(Arrival) Arrival in Vancouver, meet guide(s) and other members of the group. We check over all personal equipment to make sure everyone is properly equipped and prepared for the following six day adventure. From Vancouver we drive to horseshoe bay and take the hour and a half ferry crossing to Vancouver Island. From Nanaimo and additional three hours on winding mountain roads brings us to the  magnificent pacific coast at Pachena Bay, the northern end of the West Coast Trail and the start of our 6 day trek. Tonight we camp at Pachena Bay and in the evening enjoy dinner and discuss the detailed tour itinerary and prep for the following 6 days. 

After breakfast we pack up all of our equipment. Parks Canada requires all hikers of the West Coast Trial to take part in a mandatory orientation and safety briefing prior to starting the trek. Our étape today is approximately 14 km. The trail today is relaxed as we ease our way into the trip. The first 14 km are characterized predominately by  thick rain forest, we emerge at Michigan Creek, the first camp of our trip.

The Hike today remains relatively easy and is also quite variable. After breakfast we continue on from Michigan Creek 3-4 km by beach along the beautiful pacific ocean. At the Valencia's Bluffs the trail moves into the forest for two km as hikers are rewarded with elevated views of the ocean and surrounding rainforest. An additional two km along the beach brings us to our camp for the evening at Klanawa River. An optional two km further brings us to the famous Tsusiat Waterfalls, the second camping option for the evening. We set up our tents on the beach and around the campfire take in the magnificent pacific sunset. Todays stage approximately 9 km.

Today is one of the longest hiking days of the West Coast Trail (approximately 17 km). The day begins gently with beach hiking. The morning also brings us to the "Hole in the Wall" an impressive tidal rock formation which can be accessed at low tides. A more strenuous  three km through the rain forest brings us to the Nitinat Narrows, a large tidal channel connecting the Pacific with Nitinat lake 17 km upstream. By motorboat the local indigenous natives ferry hikers over this deep channel. At Nitinat travelers can also rest for lunch and enjoy locally caught crab. After the Narrows it is an easy but still long 9 km to Cribs Creek our goal for the day. After Nitinat Hikers are also rewarded with some of the most beautiful beach stretches along the entire length of the trail.

Optional easy day of hiking. After a late breakfast from Cribs Creek we continue along the Pacific for approximately tow km to the Carmanah lighthouse. A short climb leads to the lighthouse grounds themselves where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views. Visitors here are rewarded with the possibility to see sea lions on Sea Lion Rock or observe bald eagle at the flight. Lunch today is at "Chez Monique’s" a small beach burger shack run by local natives. From "Chez Monique" it is two km further to the Carmanah Creek Campground, or an additional two km to Walbran Creek or 7 km to Cullite Creek. Spectacular beach camping awaits us at any one of these amazing location. Total distance today approximately 6-12 km.

Past Walbran Creek the hiking becomes much more strenuous. From here on the going gets tedious on this challenging yet exciting part of the West Coast Trail. Roots and slippery rocks provide grounds for concentrated and focused hiking. We climb through the narrow and deep fjord gorges on this section of the island by ascending and descending numerous steep wooden ladders. Today we cross the impressive Logan suspension bridge. Overnight at Thrashers Cove. Total distance today approximately 12 km.

 Today is our last day on the West Coast Trail, yet it is also one of the most strenuous. Although our packs may be light our muscles are tired. At the southern most end the trail passes through old growth rainforest with mud, rocks and large roots characterizing this stretch. Our total hiking distance may only comprise approximately 5 km yet many travelers feel this is the hardest sections of the entire trail. In the afternoon we reach Gordon River where a motorboat ferry takes us across to our goal and the southern entry point to the West Coast. A quick shuttle brings us to the small fishing village of Port Renfrew (about 200 inhabitants). In the evening, overnight in a hotel including a well-earned shower. In the evening we celebrate the adventure of the past week with a dinner in a local restaurant.

Today is our last day on the West Coast Trail. From Thrashers Cove it is only 6 km to the end of the Trail but the going remains rough and tough! It is an unforgiving 6 km all the way to the end. At Gordon River a motorboat ferry takes travellers across to the southern entry/exit point to the West Coast. A quick shuttle brings us to the small fishing village of Port Renfrew (about 200 inhabitants). In the evening, overnight in a hotel including a well-earned shower. In the evening we celebrate the adventure of the past week with a dinner in a local restaurant.

From Port Renfrew we take the 8:30 am shuttle bus approximately 250 km back to Pachena Bay. From Pachena Bay it is approximately a 2-3 hour drive back to Nanaimo and a 1.5 hour ferry ride across the Inside Passage bring us back to Vancouver. We arrive back in Vancouver by late evening.