Packing for a multiday hike, such as the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, can be tricky. Knowing what to pack, how much to pack, and what to leave behind can be tricky for all multi-day backpacking hikes but it’s especially true when it comes to your West Coast Trail packing list.
That’s because the WCT is known for being muddy, challenging, and featuring lots of ladders; meaning you’ll have to be able to easily bear the weight of your backpack when climbing. The lighter your pack, the more enjoyable your hike will be.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
First, congratulations on securing permits for the West Coast Trail! You’re in for a treat and are about to enjoy some of the most stunning coastal views, waterfalls, and old-growth forests — oh, and plenty of mud!
To help you make the most of your adventure, I’ve put together a complete packing list for the West Coast Trail, covering everything from clothing and footwear to camping gear and food. I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about packing for the West Coast Trail.
This packing list will help you keep the weight of your pack under control while ensuring that you have all the essentials for a safe and comfortable hike.
If you’re wondering what to pack for the West Coast Trail, I’ll detail what you should pack and what you shouldn’t pack for the West Coast Trail.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a first-time hiker, our West Coast Trail packing list will help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
So, get ready to take some notes, pack your bags, and embark on an unforgettable journey. Our West Coast Trail BC packing list will give you the confidence to explore one of the most beautiful hikes in Canada, with everything you need for a safe and comfortable journey.
Packing for another multi-day backpacking trip? Take a look at this backpacking packing list.
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.
Table of Contents
About Hiking the West Coast Trail
The West Coast Trail (WCT) is a 75km backpacking trail within the Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
For many, it’s considered a hike of a lifetime in part due to the scenery, the varied beach terrain and camping options, and the fact that it’s a challenge!
Over the course of the 75km backpacking route, you’ll climb more than 70 West Coast Trail ladders with your pack on, navigate cable cars and bridges, and wade through deep mud and across hip-deep, chilly streams.
Add to that the chance of rain and wind and it’s easy to see the challenge presented by the West Coast Trail.
The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island is open from May 1st to September 30th each year. Reservations for the West Coast Trail are essential and can be hard to get. Most people will take between 4 and 7 days to complete the whole trail.
West Coast Trail reservations can be made here.
There are two points of entry for the West Coast Trail. If you start from the south you’ll go from Jordon River, and if you start in the North you’ll start from Pachena Bay.
There is almost no cell phone service along the trail, and evacuations in the event of injury are by boat or helicopter.
You’ll need all your food and water purification tablets for the duration of your hike and need to be aware of tide times as parts of the trail are inaccessible at high tide.
That means preparedness for this hike is essential – especially when it comes to packing!
How to Pack for the West Coast Trail
Packing for multi-day packing trips can always be a bit tricky, here are some top tips for packing for the West Coast Trail which has its own set of challenges.
How Heavy Should Your Bag be for the West Coast Trail?
Given the particularities of the West Coast Trail (ladders, length, beach trails, mud), it can be hard to pack for and there’s a strong likelihood you’ll start by overpacking.
The key with this trail is not to overpack since you’re not only going to have to hike with that for a week or so but climb ladders with your pack too!
In general, Parks Canada recommends that you pack and weigh 25-30% of your body weight. If it’s more than this they say you should reassess as packs that are too heavy can really ruin your experience and cause injuries!
Before beginning your hike, you need to go through orientation from Parks Canada rangers. There are scales at the Pachena Bay ranger station, at the Crab Shack at Nitinaht Narrows and on Butch’s Dock at Jordon River.
So, if your pack is still too heavy you can have a last-minute repack but it’s easier if you’ve sorted that out beforehand.
How to Reduce Pack Weight on the West Coat Trail
Here are some great tips for reducing your west coast trail pack weight:
- Go lightweight for your big items: sleeping bag, tent, backpack, and sleeping pad. Lightweight can be expensive but they’re usually good quality and worth it in the long run!
- Don’t bring too many clothes on the West Coast Trail. You won’t need clean clothes every day.
- Save weight on food: Pack dehydrated meals over bags of heavier food items
- Reconsider taking camp chairs and heavy cameras. Phone cameras are great these days and are likely good enough to get the photos you want!
- Share gear with your group such as a tarp, first aid kit or water filter.
What not to pack for the West Coast Trail
- Drones: They aren’t allowed in any national park unless you have a special use permit.
- Axe: Campfires are allowed, but axes are against the rules. In any case, you should be able to find lots of small driftwood to make a fire. Remember to follow Leave No Trace best practices and make a small fire.
- Your dog: Dogs are not permitted on the West Coast Trail.
West Coast Trail Packing Essentials
These are the West Coast Trail essentials that you’ll need to make sure you have on you, or between your group.
Of course, the first essential is making sure you’ve got your camping reservations for your West Coast Trail campsites.
You can get your West Coast Trail booking online here.
Your West Coast Trail Permit
When you check in at the ranger station you’ll be given a small paper permit. It’s a good idea to pack a ziplock bag to keep it in since it’s not waterproof. You’ll have to show this when you take the Jordon River and Nitinaht Narrows ferries so make sure you don’t lose or damage them.
National Parks Pass
You need a National Park Pass to hike the West Coast Trail since you’re hiking in a Canadian National Park. If you have an annual pass (great idea if you’re planning to visit a few national parks, buy online here), you can use that. But if you don’t you can buy them at check-in or just get them online in advance.
Again, these aren’t waterproof so keep them with your trail permit.
Tide Table
You need to pack a tide table since several parts of the trail are inaccessible at high tide.
Though park rangers will stick a tide table with your West Coast Trail Map it’s pretty basic and just has daily highs and lows. It’s not adjusted for clock changes under daylight savings and therefore it’s just way easier to take your own separate tide table.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada produce a tide table that’s adjusted for daylight savings time and has hourly predicted tide height for every hour of the day. No more guessing!
You’re looking for the Tofino tide table as this is recommended for the West Coast Trail.
And, you’ve guessed it, add it to the ziplock bag!
West Coast Trail Map
At orientation, you’ll be given a waterproof version of the West Coast Trail map to add to your West Coast trail packing list.
This is the item you’ll probably use the most to see how far it is between campsites and plan your hiking route.
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.
Watch or Cell Phone (& chargers)
Together with the tide table, you’ll need a watch or phone so you can tell the time!
If you use a Garmin/Apple watch, remember to also pack your charging cable and a battery pack so you can recharge it. The same goes for your phone, especially if you’re planning on using it as your camera.
GPS (optional)
I like to record my hikes through my Garmin Instinct watch and you can also do this through hiking apps on your phone. However, this is optional!
Tent and Sleeping Gear
Tent & optional additional tent pegs
It rains a lot on the West Coast Trail and so making sure you have a properly waterproof and lightweight, compact tent is a must. No one wants to wake up to find they’re sleeping in a puddle of water!
MSR 3-season tents are always a good option. We use our MSR Elixir for everything. We got it second-hand on eBay and respray it with waterproofing spray every now and again – it’s served us well!
Given that most of the camping on the Westcoast Trail is on the sand, your standard tent pegs might not work so well. While your tent is unlikely to move if you put rocks around the pegs and keep your gear inside the tent, sand/snow stakes are a good option just to make sure.
Sleeping bag and stuff/Compression sack
Given the weight recommendations for the West Coast Trail, you’ll want to pack a lightweight and easily compressible sleeping bag.
Something that is rated to as low as 0°C should be warm enough but if you have something that sleeps cooler you can take that, it just might take up more space in your backpack.
Whichever bag you go for, be sure to get a compression sack to help squash it down and take up less space in your backpack. I picked mine up from MEC (The Canadian REI), something like this will do the trick.
Tarp and Cord (Optional)
If you’re hiking in a group of 4+ taking a tarp among you is a great idea! This way you won’t be confined to your separate tents if it rains.
Taking a tarp means you can rig yourself a little shelter for cooking and hanging out and if it’s super sunny it acts as shade!
You can get good tarps from most stores including Home Depot and Garden Stores.
West Coast Trail Backpacks and Bags
Backpack
What size backpack for the West Coast Trail? Your best bet will be something between 60 and 75L which is pretty big.
You should test your backpack out in the store beforehand (use weights to see what it feels like when packed) to make sure it’s comfortable.
I use a Vango backpacking pack for multi-day hikes and sometimes my boyfriend’s Osprey backpack.
Dry Bags & Stuff Sacks
To keep things dry on the trail, it’s best to buy several dry bags or stuff sacks of varying sizes.
Not only does this help compress your clothes or sleeping bag, but it makes organizing your backpack easier and keeps things dry! There’s nothing worse than getting into some damp clothing or a sleeping bag!
These dry bag stuff sacks are pretty good and not too expensive.
Rain Protection
Some backpacks come with a rain cover but not all of them. If yours doesn’t make sure you get one that’ll fit your bag – opt for one a little bit bigger so it’ll fit a full bag.
They usually come with a drawstring so you can tighten it around your bag too.
Another good tip is to get a big trash compactor bag and put it inside your backpack. This acts as an extra layer of rain protection and it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry!
Or, you can use multiple dry bags to keep your stuff dry inside your backpack. These are more expensive but they’re a good way of keeping your stuff organised too.
What to wear on the West Coast Trail
Rain jacket (ideally Gore-tex) & rain pants
You should take a rain jacket on every hike you do, especially for the West Coast Trail.
Some key things to look for are that it’s Gore-tex and has zippers by your pits to allow for breathability and cool you down while staying dry. My Arc’teryx jacket was pricey but worth it!
When I was a dog walker I used waterproof pants a lot! You’ll want them a bit bigger and baggier than your usual pants since they go over your hiking pants/leggings/shorts. I use these ones, but any should help keep you drier.
If you want to go all out, you could get a pair of waterproof socks too!
Insulated Jacket & additional warm layer
The mornings and evenings may be quite cold and so you’ll want a puffy jacket to go under your rain jacket. I use a Patagonia puffy and combine it with my Patagonia Synchilla fleece.
You may only need the puffy if the temps don’t look like they’re going too low but make sure you have at least one option!
Hiking pants or leggings or shorts (2 pairs)
Wear what you’d usually wear when hiking as that’s what you’re used to and are most comfortable in. However, I wouldn’t recommend brand-new, expensive leggings since they might tear or get caught on branches/ladders etc.
If that’s leggings, I have a whole post on the best hiking leggings.
Shorts are a good idea if you’re hiking in July or August as temperatures are typically a bit warmer.
I have a pair of Fjallraven pants and typically take those and some leggings, like the Patagonia leggings, or a pair of bike shorts, or my Patagonia baggies.
Tops
For hiking, I’ll take a quick-drying t-shirt, and a long-sleeve one both for sun and mosquito protection and to keep warm if the mornings/evenings are cold. If you like tanks, pack a tank top too.
Read more: What to wear hiking in hot weather
Again, these are usually tops I’ll run and workout in normally and are typically from Old Navy.
Something to sleep in
I’ll typically pack a long sleeve t-shirt, a bralette, and some leggings to wear when at camp and to sleep in. Or some thermals like the Kari Traa thermal top and thermal bottoms.
My leggings are a mix of Old Navy and Lululemon.
Underwear & Sports Bras
Some people will say you don’t need to bring fresh underwear every day. Personally, it’s one of the luxuries that I’ll take when backpacking. They don’t take up much room or weight, so why not!
Plus, they can double up as bikini bottoms if you fancy a dip in the ocean!
Any underwear will do, I’m a recent convert to Lululemon’s active underwear.
I’ll typically take 1-2 sports bras and wear the same ones I’d use for running: this one. For sleeping, or chilling out at camp, I’ll wear an Organic Basics bralette.
Hat (warm & cool)
Pack a beanie and a trucker cap/baseball cap, or just the cap if your insulated jacket has a good hood for chilly evenings!
If you’re someone who burns easily, or the forecast is looking particularly sunny during your trip on the West Coast trail, you might want to take a wide-brimmed sunhat.
Gloves
I get cold hands easily so will usually pack a pair of gloves when doing multi-day hikes. These ‘waterproof enough’ gloves from MEC are a new favourite, but any gloves will do!
Some West Coast Trail hikers recommend garden gloves for the ladders and cable cars to keep them protected from cuts/blisters.
Sunglasses
Make sure you’re prepared for sunshine by packing sunglasses. I love Goodr sunglasses since they don’t slip, are cheap, and are polarized too!
Footwear for the West Coast Trail
Hiking Boots
Hiking shoes probably won’t cut it on the West Coast Trail since it’s muddy and wet. Make sure you take boots to keep your feet drier and give you some more stabilization.
With boots, you should make sure you’ve had a chance to wear them in to minimize getting blisters. Go to a store and try various pairs on to see which fits your feet best then get out and break them in!
I wear Keen Pyrenees boots which I love. They are comfortable, keep me dry and I like the way they look too. But make sure you get ones that work for you!
Lots of my friends like Danner hiking boots too.
Camp or water shoes (optional)
I like to take some lightweight shoes for walking around camp to air my feet out, or for any river crossing on trail.
I have a pair of Tevas which are great for around camp and any river or stream crossings.
Socks
Buy some good hiking socks such as Stance or just own brand ones from outdoor stores and pack 4 pairs for the week.
You can keep one pair as night socks and air out those you’ve hiked in at the end of the day to help keep them fresh.
Gaiters (Optional)
Gaiters can help keep mud, sand, and water out of your boots which can avoid blisters over the course of your hike.
I don’t own gaiters but you might find you prefer using them and if you get them for the West Coast Trail, you’re sure to find a use for them on other hikes around BC, especially on winter hikes near Vancouver.
Toiletries
For toiletries, you want to be as minimal as you can while still staying fresh and clean. It can be a hard task but after many trips and living in a van for 5 months, I’ve picked up some great tips along the way.
I keep all of these in a silicone bag so that they’re not picking up dirt from my backpack or getting lost amongst everything else.
- Toothbrush & toothpaste: Take a mini toothpaste and a standard toothbrush
- Deodorant: I usually decant some of this deodorant into a small pot
- Baby Wipes: Pack a small pack of baby wipes (unscented) and give yourself a baby wipe shower to freshen up!
- Cotton pads & micellar water: This is what I use as a makeup remover and I just put some micellar water in a small container and pack some cotton pads so. can give my face a good clean
- Sun cream & lip balm: I love Sun Bum for both body suncream and lip SPF
- Bug Spray: If you’re a mosquito magnet you’ll want some bug spray. This is a good item to share among your group
- Hair ties: Always good to have a spare. I typically don’t brush my hair much so can go without a brush if I have hair ties
- Toilet paper: Share between 2 and keep in a silicone bag to keep it dry
- Kula cloth: great replacement for toilet paper for number 1s!
- Hand sanitiser: Just a little bottle
- Menstrual supplies: if needed (I use a Diva Cup)
- Glasses/Contacts: if needed
- A rubbish bag: to collect all your rubbish during your hike
First Aid and Safety
First Aid Kit
You should always pack a small first aid kit when you go hiking (day hike or backpacking!) as it’s one of the hiking 10 essentials. Include some band-aids, bandages, blister packs, gauze, medical tape, and antiseptic cream. Adding some painkillers or Immodium is a good idea too.
I use 2-person Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kits and add a couple of extra supplies to them such as blister packs.
You should also make a small gear repair kit with some duct tape or tenacious tape and a needle and thread in case repairs are needed.
Bear Spray
There are bears on the West Coast Trail so you must carry bear spray and make noise when hiking. In Canada, you have to buy bear spray in person and this can be bought at pretty much every outdoor store.
Take a look at this bear safety post for more information on hiking in bear country.
Headlamp
Headlamps are another of the 10 essentials for hiking and a safety item, as well as just good to have when it’s dark in your, tend. I use a BioLite headlamp which I really like.
It’s rechargeable, but it’s a good idea to pack a non-rechargeable one with some extra batteries in case the first runs out. For this, I like the Black Diamond Spot headlamps.
Garmin inReach
Cell signal is either spotty or non-existent on the West Coast Trial and so adding a device like a Garmin inReach is a great addition to your WCT packing list.
With this, you’ll be able to make contact with emergency services, or your friends and family waiting for you at home, should you be injured or delayed.
At least one person in your group should have this.
Multi-tool
Carrying a knife or multi-tool with you on the West Coast Trail is a good idea.
They have so many uses and come in handy for gear repair, food preparation, and first aid.
Cooking Gear
Stove, fuel, and lighter & cooking pots
Fires are allowed on the West Coast Trail (when you’re on a beach and there’s no fire ban!), but it’s easier to take a stove with you to cok on.
A lightweight stove like this or a Jetboil will get your meals ready quickly which is perfect when you’re hungry after hiking all day!
Don’t forget to take an ignitor if needed (storm proof matches are a good idea in case the ignitor breaks). And camping gas, of course.
If you’re using a Jetboil then you won’t need a cooking pot since it’s built into the whole thing. With the lightweight stove linked above you’ll need some camping posts so that you can boil water and cook your food.
Bowl & mug
I use a collapsable bowl similar to this and this a mug/cup. They fold down so they don’t take up much space and are big enough for breakfast and dinner.
Spoon, fork and knife
If I’m taking a lot of dehydrated meals I love my extra long spoon that can reach right down to the bottom of packs of dehydrated meals without getting the food all over my hand.
Alternatively, you might want to pack a small, lightweight cutlery set like this one.
We also pack this knife to chop up any salami or cheese we’ve packed to eat during our backpacking trip.
Washing up
Pack a small thing of biodegradable soap and a cloth to wash up with.
Never put your dirty water into streams, put it into the ocean.
Food to pack for the West Coast Trail
Water bladder and/or water bottles
I typically pack a 2L hydration pack and a 1L Nalgene bottle.
There’s one stretch between kilometres 30-40 where there’s no water so you may appreciate being able to carry more than 2L, especially if it’s hot!
Water treatment
You’ll have to treat all the water you drink on the West Coast Trail. Streams look clean and they may not make you sick, but it’s not worth the risk!
I use a Sawyer squeeze to treat my water. You just fill up the bag and squeeze it through into your Nalgene or water bladder.
You may also want to take some water purification tablets.
What food to pack for the West Coast Trail
Hiking is hungry work! You’ll want food that is high in calories but still lightweight!
Below is what I’ll typically pack for backpacking food on a multi-day trip. I’d rather have more than run out!
Breakfasts:
- 2 sachets instant porridge (mix with water)
- Dried Fruit & nuts
- Instant coffee
Lunches:
- Wraps
- Hummus (dehydrated or the mini pots)
- Babybel cheese
- Salami (we buy one big salami and cut it up for lunches during the day
Dinners:
- 1 dehydrated meal per day. My favourite brand is Backpacker’s Pantry (the pad thai is so good!)
I’ve just been given a dehydrater from my friends which I’m very excited to test out for the upcoming season since dehydrated meals are expensive!
Snacks
- Protein bars (1/day)
- Trail mix (with some added chocolate chips or M&Ms!)
- “Tiger” tea iykyk
- Dried mango
- Chocolate
You’ll want to store all your food in a bag and then use a bear hang or a food locker to keep it safe from mice and bears. I just use a dry bag like this and pack a trash bag to keep all the trash in too!
Optional Extra West Coast Gear
Quick-dry towel and swimsuit
If you like to swim in the ocean (or think you’ll want to) pack a swimsuit and a small microfibre towel as they dry quickly.
Camp games
You’ll have a few hours each night in camp when you’ll need to entertain yourself. Consider bringing a book or some headphones to listen to music or podcasts.
I always travel with my Amazon Kindle eReader so I have hundreds of books to choose from.
We also bring a pack of cards for games after dinner.
Camera
If you’re really into photography then pack your main camera – just be aware of the weight it’ll add! You can also use a GoPro or, of course, your phone!
Battery pack & charging cables
As mentioned above, packing a battery pack is a good idea if you’re using a watch like a Garmin or Apple that needs charging and if you’re planning to use your phone for photos. I use one like this.
Final thoughts on this West Coast trail gear list
The West Coast Trail is a hike of a lifetime, offering breathtaking scenery, challenging terrain, and plenty of adventure. To ensure that you’re fully prepared for your journey, This West Coast trail checklist includes everything you need to pack for your hike on the trail.
Though this is mostly a West Coast Trail packing list females will find most useful, it’s also a great list to get you started if you’re looking for a men’s west coast packing list.
Remember to take only what you need, leave no trace, and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.
FAQs on the West Coast Trail pack list
How long is the West Coast trail?
The west coast trail length is 75 km or 47 miles.
How many ladders on the west coast trail?
There are about 70 ladders, 130 bridges and four cable cars on the West Coast Trail.
What size backpack for the west coast trail?
Anything between 50l – 75l should work well, provided it’s not too heavy for you.
How long does it take to hike the west coast trail?
Most people take 6-8 days to hike the entirety of the west coast trail. However, you can hike sections of it over a weekend if you wish.
How much should a pack weigh for West Coast Trail?
Typically, Parks Canada advises that backpackers should carry a load equivalent to 15-20% of their body weight, which translates to a pack weighing around 25-40 pounds. It’s quite easy to unintentionally exceed this so you’ll need to pack carefully.
What is the best month to hike the West Coast Trail?
July and August are the best months for hiking the trail due to better weather conditions.
Last Updated on June 2, 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.
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