West Coast Trail

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Park was created the authorities set about restoring and extending the route. Throughout the summer Park Rangers now regularly patrol the 72 km / 45 mi trail, a richly rewarding but extremely arduous hike across challenging terrain. The trail is still only roughly marked out and the very basic campsites along the way have no sanitary facilities. Nor can any supplies be obtained. In the season Indians will ferry hikers across the Nitinat Narrows for a small fee; other rivers have to be waded or crossed by simple bridge or (in some cases) primitive cable-car. Good equipment and waterproof clothing are essential - it can be soaking wet or foggy and cool even in July and August. At Pachena Bay, 5 km / 3 mi south of Bamfield at the northern end of trail, there is an Information Center where maps are available. Most people begin the hike from there.