Vancouver Island BC Hiking
Juan de Fuca Trail
5-day Base Camp Hiking Tour
*$1780 + 3% booking fee + 5% Goods & Services Tax
The Juan de Fuca Trail was completed in 1996 as an extension of the West Coast Trail experience in commemoration of the 1994 Commonwealth Games. 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. We have been guiding the Juan de Fuca Trail since 1998. The Juan de Fuca Trail is accessible by highway along its route via access trails. The 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 strenuous, but not the most difficut. The stenuousness of the eastern end is rewarded with some really incredible beaches and coastal views. This base camp tour is designed to minimize the strenuousness so you can enjoy the scenery with less effort.
- HIKING DAYS: 4.5
- TRAVEL DAYS: 0.5
- RATING: Moderate to Strenuous
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Dates And
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Itinerary
Itinerary
This hike may be hiked in either direction. The guide will determine each day's itinerary in consultation with you and the other participants on the tour. Because we are travelling in wilderness, itineraries can change. There are many factors that can affect how a tour actually runs. We confirm pickup times by phone, email or SMS at least 12 hours before.
This trip begins in Nanaimo, where we will arrange your pickup to drive to the location where we begin the activity.
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Day One
1/4 Travel Day: Participants meet guides at a Nanaimo Ferry Terminal, or another pre-arranged location in downtown Nanaimo (point of origin). Following introductions and equipment checks the group are transported to the trail and we hike down to our camp for the night. We usually go through safety and equipment as we have lunch. The rest of the afternoon is an exploration hike from our base camp. After dinner, we will discuss options for the next days and arrange our itinerary based on the group, the conditions and the goals we agree upon.
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Days Two through Five
On these days, we will either hike from our base camp or drive to another area for a day hike, or move camp to another base and do day hikes from there. Our discussions will guide us.
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Day Five
After our activity for the morning, we pack up and the group will be transported back to Nanaimo.
- Note: The distances can be very misleading and seem short in comparison to distances often travelled in a day on other hikes you may have done. Several factors need to be taken into consideration. Firstly these trails can be extremely muddy and slippery, and involve uneven surfaces over and round trees. This is especially the case after rain. Some parts of the trail require a low tide to pass, meaning a group may need to wait for the tide to drop. Between camp areas there are several areas that merit exploring, rather than simply blowing by them in an attempt to complete the trail in the shortest time possible. Lastly when guiding a group of hikers with different levels of ability and experience we like to allow ourselves some latitude, so that the needs of each hiker can be met.
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What's Included
Included Not Included Transportation from and to the departure location (pick up and drop off) Your transportation to the departure location (from your home) All park fees and camping fees National Park entry fees (may change as Parks alters their policies) Professional guides Hiking Boots (should be less than 5 years old) All meals (except on travel days) Some food (on travel days and special options) Tent (shared)* *A single tent may be substituted for a supplemental charge. Single travellers that cannot be placed in a shared tent will be charged the single supplement charge. Hiking Boots (should be less than 5 years old) A substantial preparation guide Backpack (available for rent) Gear rental options Sleeping bags or mats (available for rent) Gratuities are not included. Recognizing your guide for their hard work and care is always appreciated; $10-20/day per guide is recommended. -
Getting There And
Where To StayGetting There
If you are travelling into the Vancouver, Victoria, or Nanaimo area from afar, you should arrive at the departure location for your trip the day/evening prior to the trip start date and plan to leave the day following trip return. Try the following Canadian online travel booker: flightnetwork.com.
You can fly to Vancouver (airport code YVR) or Seattle (airport code SEA) then connect to Vancouver Island using ferry, bus, or air, or arrange flights directly to Vancouver Island.
Flying to Victoria (Airport code YYJ)
Flying to Nanaimo (Airport code YCD)
Nanaimo Airporter shuttle service.
Servicing all of Vancouver Island from airports to ferrys to cruise ship terminals. Tel: 1 250 758-2133BC Ferries 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
We will let you know the ferry to take for travelling to Vancouver Island, but if you want to check out times, you can go the the BC Ferries website at:
www.bcferries.com/schedules/Where to Stay
Victoria Pick up & Airport Hotels
Pick up: Schwartz Bay Ferry Terminal, or the following Accommodations near the ferry or airport:Travelodge Sydney Airport Hotel
Travelodge may offer Coastal Bliss Guests a lower rate per night (ask us for the discount code before you book) and is an easy place for us to pick you up/drop you off before and after your tour with us.
2280 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC, CA, V8L 1X1
Phone:1 250 656 1176
Fax: 1-250-656-7344
Reservation: 1-866-656-1176
info@airporttravelodge.com
https://www.airporttravelodge.com/Hotel Zed
Hotel Zed is near downtown Victoria, but not right downtown. It has built up a very good reputation and has reasonable rates. Ask for Coastal Bliss Adventures Special Room Rate when making your reservation.
3110 Douglas Ave. Victoria, BC, CA, V8Z 3K4
Phone:1 250 388 4345 Or 1 800 997 6797
victoria@hotelzed.com
https://www.hotelzed.comVancouver Hotels
If you are arriving in Vancouver and staying there before getting to a pick up location on Vancouver Island, the Accent Inn is close to the aiport.
Accent Inn, Vancouver Airport
10551 St. Edwards Dr. (off Hwy #99)
Richmond B.C. V6X 3L8
Ph: 604-273-3311 Fx: 604-273-9522
email: accent@accentinns.com(Our guests may be able to receive a discount at Accent Inn, contact us for details.)
If you are staying in Victoria after the tour, consider these near downtown Victoria accommodations:
The Strathcona Hotel
Address: 919 Douglas Street, Victoria B.C.
Phone: 250.383.7137
Website: #
Ocean Island Inn
Address: 791 Pandora Ave. Victoria BC, Canada
Phone: Toll Free 1.888.888.4180
Website: https://oceanisland.comTravelodge Victoria
229 Gorge Road East
Victoria, BC V9A 1L1
(250) 388-6611
Toll-Free Reservations: 1-800-565-3777
travelodge.com -
Preparing
Preparing For Your Trip
How you prepare for your adventure is important. Being well prepared will enhance the quality of your experience. Because we are travelling in wilderness, it is very important for you and for the rest of your adventure group that you are fit enough to handle the level of difficulty and demand with no problems. Our guides know how to minimize the impact of these demands as much as possible, but they cannot remove them. The depth of your experience can only increase if you have made sure that you have prepared well.
Your preparation will be different for different activities. Preparing for a kayak trip is different from preparing for a hiking trip. We have provided some basic information that can be downloaded through the following links to pdf documents.
Use the links below to download some of the preparation files for this hiking or kayaking tour. When you book your tour, we will send you a complete preparation packet to help you get ready.Please take this seriously. Most people are unaware of the demands of a coastal environment, particularly with keeping dry and warm. Your preparation will really help make your coastal hiking or kayaking tour a great experience. -
Gear Rental
Need Gear?
We have gear available to rent if you don't want to buy a particular piece of equipment, or need to travel without it.
Look over the following list to help you decide whether you want to rent. If you decide to rent gear, you can tell us on the phone or book it online with your tour.
Item Price (per day) Backpack Rental $6.50 Sleeping Bag Rental $6.50 Thermarest Rental $2.25 Gaiter Rental $1.67 Hiking Pole Rental (one) $0.90