Hiking Backpacking
Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver Island Hiking & Backpacking NEW Eco Buttons Advertise here EH !

Vancouver Island Hiking & Backpacking trails provide access to some of the best remote wilderness destinations in Canada. The vast network of trails developed on the island includes everything from paved walking paths to sandy beach hiking trails to week-long wilderness camping excursions.

The landscape plays a big part in a Vancouver Island hiking adventure. Everywhere you look there is nature. Some trails lead to mountain peaks looking down on the Gulf Islands. Other trails slice through thick, lush rainforest for miles.

Then there are trails that were once used by the First Nation people and the European settlers for transporting supplies that have been developed into treasured trails visiting abandoned villages and spiritual summits. Some trails follow the fish ladders of the migrating salmon as the make their way up river. Some of the most colorful colored trails are located in some of the floral gardens on the island. These paved paths are surrounded by flowers, ponds and birds.

Accessing some of the wilderness trails on the island requires a good 4x4 vehicle as many trailheads are located at the end of a long line of active and deactivated logging roads. These trails require good fitness and good equipment as they last for days.

Some of the more popular BCeh.com wilderness backpacking trails include the West Coast Trail, Cape Scott Trail, Khea Bay Trail and Raft Cove. All wilderness adventures should be led by an experienced hiker who is very experienced with the west coast weather and terrain. All backpackers should have very good boots, tent, layered clothing, rain gear, water, whistle, waterproof matches, etc.

It is better to be prepared then caught in a storm of trouble.

Many trails on the island can be completed in a few hours. Some of which are very well developed trail systems with outhouses, picnic tables, viewing benches along a fine gravel or paved pathway. All walkers along a paved trail and any relatively easy access trail should be aware that the trail may be used also by mountain bikers, roller bladers and joggers... so keep your head up.

Vancouver Island Backpacking & Walking