North Coast Trail

The North Coast Trail runs along the coast of Vancouver Island from Shushartie Bay near Port Hardy westward to the well established hiking trail network at Cape Scott Provincial Park. Like the trails at Cape Scott, the North Coast Trail makes use of traditional First Nations’ routes, abandoned pioneer roads and a great deal of new, modern hiking trail construction.

The trail is located within the Nahwitti-Shushartie Addition to Cape Scott Provincial Park, part of the Tlatlasikwala First Nation’s traditional territory, and joins Cape Scott Provincial Park at Nissen Bight. Both the Tlatlasikwala of Hope Island and the Quatsino First Nation of Coal Harbour along with the North Coast Trails Society have been active in developing the trail in partnership with BC Parks and private contractors. The planning, fundraising and construction of the North Coast Trail have been ongoing for over a decade and its opening was much anticipated by the proponents and hikers keen to see this ruggedly spectacular part of Vancouver Island’s coast.

Such are the opportunities, stunning scenery, wilderness character and physical challenges of the North Coast Trail that the trek from Shushartie Bay to San Josef Bay, despite a reluctance to pick favourites, has to be considered among the best coastal hikes anywhere in the world.