceanside retreat where you can watch large waves crash on the massive rock formations. Certain viewpoints are great for whale-watching and spotting surfers as they ride the waves along Wickaninnish Beach.

The Hot Spring Cove Boardwalk Trail is a 3.9 km out-and-back hiking route in Maquinna Provincial Park that can be accessed from Tofino by seaplane or boat. This fantastic day-trip opportunity will take you through an awe-inspiring old-growth forest to arrive at a series of seven geothermal hot pools. The beauty of the trail and the relaxation you will feel from the hot springs will be enough to make you forget about the difficulty in getting there.

The Mallard Lake Trail is a 2.7 km out-and-back hiking route south of Tofino that passes through some rough and overgrown terrain to reach the shores of Mallard Lake. Although the trail itself isn’t overly difficult, the thick brush along the route tends to slow your progress on this short hike to the lake. That being said, the landscape is fairly scenic once you reach the shores of Mallard Lake, and several partial views extend to the surrounding area.

The Radar Beach Trail is a 2.1 km out-and-back route near Tofino that sets out from the top of Radar Hill and climbs down towards a beautiful stretch of beach. The descent is fairly technical and is often blanketed in mud during the rainier months, which makes traversing its length a bit tricky; however, there are ropes to help guide you along the path. From the end of the trail, you will have stunning views of the beautiful coastal landscape that will make you forget about the trouble of getting there in the first place.

The Shorepine Bog Trail is a 0.8 km hiking loop that traverses a wooden boardwalk and provides an insight into the exciting and unique bog ecosystem. Hikers will travel along the boardwalk and absorb information from interpretive signs about this otherworldly landscape. This route is perfect for a quick break from driving to stretch your legs and learn about the diversity of the landscape around Tofino.

The Nuu Chah Nulth Trail is a 6.1 km out-and-back hiking route that sets out from the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and heads through the forest to visit several stunning beaches. Along the trail, you will have access to viewpoints overlooking Wickaninnish Beach and Lismer Beach before making the trek through the forest to reach the edge of Florencia Bay. From there, hikers can backtrack through the forest and finish the day by descending to the stellar white sandy shores of South Beach. This is a perfect hike if you love fantastic beach views and hiking along boardwalks through beautiful temperate rainforests.

The Green Point Trail to Combers Beach is a quick hike that will take you from the Green Point Campground down to a magical scenic beach access point. Along the trail, you will pass through a lovely stretch of temperate rainforest before descending toward the white sandy shores of the beach. Make sure to time this hike with the sunset for the ultimate experience.