Vancouver Island Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is no walk in the park. It is ,however, one of the most beautiful, rugged, wilderness areas in British Columbia and... it is the oldest protected wilderness forest of Vancouver Island. Walbran Provincial Park consists of three sections - Lower Carmanah Valley, the Walbran Valley and the Upper Carmanah Valley.

But, to access the beauty of the Lower Carmanah Valley, the Walbran Valley and the Upper Carmanah Valley, one must be prepared for mud, roots and for the total rainforest experience. It is for the adventurer with no fear, so please be well prepared with hiking boots, proper rain gear and camping equipment.

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a mix-mash of wilderness forest ecosystems. An absolute natural treat for the eyes. The hiking trails, although rough and challenging, take you on a trip through Sitka Spruce eco-systems covering the skyline reaching up to 100 metres in the air and have like over 800 rings (years old) to there name!

Nature is a resilient bunch and nothing indicates that more then the twisted 1000 year old cedars clinging to rock cliffs and wrapping around boulders. The forest floors are lushly coated in sponge-like moss with families of giant ferns everywhere. A homeland to a great variety of protected species of fauna. They say Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is home to 2% of of what is left of British Columbia's old growth forests.

The Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a natural wilderness environment with Black Bears, Cougars, Bald Eagles and Wolves. The park is over 16,450 hectares in size so there is plenty of room for everyone to play. All hikers and backpackers entering the Carmanah Walbran should be "wildlife aware" and know all the proper precautions when encountering any of the wildlife in this wilderness park.

The Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a wilderness hiking and backpacking destination. Therefore, the trails, although beautiful, are difficult and challenging. Attempting the the longer backpacking hikes like the August Creek Trail is just under 9 kilometres and takes under 5 hours to complete under good conditions but weather is the wildcard. August Creek should be enjoyed by experienced hikers only who are in good shape and possess good hiking smarts.

All hikes in the Carmanah Walbran include the 1.3 kilometres, 20 minute jaunt to the "Junction". At this point in the trail you veer upstream toward August Creek, or downstream toward the Randy Stoltmann Commemorative Grove. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park has no gas, no lodging, no food and no telephone. Ya got nothing for conveniences in the wilderness. Just you and nature.

The closest services are in Nitnat at the Didtidaht First Nation Centre. There are some areas for wilderness camping with tent pads and picnic tables like past the Three Sisters. There are pit toilets located along the trails.

How to get to Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

The park can be approached from three angles. All leading to the Caycuse River Bridge. From Port Renfrew it is a 20 kilometre drive over well used logging roads.

Arriving from Port Alberni, British Columbia follow the well used logging roads on Bamfield Road for about 40 km to the Franklin River Junction. At the junction, turn left onto South Main and keep driving past the logging camp buildings and toward Nitnat Lake. Don't stop now, continue driving down South Main for approximately 23 km to the Nitnat River Bridge. Stay on South Main until Caycuse River Bridge.

Arriving from the Lake Cowichan end starts at Honeymoon Bay, here you turn left and proceed along South Shore Road, which becomes Nitnat Main. Turn left onto South Main and proceed to the Caycuse River Bridge.

All roads leading to Caycuse River Bridge where you turn right immediately and proceed on Rosander Main for approximately 29 km to the park. Good luck!