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The West Coast Trail ...not for the faint-hearted!
The West Coast Trail is for serious outdoor enthusiasts and dedicated hikers only. It's tough, it's long, it's muddy and dangerous in parts, and it's cold! Sound like fun?
It's a challenge for the serious, healthy hiker.
The 75 kilometer trail, which is now part of the Pacific Rim National Parks system and is located between the towns of Bamfield and Port Renfrew, can take anywhere from 5 to 10 days to travel.
Because of this, it is necessary to bring all of your own supplies. This includes food, water, a tent and sleeping gear. There is nowhere to get more supplies so you must be sure to pack enough while keeping your gear manageable enough to travel with.
Due to its location and the conditions encountered, the West Coast Trail is only available from May through September. Additionally, there is now a reservation system in place to limit the amount of hikers that can begin the trail every day.
There is also a mandatory traveling permit and a registration fee required in order to hike the trail; combined these costs will run over $150.
This Coastal Trail can be dangerous to traverse and can be physically and emotionally taxing. The chance for injury on the West Coast Trail is high, as you will be left to your own devices in nature for several days.
During your journey across the trail you will climb ladders (some of which can be daunting at several hundred feet in length up and down steep cliffs), cross a numerous variety of bridges and will likely be forced to change your routes and timing for factors such as the tides. You will also have to use manually operated cable cars across rivers.
The area gets a lot of rain, so it is necessary to bring proper clothing in preparation for this. You are hiking the edge of a rainforest!
Below is a short video (just over three minutes) of a British Army training team, hiking the West Coast Trail. It gives you an idea of the environment and the challenges you would encounter. It's narrated as a British news-story (which is why it's a little "fuzzy") so open up the sound and enjoy--->
For those who decide that they are willing to take on the challenging hiking trail, it can be a beautiful and rewarding experience.
The scenery and views you can find along its distance are pristine and unmatched. There are amazing forests with massive, towering trees. Hikers will encounter lots of wildlife and in certain lucky instances can even come across baby seal pups.
As with all wildlife, hikers are strongly encouraged to keep their distance. With these creatures, they can be abandoned by their parents and in the cases of the area’s predators, such as wolves and bears, you can provoke an attack.
The West Coast Trail was originally made over 100 years ago as a means to rescue sailors from shipwrecks. The coastline that the trail traverses is famous for being difficult and dangerous and has over 50 shipwrecks to its credit.
As you can see from the provided description, this is a trip best left to those with plenty of outdoor, hiking and camping experience who are also in good shape and ready to brave the conditions.
If this challenging hiking trail is not for you, do not be ashamed and do not worry about missing out; there are many smaller, easier and more accessible trails in the region as well. Many of us are just not ready for this demanding experience: one of the most exciting hiking trails in the world!
