The West Coast path is a rare journey in Pacific Rim Nationwide Park, climbing and tenting alongside the seashores and forests of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Making a West Coast path reservation is step one in planning to hike this rugged route.
All spots on the path have to be booked forward by way of Nationwide Parks Canada. On this submit we run you thru all bookings and planning that have to be achieved forward to hike the West Coast Path with hyperlinks to the suitable websites (to only make it a bit simpler).
Why make a West Coast Path Reservation?
Make a West Coast Path reservation forward to keep away from disappointment, the favored dates are sometimes grabbed up as quickly as reservations open up. The West Coast Path is open to hike from Might 1 – Sept 30. There are solely 70 spots out there to start out climbing the path on a regular basis; 25 from Gordon River, 25 from Pachena Bay and 20 from Nitinaht Narrows. Deciding the place to start out climbing? See all about completely different choices to hike in our Full Information to hike the West Coast Path.
West Coast Path Reserving and Planning on doing Forward
To hike the West Coast Path the next have to be reserved and organized in time:
- Get to Vancouver Island.
- Lodging earlier than and after the path.
- Ebook transport to and from the trailhead.
- Reserve the West Coast Path.
- Meals for the path.
- Packing (gear and garments).
Info Wanted to Make a Reserving on the West Coast Path
Hold the next info able to make a reservation on the path
- begin dates – first alternative and alternate dates
- variety of hikers in your group
- emergency contacts for hikers
- cost methodology – Visa, MasterCard or American Categorical accepted
- place to begin – Pachena Bay, Gordon River or Nitinaht Village
- contact electronic mail handle
Methods to make a West Coast Path Reservation
Reservation of the West Coast Path is completed on the Parks Canada Reservation Web page. West Coast Path reservations opened at 08:00 am on 22 January 2022. Ebook on-line 24/7, you too can cellphone the decision middle 1-877-737-3783 (toll-free inside Canada & US) or 1-519-826-5391 (worldwide).
On the Parks Canada West Coast Path Reservation Web page choose
- Reservation Sort – West Coast Path
- Park – West Coast Path
- Your arrival date of curiosity (beginning date)
- The quantity of nights you’re planning to spend on the path
- Your group (occasion) dimension
You continue to have to pick your place to begin.
Click on on ‘discover websites‘ you have got three choices; Record, Calendar or Map. It’s the similar info displayed in several methods and makes no distinction which one you choose.
Within the sidebar on the left of the display you will notice a ‘discover a sight‘ part, my settings above had been as follows:
- Reservation Sort – West Coast Path
- Arrival Date – 1 Might, Nights – 6
- Again Nation Experience – West Coast Path, Entry Factors
- Get together Dimension – 2
- Entry Level – Gordon River (South)
Your entry level choices are Gordon River within the South, Pachena Bay within the North or Nitinaht Village within the center. You’ll be able to reserve your reserving right here, or click on on particulars adopted by website calendar to see a website calendar exhibiting which beginning dates are booked or nonetheless out there.
Couldn’t Get a Reservation on the WCT?
In the event you couldn’t get a spot otherwise you wish to do a shorter hike think about climbing the Juan de Fuca Path. This superior seashore and wilderness path additionally begin at Port Renfrew and takes three to five days to finish the 47 kilometer path. Surroundings is much like the West Coast Path and no reservation is required. You may as well begin at and end at a number of factors alongside the path making it extra versatile. I actually loved the Juan de Fuca path, however in my view the West Coast Path is extra well-known for a reason and was a extra spectacular hike.
West Coast Path Transport Reservation
Reserving or arranging some kind of transport is essential because the West Coast path is just not round. You cannot hike out of your automobile ending at your automobile once more. Most individuals climbing the path will drive to 1 trailhead, and use the shuttle bus to get to the opposite trailhead. You may as well use the shuttle bus each methods. The West Coast Path Categorical offers a shuttle bus service in season, Might 1 to September 30, selecting up and dropping off passengers at Victoria, Port Renfrew, Gordon River, Pachena Bay, Bamfield and Nanaimo.
The Shuttle Bus tickets are fairly dear at $CAD55 from Victoria to Port Renfrew/Gordon River and $CAD 110 from Bamfield/Pachena Bay to Victoria. The shuttle buses are outdated model faculty buses, not very fancy or snug, but it surely will get you there and again. In the event you do guide the return shuttle there’s a 20% low cost. You’ll be able to cancel the tickets with a minimal of 10 days notification.
Essentially the most handy solution to get to and from the path is with your individual transport. For automobile rental we like to make use of Rentalcars Join, this website compares all the principle rental companies supplying you with the perfect deal on-line.
To stroll north from Gordon River and finish at Pachena Bay, simply take a shuttle bus with West Coast Path Categorical again from the top of your hike at Pachena Bay to your automobile at Gordon River.
to stroll south from Pachena Bay ending the hike at your automobile at Gordon River, you’re taking a shuttle bus from Gordon River to Pachena Bay ($90) earlier than the hike and begin strolling south. Only a few individuals drive to the northern and park on the Pachena Bay trailhead because the gravel street to the trailhead is just not good and tough to navigate.
Transport Notes
Arrive in time for the orientation – The WCT orientation is obligatory to attend earlier than you begin your stroll. Orientation is given twice each day at 10:00 and 14:00 each day between Might 1st and September 30th, following the orientation there’s an included ferry crossing to the trailhead.
The Ferry again to the mainland – it is very important notice that should you take the shuttle again from both aspect Pachena Bay or Gordon River you’ll in all probability not make it again to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal in time to catch the final ferry again to Vancouver.
Parking your automobile – Gordon River trailhead, there’s parking on the Pacheedaht First Nations Reserve close to the Gordon River trailhead. Parking is $5/day, pay on the Pacheedaht Campground workplace.
Arrive by boat from Vancouver – Methods to get to Bamfied by boat; take a public ferry from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver to Departure Bay on Vancouver Island, from right here an Island Hyperlink Bus to Port Alberni, The Woman Rose Marine Companies runs a freight ship that transports some passengers a couple of days per week between Port Alberni and Bamfield. Go by taxi from Bamfield to Pachena Bay trailhead.
Attending to Vancouver Island
BC Ferries is the simplest solution to get to Vancouver island from the mainland. Ferry tickets don’t must be reserved, you should buy ferry tickets on the day of boarding. The ferry terminals are serviced by common public busses on each ends. It’s also doable to board the ferry with your individual automobile. Ferries depart from Tsawwassen (close to Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (Close to Victoria) Ferry Schedule and from Tsawwassen to Duke Level (close to Nanaimo) in addition to from Horseshoe Bay (close to Vancouver) to Departure Bay (in Nanaimo). It’s a good ferry journey to Tsawwassen that I’ve achieved a number of time. The ferry rides takes about 1h30min with meals and low out there on the ferry. You sail near the islands with good views, you possibly can even see whales with some luck!
There are some superb things to do in Vancouver in case you have a few days earlier than come to Vancouver Island.
West Coast Path Value
Mountain climbing the West Coast path value me in complete round $CAD 600, of which $210 was payable at registration on-line.
- Registration – $CAD210 (payable upon registration)
- Break up West Coast Path In a single day Use Price: $136 and two ferry crossing charges, Gordon River: $24 and Nitinat Slender: $24, reservation payment is $25.75
- Pacific Rim Park Allow – $CAD 52.25 payable on the orientation
- Meals – $CAD17 per day pp – $102
- Transport – $CAD55 + $CAD110 = 165 – 20% low cost = $CAD132
- Bear spray – $CAD50
- Range Gasoline – $CAD10
Reserving Lodging earlier than and After the West Coast Path
There are many lodging choices to fit your price range in Port Renfrew and Victoria for the evening earlier than or after the path. Test beneath and reserve effectively rated lodging to fit your wants.
Victoria
Port Renfrew
Packing for the West Coast Path
You should pack and carry all garments, meals and equipment that you will want for the entire period of the path. The West Coast path might be moist and grueling, so it is crucial that your pack is mild and waterproof. You don’t want to climb a 100 ladders with a heavy moist pack and sleep in moist garments! Test our West Coast Path packing record information to pack like a professional! Every part from meals and paperwork to garments and equipment.
