The 20 Best hikes in Vancouver Island, BC

Vancouver Island is a hiker’s paradise, with a diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems to explore.

From breathtaking coastal vistas to lush rainforests and towering mountains, there’s no shortage of stunning hikes in Vancouver Islands to discover.

If you’re looking for the best hikes in Vancouver Island, be sure to check out this list of the 15 best Vancouver Island hikes and get planning your adventures!

Read more: Best hikes in Vancouver

What to pack for hiking on Vancouver Island

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.

If you’re backpacking, check out my backpacking packing list. This includes everything I packed for the Berg Lake Trail, as well as Mt Assiniboine.

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.

Things to know before doing hikes in Vancouver Island

Here are some things to consider before you go hiking in Vancouver Island.

• Know your limits: It’s important to choose a hike that is suitable for your skill level. If you’re a beginner, start with an easy hike and work your way up to more challenging trails.
• Be prepared: Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and a first aid kit with you on your hike. It’s also a good idea to bring a map, compass, or GPS device, in case you get lost. Check out the complete 10 essentials you should take with you on every hike.
• Wear appropriate clothing: Make sure to wear comfortable, breathable clothing and sturdy shoes or boots on your hike. In cooler weather, make sure to bring layers and a rain jacket, as the weather can change quickly on the island.
• Stay on the trail: It’s important to stay on designated trails to protect the natural environment and prevent erosion.
• Leave no trace: Make sure to leave the area as you found it by packing out all of your trash and respecting the natural surroundings.
• Be aware of wildlife: Vancouver Island is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, cougars, and other animals. Make sure to stay alert and follow any posted warnings or guidelines to ensure your safety. Read this post for more information on bear safety while hiking.
• Plan your trip: Vancouver Islan hiking can be difficult and dangerous. Before embarking on a hike, make sure to plan your route and let someone know where you’re going. It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast and be aware of any potential hazards or risks on the trail.

Best easy hikes on Vancouver Island

These easy hikes in Vancouver Island offer a chance to take in the island’s diverse and picturesque scenery without too much effort.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, these easy hikes are a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and experience the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.

Learn more about these beautiful Vancouver Island hiking trails.

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.

1. Elk Falls Suspension Bridge Loop in Elk Falls Provincial Park

Elk Falls Provincial Park is a beautiful and scenic park located on Vancouver Island near Campbell River. There are several easy hikes here and one of the best is the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge Loop.

This hike is a short, 1.5-kilometre loop that takes you across the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge and through the park’s beautiful forests.

The trail is relatively flat and easy to follow, making it a great option for hikers of all skill levels and ages.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Elk Falls themselves, some of the best waterfalls on Vancouver Island, as well as a number of other natural features such as old-growth forests, streams, and wildlife.

Campbell River is also one of the best places for grizzly bear tours on Vancouver Island.

2. Hole in the Wall, Port Alberni

The Hole in the Wall hike is a popular and easy trail located in Port Alberni. The hike is named due to the hole in the rock here that looks like a hole in a wall!

The Hole in the Wall hike is a relatively short and easy trail, with a distance of about 2.5 kilometres round trip. The trail is relatively flat and easy to follow, with well-maintained paths and clear signage.

It’s also a super popular place for swimming on Vancouver Island in the summer, though the water is cold year-round!

3. Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Located in the central region of the island, Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is a great place to go for a peaceful hike through the forest. The park is home to a series of beautiful waterfalls on Vancouver Island, as well as a network of easy trails that are suitable for all skill levels.

One easy hike in Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is the Lower Falls Loop Trail. This short, 1.5-kilometre loop takes you through the park’s beautiful forests and along the Englishman River.

4. The Wild Pacific Trail

This beautiful coastal hike is located in Ucluelet, on the west coast of the island.

It offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and is a great choice for those looking for an easy hike on Vancouver Island. It’s definitely one of the best Ucluelet hikes.

The trail is divided into 3 parts all with similar views of the coast and wild cliffs and forest that characterise the western coast of Vancouver Island.

Hiking here is good all year round. While in summer you’re more likely to enjoy some sunshine and nice weather, hiking here in fall and autumn is also great since the storms can be very impressive to watch!

Plan your hike on the Wild Pacific Trail for March and October to spot whales or seals.

5. Paradise Meadows Loop Trail

The Paradise Meadows is a beautiful sub-alpine meadow at the base of Mt Washington. This is among the best hikes on Vancouver Island.

Paradise Meadows is an easy trail with plenty of wooden boardwalks or flat gravel pathways and takes you up into the beautiful sub-alpine region of Vancouver Island.

Keep your eyes out for elk, deer, butterflies, and black bears!

The whole loop takes around 1 hour.

6. Little Qualicum Falls

There are plenty of pretty waterfalls on Vancouver Island and Little Qualicum Falls is one of the best. You’ll enjoy epic mountain views and a beautiful forest after hiking along a short trail following Little Qualicum River.

7. Cathedral Grove

Cathedral Grove is a popular stop on the way to Tofino and I recommend it in my ‘how to get to Tofino’ post.

Cathedral Grove is home to a series of easy, family-friendly trails that take you through a beautiful old-growth forest which is home to some of Vancouver Island’s oldest trees.

There are Douglas-firs, Western Hemlocks, Bigleaf Maples, Western Red Cedar trees, and many other species of tree.

Make sure you walk all the way to The Big Tree which is almost 80 metres high and 8 m wide! It’s believed this tree is over 800 years old!

The Cathedral Grove Trail is the one of the easiest hikes on Vancouver Island with no elevation and just some flat boardwalks and dirt paths.

8. Goldstream Provincial Park

Located in the Victoria region, Goldstream Provincial Park is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts and home to some of the best hikes in Victoria, BC.

The park is home to a series of easy, family-friendly trails that take you through a beautiful old-growth forest and along the Goldstream River.

The Goldstream Trestle Trail is a flat, easy trail that follows the old railway bed through the park. The trail is about 3.5 km round trip and takes you past the Goldstream Trestle and along the Goldstream River.

This is one of the best trestles in BC!

9. The Sooke Potholes

The Sooke Potholes are one of the most popular swimming spots on Vancouver Island and have some easy hiking trails around them. These trails offer some of the best easy day hikes on Vancouver Island since you can finish off with a swim!

The Sooke Potholes are a series of deep, swirling pools and dramatic waterfalls located in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. The potholes were formed over thousands of years as water eroded the bedrock, creating a series of deep, swirling pools and dramatic waterfalls.

You can follow the trails through the beautiful forest and along the Sooke River then cool off with a dip in the water.

10. The Galloping Goose Trail

This Galloping Goose trail is a multi-use trail near Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Popular with runners, cyclists and hikers, the trail takes you through a variety of landscapes, including forests, meadows, and wetlands. It’s suitable for all skill levels and is a great place for an easy hike on Vancouver Island.

11. Lady Falls Trail

Located in Strathcona Provincial Park, the popular Della Falls trail takes you to Lady Falls waterfall.

This is one of the best waterfalls on Vancouver Island and one of the easiest to get to too.

You can hike to the main viewing platform for Lady Falls in about 15 minutes and get a fantastic view. of the falls.

There are also some side trails so you can enjoy different views of the falls and the canyon they sit in.

12. Cox Bay Lookout Trail, Tofino

The Cox Bay Lookout Trail is a short, easy hike located in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino.

It’s one of the most popular and best hikes in Tofino thanks to the incredible views of Cox Bay, the forests and the ocean. It’s especially beautiful at sunset!

The trail begins at the Cox Bay Beach parking lot and takes you through the forest to a lookout point with panoramic views of Cox Bay and the surrounding coast. The trail is about a 1 km round trip and is suitable for hikers of all fitness levels.

13. Kinsol Trestle Trail

The Kinsol Trestle hike takes you along a wooden railway trestle located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

It was built in 1920 and was used as part of the Canadian National Railway until 1979. The trestle is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail and is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and tourists.

The Kinsol Trestle Trail is 6.5 kilometres long and is relatively easy, with a moderate incline as you approach the trestle.

The Kinsol Trestle itself is an impressive structure, standing 44 meters (144 feet) tall and 187 meters (614 feet) long. It is considered one of the highest and longest wooden trestles in the world and offers stunning views of the Cowichan Valley and the surrounding mountains.

Intermediate to hard hikes and backpacking on Vancouver Island

These hikes on Vancouver Island are more challenging and include backpacking trips on Vancouver Island too.

14. Mt Finlayson

Mount Finlayson in Goldstream Provincial Park sits just over 400 m high and offers great views of Victoria.

The first half of the trail is a fairly moderate climb through a forest of fir trees but it gets harder and steeper once you climb out of the treeline with some moderate scrambling needed to reach the peak.

Mt Finlayson gets busy during weekends so try hiking it mid-week or earlier in the day.

15. Myra Falls

Myra Falls Trail is one of the popular hikes in Vancouver Island within Strathcona Provincial Park. I

The trail is a steady climb for most of the way, passing through an impressive forest, alongside a creek, around the switchbacks and over some large boulders.

After 3.5 km you’ll reach the wooden platform with a view of Upper Myra Falls. You can also stop off at Lower Myra Falls before or after reaching this platform which some say is even prettier!

16. Backpacking the West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail is an iconic trail known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain.

The trail takes you through old-growth forests, along the coast, and over a series of suspension bridges, and ladders and is a great choice for experienced hikers looking for true backcountry camping on Vancouver Island.

Read more: What to pack for the West Coast Trail.

The West Coast Trail is 75 kilometres long and takes most hikers around a week to complete.

You need to reserve your campsites in advance on BC Parks and reservations for the entire hiking season get booked up very quickly.

17. Della Falls

Della Falls is the 2nd tallest waterfall on Vancouver Island at a height of 440 m! Situated in Strathcona Provincial Park, the hike to get to Della Falls is long and challenging.

You’ll pass through dense, coastal rainforest on this 24 km round trip, crossing creeks and hiking past many smaller waterfalls. For some of the creek crossings, you’ll need to use cable cars to get across!

To start the hike to Della Falls, you’ll also need to take a water taxi, or paddle across, Grand Central Lake.

Though it is possible to hike Della Falls in a day, this hike is best done as an overnight trip to fully enjoy the experience.

18. Juan de Fuca Trail

Another classic Vancouver Island trail is the Juan de Fuca Trail is a 47-kilometre trail that follows the rugged coastline of the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

The trail takes you through a mix of rainforest, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean along the way.

The trail typically takes 3-5 days to complete, depending on your pace and the number of stops you make along the way.

The trail is well-marked and relatively easy to follow, but it can be challenging in some places due to the rugged terrain and the possibility of adverse weather conditions. Hikers can choose to tackle the entire trail in one go or break it up into smaller sections.

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is best for more experienced backcountry hikers and you need to reserve your campsites in advance on BC Parks.

19. Cape Scott Trail

The Cape Scott Trail is located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. It’s a challenging trail of 50 km and takes most hikers about 5-7 days to complete.

The trail can be rough and muddy at times, and hikers will need to be well-prepared and have a good fitness level. This shouldn’t be your first backpacking trip in BC.

20. Mount Arrowsmith

Mount Arrowsmith is a popular hike on Vancouver Island. It’s the highest peak on the eastern side of the island, with an elevation of 1,819 meters. When it comes to hiking Vancouver Island, this is one of the more challenging options.

The hike to the summit of Mount Arrowsmith is challenging and is recommended for experienced hikers only.

The 14 km trail to the summit of Mount Arrowsmith begins at the Mount Arrowsmith trailhead, located off Parkinson Road. The trail is well-marked but can be steep and rocky in some places.

Last Updated on June 28, 2023 by Hannah