Wild Pacific Trail

We saved the best for our last day on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We had been watching the weather forecast and knew that today promised clear skies and sunny weather, perfect for the premiere hike in the Ucluelet/Tofino area. The Wild Pacific Trail skirts the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, where the ancient rainforest meets the open Pacific Ocean. This trail led us beneath the forest canopy and along a spectacular coastline.

The Wild Pacific Trail is in several sections; we began with the 2.6 km one called the Lighthouse Loop which begins where the road ends on the western edge of the Island. The trail traces the edge of a rocky headland past dramatic views of Barkley Sound and Amphitrite Lighthouse.

The interior of the headlands is a mossy rainforest.

Amphitrite Lighthouse.

Our lunch spot along the Lighthouse Loop.

Lunch view.

After lunch, we drove to the north end of the trail, parked along the highway (because there's no parking lot at this end) and took the trails called Ancient Cedars, Artist Loops, Brown's Beach, and Rocky Bluffs.

Honestly, we could stop at any spot along the trail and take a picture of magnificent, panoramic views. Here are some of them. Click on the pictures to enlarge them for more detail.

Once again, as with the Lighthouse Loop Trail, we hiked through the rainforest that came right to the waters' edge.

Today's Hike:
Length - 4hours, 47 minutes
Length - 8 miles exactly!
Elevation gain - 1,230 feet (123 floors on the Fitbit)