Comments on: West Coast Trail Transportation: How to Get There

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:43:38 +0000

In reply to Trevor Wiebe. Yes, if you are driving to Pachena Bay/Bamfield, it makes more sense to take the ferry to Nanaimo.

By: Trevor Wiebe

Trevor Wiebe — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:18:02 +0000

In reply to Taryn Eyton. Thanks so much, Taryn. I will be driving from the Okanagan, so it looks like it might take close to 10 hours to arrive at Pachena Bay. I think i will arrive a couple of days before my hike. If I could just ask one last question: Should I take the ferry to Nanaimo? Thanks again!

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:28:13 +0000

In reply to Trevor Wiebe.

Hi Trevor
Those ferry charges on your booking are for small passenger ferries on the trail to cross rivers. You still need to get yourself to Vancouver Island.
If you are concerned about driving the backroads, I would just book the shuttle both ways from Victoria.
If you want to drive yourself to one end I would drive to Pachena Bay (Bamfield) – driving instructions are in the post. It involves some driving on unpaved backroads but is well signed. The trickier drive is between the two trailheads, so my advice is to take a shuttle for that portion.
So your itinerary would be: Drive to Pachena Bay. Catch the afternoon shuttle to Gordon River. Camp at the Pacheedaht Campground or stay at a Hotel in Port Renfrew. Start the trail the following day.
If you have more questions, I do provide custom itinerary planning services and phone consultations. More info here: https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/custom-trip-planning/

By: Trevor Wiebe

Trevor Wiebe — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 17:09:26 +0000

Hi Taryn – Thanks for all this great information. I will continue to reference this as my trip approaches. Speaking of which: my friend and I will be starting our hike at Gordon River in August. You mention driving to your exit point (i.e., Pachena Bay) and then taking a shuttle to where you will start (i.e., Gordon River). However, you also mention that the drive out to Pachena Bay is tricky. How would you plan your transportation if you were hiking from Gordon River to Pachena Bay?

Also, our booking has the following charges:
Gordon River Ferry Fee for 2 People @ $24.00: $48.00
Nitinaht Village Ferry Fee for 2 People @ $24.00: $48.00

Does this mean that we don’t have to book a ferry to drive over to the island?
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 18:10:56 +0000

In reply to Darrell Kinas. Hi Darrell, If you take the bus from Victoria, it drops off both in Port Renfrew and at the trailhead (Gordon River). If you stay overnight in Port Renfrew beforehand, ask your hotel or guest house about arranging a ride to the trailhead for you. There is no official taxi service in town, but many locals give rides for cash.

By: Darrell Kinas

Darrell Kinas — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 03:17:42 +0000

Hi Taryn,
We are doing the west coast trail in July, you mention that the trail head is around 4 km’s from port renfrew,how do you get to the trail head? We are thinking of taking the bus from Victoria to port renfrew does that get us to the trail head?
Thanks
Darrell

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 14:23:17 +0000

In reply to Andrew. That logging road bus ride is definitely not awesome! Although after enduring 9 hour bus rides in Nepal, I'd have to say it's not the worst thing ever :)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 01:49:54 +0000

I second your comment on taking the bus first. It’s been a long time (2002) since I hiked the WCT. It’s still ranks as one of the best vacations I’ve taken in my life…minus the 3 hour logging road ride home. Do it first for sure! Cool map feature!