Hiking
The Juan de Fuca Trail (EB)
The Edge of Paradise-Disappearing Wilderness
6 days-Strenuous -CDN$1,249 + 12% HST
| Dates | Availability |
|---|---|
| July 2-7, 2012 |
Available |
| September 3-8, 2012 | Available |
| September 9-14, 2012 | Available |
The Juan de Fuca Trail was completed about 15 years ago as an extension of the West Coast Trail experience. It was intended to be a bit shorter and less strenuous than the West Coast Trail, but over the years, it has worn itself into a strenuous journey. The Juan de Fuca Trail is accessible by highway all along its route via access trails. This trail is less exposed than the West Coast Trail, so the terrain is a little less varied, but that is hardly noticeable. The beaches and forest are still magnificent.
The end of the trail, Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew, is famous for its tide pools. The abundance of Pacific sea life is available for viewing in this very large tide pool area. The large beach in the middle of the trail, Sombrio Beach, is a beach shared with surfers, which can be very entertaining to watch while kicking back at the end of a day's hike. This beach also has a distinct history. It was a squatter's community for many years until made into a provincial park. The eastern half of the trail is the most difficult, but it is rewarded with some really incredible beaches and coastal views.
Unfortunately, this trail will probably all but disappear in the next decade as a developer puts in over 250 homes along the park's boundary. It will become a dog walking trail along the coast.
The Juan de Fuca trail is a good warm-up for the longer West Coast Trail, or as a combination vacation with a Gulf Islands kayak tour.
The Juan de Fuca Trail has been fairly tamed using the available features. This set of stairs carved out of a log is one example.
Sombrio Beach was a squatter's settlement for many years. One of the artistic artifacts left behind is this modern totem.
If you are interested in this trip, you might also want to look at the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Park. Or if you want a similar coastal experience, but in a kayak, try the Broken Group Islands with their tide pools and moon snails.
Images from the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
