|
The Wild Pacific
Trail curves round the rugged and rocky shoreline of the Ucluelet
Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island, with incredible
views of the expansive Barkley Sound, the Broken Group Islands,
and the open Pacific Ocean.
The Wild Pacific
Trail begins near the mouth of Ucluelet Inlet, at Amphitrite Point
Lighthouse, and travels north along the open Pacific Ocean coastline
through Big Beach Park to the bike path just outside the community
of Ucluelet. The final section will extend the trail to Halfmoon
Bay in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Most of the
trail system consists of a smooth gravel walkway, but there are
some wooden boardwalk sections and stairs. The gravel pathways and
boardwalks wind through ancient spruce and cedar rainforest, and
along rock bluffs with ocean vistas. Note that the boardwalk sections
can be very slippery when wet. Benches are provided at viewpoints,
and hiking trails expose visitors to the miles of shoreline. The
trail is accessible to all ages and abilities including wheel chairs
in most areas. Bikes, horses and motorized vehicles are not permitted
on the park’s beaches or trails.
The trail is
presently divided into 3 sections: Lighthouse loop, Big Beach and
Brown's Beach. Brochures with trail maps are available at the visitor
centres in Ucluelet or at the Tofino/Ucluelet highway junction.
Lighthouse
loop
The Lighthouse loop of the Wild Pacific Trail is a 2.7-km loop (30-45
minutes) passed Amphitrite Point Lighthouse ending at He-Tin-Kis
Park. The trail is wide enough for 2-3 people to walk side-by-side.
Start at the new parking lot at the 0 km point, midway on Coast
Guard Road. Walk through a short section of mossy rainforest that
provides dramatic views of Barkley Sound and Amphitrite Lighthouse.
Stay on the coastline trail, which will loop back to the parking
lot. The two parking lots at each end of the loop are just 200 metres
apart.
Big Beach
Park at the intersection of Marine and Matterson Road. Either follow
the roadside along Marine Drive to your right, or go straight down
to the beachfront picnic area for the scenic route. Turn right up
the stairs to the boardwalk overlook. After the bridge, the trail
crosses Marine Drive. Turn left passed a newly-built resort before
returning to the coastline trail. This section runs from 4.5 to
5.5 km.
Brown's
Beach
The Brown's Beach section of the Wild Pacific Trail runs to the
bike path just outside of Ucluelet (5.5 to 8.4 km). The trailhead
is located at a parking lot just passed Black Rock Resort on Marine
Drive. Turn right to follow a short section of forested trail near
a new road to a wilderness coastal trail. Follow the coastline and
double back for the most scenic path. You can also walk in a loop
via the forested access trails to Forbes Road sports field, or exit
at the Pacific Rim Highway. Turn right to follow the bike path back
to town.
The Wild Pacific
Trail is accessible year around, and when completed, the trail will
stretch for 14 kilometres. The final section will extend the trail
to Halfmoon Bay in the Long Beach section of Pacific Rim National
Park.
|