Welcome to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail - a
47 kilometer hiking trail stretching along the western shoreline of southern
Vancouver Island, Canada, from China Beach, just west of the community of Jordan
River and extending to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew.
Introduction to the Trail
The trail offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking,
wildlife viewing, and roaring surf in its course along the Pacific coastline of
the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Most of the trail is designed for strenuous day or
multi-day hiking in this rugged and isolated area. Some easy to moderate day
hiking opportunities to the beach or along the trail are available stating from
the trail heads at China Beach, Sombrio
Beach, Parkinson Creek, and Botanical
Beach.
This
unique trail was created through the Commonwealth Nature Legacy as an enduring
reminder of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Preservation of a living
legacy of unprecedented natural beauty, accessible to all, was considered a
fitting tribute to the spirit of the Games.
Construction and preservation of this trail has been made
possible by the efforts of government, local industries, and citizens. Land
exchanges and gifts of land have come from Western Forest Products and Timber
West. The trail is being upgraded with funding from Forest Renewal BC and the
Environment Youth Team ( E-Team).
The Juan de Fuca marine Trail does not connect to the West
Coast Trail, part of the Pacific Tim National park Reserve. Private bus service
to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail may be available. Contact BC Parks for
information.
The
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed as a wilderness hiking trail. Hiking
conditions are always changing and hikers should obtain up to date information
before proceeding on a hike by checking the trail head information shelters.
There will be ongoing construction and upgrading on the trail for a number of
years.
Hikers are advised to leave a plan of their trip,
including which trail they are hiking. And arrival and departure times with a
friend or relative.
Trail Heads
There
are four trail heads to the Marine Trail at Botanical
Beach, Parkinson Creek, Sombrio Beach, and China Beach. Day and multi-day
hiking trips can begin at any of these trail heads which also offer many day use
opportunities.
Day Use opportunities
Botanical Beach
affords visitors access to uniquely rich tide pools and shoreline trails with
fantastic geological features. It is a good idea to check local
tide tables to
maximize opportunities for wildlife and tide pool viewing. A low tide of 1.2 m (
4 feet ) or less is best for viewing. The area offers parking, toilets,
information, and picnic areas. A number of trails: Mill Bay ( some steep
sections), Botany Bay, botanical Loop ( connects Botany and Botanical Beach) and
botanical Beach are suitable hiking for most young children and the elderly ( 20
minutes one way on each trail). No camping or fires allowed.
Parkinson Creek
trail head provides access to begin or end a day long (10 km ) hike to Botanical
Beach or a 9 km hike to Sombrio. This is a moderate section of the trail through
beautiful mature forest. Watch for the marine mammals that frequent this area.
Sombrio Beach
is a large cobble beach and an easy 10 minute (one way) walk along the trail
from the parking lot. Explore the beach, camp, surf, or hike eastward along the
beach ( 30 minutes one way) .
China Beach the
find sand beach is ideal for picnicking, sand building, wading, and relaxing. A
wide, gravel trail ( some steep sections) suitable for most young children and
the elderly ( 20 minutes one way ) takes you from the parking lot through mature
forest to the beach. Take a short walk to the western end of the beach to the
waterfall or wander at length to the east.
Camping
Detailed maps of campsites are installed on the trail at
each designated camping location.
Fees: The camping fee is $6.00/night per
family or party of 4 persons. Fees are subject to change without notice. Self
registration envelopes and safes are located at each trail head for depositing
your camping fee. Cash only ( bring exact change).
Trail heads over night camping in your
vehicle is allowed at China Beach, Sombrio, and Parkinson Creek. The camping fee
applies for overnight camping in the parking lots. No overnight camping is
allowed at Botanical Beach. Private facilities re available in nearby Port
Renfrew.
Camping along the Juan de Fuca Marine
Trail is available in both beach and forest sites:
Beach sites: camping at Mystic Beach,
Bear Beach, Chin Beach, and Sombrio Beach (east) is available on the beach.
There is no designated sited. Remember to camp on the beach to prevent
degradation of the forest vegetation.
Forest sites: camping at Little Kuiche
Creek and Payzant Creek is in the forest and away from the beach. There is
limited or no shoreline access. Fires are not permitted at these sites. A
portable camp stove will be required for cooking. Camp only on the designated
tent pads.
Limited Group size: group size should be
limited to a maximum of 10 people. The trail standards and park facilities such
as campsites are not designed to accommodate larger groups.
Beach cut offs
Watch
for orange balls as you hike, they mark an exit from the beach to the trail.
With high tides and during storms, beaches may be cut off from the trail. See
campground maps on trail for exact location. Use Canadian Tide Tables "Tofino"
section. Remember to add one hour to the listed tidal times during May - October
as Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
What You Should Know
Before You Go
Purchase
a color contour map of the trail, or see more photos
For more detailed information about
the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail contact:
BC Parks
South Vancouver Island District
2930 Trans Canada Hwy
Victoria, B.C. V9B 5T9
Phone: (250) 391-2300
|