West Coast to the Pacific Rim National Park Attractions

Clayoquot Sound, which with its deep fiords and countless little islands opens out north-west of Tofino, is one of the last surviving areas of temperate rain forest. A decision by the provincial government to allow clearance of half the remaining 3500 sq. km (1350 sq. mi.) of virgin wilderness has met with increasingly fierce opposition.

The area has been the site of major protests to save the trees.

Just 20 km (12 mi.) west of Parksville Little Qualicum Falls is one of Vancouver Island's loveliest Provincial Parks, a forested upland area with numerous little ravines and waterfalls and glorious sparkling blue-green pools irresistibly inviting for a swim.

Around Tofino there are magnificent beaches of fine sand, Long Beach included, where in summer it is possible to bathe.

Long Beach is the most popular beach and attracts the most visitors. The Long Beach unit encompasses 13,715-hectares and includes coves, bays, and offshore islets.

In the MacMillan Provincial Park some 15 km (9 mi.) further on, a stand of towering Douglas firs known as "Cathedral Grove" (which somehow managed to escape a forest fire about 300 years ago) includes several specimens between 600 and 800 years old. A forest walk winds through the grove past trees up to 75 m (245 ft) tall with trunks as much as an impressive 3 m (10 ft) across. Beyond the Park the road continues westwards across the Beaufort Range, where Mount Arrowsmith (1806 m (5930 ft)) is a popular ski area.