How to hike the Cox Bay Lookout Tofino trail in BC
The Cox Bay trail in Tofino is one of Tofino’s best hiking trails.
From the top of Cox Bay in Tofino, you’ll get some incredible views of the ocean, forest, and beaches that make this place one of the most popular getaways from Vancouver.
One of my favorite things to do when I take a trip to Tofino. It’s honestly one of Tofino’s worst-kept secrets since it’s pretty popular these days, but it’s worth it as the views of Cox Bay Beach are some of the best views in Tofino in my opinion.
Though it’s not as busy as some of the other walks and hikes in Tofino, chances are you’ll see quite a few people on this trail as it’s no longer a hidden gem in Tofino.
Tofino is on the unceded traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples and the traditional keepers of their land.
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Hiking to Cox Bay Tofino
From the beach at Cox Bay, turn left and head towards the southern end of the beach.
You’ll need to walk a few 100 m along the beach which is beautiful whatever time of year you’re visiting.
At the end of the beach, you’re very close to the trailhead for Cox Bay Look out. It can be hard to see it exactly as it’s quite overgrown and not signposted.
There are a couple of routes to access the trail, but one of the easiest is to look for a stream which is visible about 2/3 of the way up from the ocean. The small stream has a trodden-down path next to it. The path isn’t wide, but you’ll be able to see that people have walked that way before.
From here, you can follow the stream to begin your hike to Cox Bay Lookout / Cox Beach lookout.
After a minute of walking alongside the stream, the trail takes you into the forest. This part can feel a bit like bushwacking as the ferns and plants are overgrown but that’s all part of the adventure!
You’ll have some small inclines and descents to deal with and you’ll probably feel like you must be going the wrong way. Double-check your AllTrails map to make sure you’re still on track and continue onwards!
There aren’t any views as you hike through the forest but the view at the end is more than worth it.
Take your time as you navigate up and over (and sometimes under!) fallen trees, roots and mud.
There’s not a huge amount of elevation gain on this hike, but it does take focus not to spend the whole time slipping over.
After around 30 minutes since you left the beach, you’ll begin to reach the top of the tree canopy and get a few sneak peeks of the view that awaits you.
The final climb is steep and there’s a rope to help you pull yourself up on the rockface. You’re almost there, continue to follow the worn-down trail and you’ll arrive at the top.
Arriving at Cox Bay Lookout in Tofino BC
As you reach the top of Cox Bay Lookout you’ll get an incredible view of Cox Bay, the Clayoquot Sound and Chesterman Beach. You can also see Lone Cone, another popular Tofino hike.
From up here it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Vancouver Island and Tofino in particular.
This lookout point is great for watching surfers in the ocean below you as well as the sunset. It’s for that reason you might hear people call this the sunset trail Tofino.
You can also see south towards Ucluelet by following another trail through the trees passed the viewpoint.
It’s not quite as impressive as the view of Cox Bay Beach Tofino, but it’s cool to get another view of this rugged part of the West Coast even so.
Once you’re done enjoying the view, head back down the way you came up and make your way to your car in the Cox Bay Beach parking lot.
Cox Bay Lookout hike Tofino stats
- Distance: 2.6 km
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate (short and not much elevation, but slippery and hard to navigate in places)
- Elevation: 115 m
- Trail map
More things to do in Tofino BC
If you’re staying in Tofino or Ucluelet for a while, there are plenty of other fun things to do nearby. Some of my favorite things to do in Tofino are:
- Visit Tofino Brewing
- Get a taco from the original Tacofino truck
- Take a surf lesson
- Go shopping at the cute boutique stores in Tofino such as Merge.
How to get to Cox Bay Lookout trailhead
Once you’ve travelled to Tofino, you’ll want to head back on the Pacific Rim Highway. The trailhead for
Cox Bay Lookout starts at the southern end of Cox Bay Beach which is about 10 minutes from the center of Tofino.
The parking lot here is small and can be quite easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! If you’re coming from Tofino to Cox Bay, then the Cox Bay parking lot is just as you pass Pacific Sands Beach Resort and Cox Bay Beach Resort.
You can see the parking for Cox Bay Lookout on Google Maps here.
Since Cox Bay is popular with walkers and surfers getting ready to do some Cox Bay surfing. The car park is small, you’ll usually see some cars parked along the side of the road. If there are signs saying do not park here, respect them and come back another time.
You need to pay for parking here so make sure you allow enough time for your hike!
Once you’ve parked up, follow the wooden boardwalk down to the beach.
This is paid parking.
AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.
What to know before hiking to Cox Bay Lookout
- Trail conditions: You can check trail conditions before going on hikes either by asking in Facebook groups, checking recent reviews on AllTrails or, if the hike is within BC Parks, they often have trail conditions posted online.
- Leave no trace: Always remember to leave no trace when you’re
- Be AdventureSmart: trip plan, train, and take the essentials
- Mud: Most of the trails in Tofino are very muddy all year round (you are in a rainforest after all!). Do not wear sneakers/trainers. Make sure you’re wearing proper hiking gear and shoes instead. Don’t try and avoid the mud as you’ll only make the muddy section even wider – embrace it!
- Headlamp: If you’re planning to hike Cox Bay Lookout for sunset, be sure to pack a headlamp to navigate down in the dark. The trail is covered in mud and roots and so you’ll need more than your phone as a flashlight.
- Navigation: Cox Bay lookout can be hard to find and navigate. Make sure you’ve got AllTrails+ and have the offline map downloaded to help you find the trailhead.
- STICK TO THE WORN DOWN TRAIL: Yes, it’s muddy but walking off trial will just damage the vegetation and make more areas muddy. Stick to the trodden-down areas and do not attempt to avoid the mud.
What to pack for Cox Bay Lookout
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
- You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
Where to Stay in Tofino
There are some great places to stay in Tofino and Ucluelet including hotels, Airbnbs and VRBOs and campgrounds with great facilities. Here are some of the top Tofino accommodations.
- Hotel Zed Tofino: Great hotel that’s close to Chesterman Beach with a lounge sauna and great breakfast.
- Tofino Motel Harbourview: Right in the centre of Tofino with harbour views and great facilities.
- The Shoreline Tofino: Stylish pet-friendly cabins in Tofino for a cosy, relaxing stay.
- Long Beach Lodge Resort: Situated on Long Beach with beautiful rooms and ocean views.
- Pacific Sands Beach Resort: Right on the beach with amazing views and stylish beautiful rooms. This is luxurious but so worth it for a special occasion.
- Ocean Village Resort: Super cute cabins right on the beach with a swimming pool and spa.
FAQs about the Cox Bay Lookout trail in Tofino
How do I access Cox Bay Lookout?
You’ll access Cox Bay Lookout from an unmarked trailhead at the southern end of Cox Bay beach in Tofino. Look for a small stream and then follow it into the forest.
How long is the Cox Bay Lookout hike?
The hike is 2.6 km long and takes around an hour. You’ll want to allow some additional time to enjoy the views too.
What is the best lookout in Tofino?
The best lookout in Tofino is Cox Bay Lookout which looks down onto Cox Bay Beach and the surfers in the ocean.
Where to park for Cox Bay Tofino?
Parking for Cox Bay is near Pacific Sands Beach Resort just off the highway. It’s a small parking lot and you need to pay for parking.
Why is Tofino so special?
Tofino is special as it’s one of the best places for surfing and it has long sandy beaches. You’ll find forests, lakes great food and boutique shops. It’s a truly beautiful and special place.
What is the best month to visit Tofino?
I think there’s no bad month to visit Tofino. It depends on what you’re hoping to do there. The surfing in Tofino is best in fall when the waves get bigger and more reliable, however, it’s obviously colder outside of the water so you’ll need a good wetsuit. In the summer Tofino gets the best weather and you can enjoy hiking, and sitting on the beach and more of the shops and restaurants in Tofino are open regularly.
Final thoughts on the Cox Bay Hike Tofino
The Cox Bay Lookout Tofino trail is one of the best things to do around Ucluelet and Tofino. For a relatively short and easy hike on Vancouver Island, this trail has some of the best views you can find.
The Cox Bay trail is one of the best things to do on Tofino, but if you’re staying on the island and looking for other things to do, be sure to check out these easy hikes near Victoria where you can take a walk to amazing views like you’ll find on this Tofino lookout trail.
I’ve also got a guide to what to do in Campbell River (incl. some easy hikes), and these fun things to do in Victoria in winter.
Last Updated on September 20, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
