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Hiking Trails
Blinkhorn Trail Canyon View Trail Crest Mountain Trail Forbidden Plateau Mount H'Kusam
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Vancouver Island is considered by some to have the best hiking trails in the world. The trails run through
varied and beautiful areas, with sandy beaches, first growth rainforest, mountain caves, waterfalls and rugged mountains hikes. The trails can range from easy one hour walks to week long, hard, wet and wild journeys.
British Columbia's toughest and most beautiful trail is the West Coast Trail, situated in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of the island. Considered by some to be the toughest trail in North America, the trail traverses 75 km of wind worn and storm tossed coastal areas, giant cedars, huge hemlock and unending spruce forests, cliffs, beaches, sandstone ledges and suspension bridges spanning rivers and streams. This is Vancouver Island wilderness, wild and wet even in the summer. Hikers who temp this trail must be fit and well equipped for the backcountry.Then there is the 47km Juan de Fuca Marine Trail in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park boasts scenery similar to the
West Coast Trail, but with vehicle accessible points at several points along the trail, making it a favorite for beginners and day hikers.
Then there is Strathcona Park with trails that can take into some incredibly beautiful back country with awesome mountain vistas, trails like the Forbidden Plateau trails, or the Flower Ridge Trail with its display of flowers in the spring. You can hike into Della Falls, the highest falls in Canada, or run across Buttle lake and hike up to Marble Meadows and be blown away by the expanse of these meadows and maybe see a Marmot.
There are many other mountain trails on the Island and some very historical trails like the Woss grease trail, First peoples used this trail to take grease for trade to the west coast areas. This trail runs from Woss to Tahsis, it is hundreds of years old if not older.
So put on your boots, grab your pack and camera and head out into the back country to see what the Island has to offer.
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