The Wild Pacific Trail travels along the rugged coastline and through the magnificent rainforest of Ucluelet, BC on Vancouver Island.
The trail may be hiked in three sections, the Lighthouse Loop, Big Beach Section, and Browns Beach to Rocky Bluffs including Ancient Cedars Loop. Each section has a parking area and is extremely well marked.
Table of Contents
Lighthouse Loop
The first section I hiked while visiting Vancouver Island for a week was the Lighthouse Loop. I was able to walk to the trail via the beach from my VRBO, but most people will want to park at the Whale Lot or Lighthouse Lot off Coast Guard Road. The parking lots may be easily found with the AllTrails app.
The 2.6 km loop travels through gentle terrain over a well-maintained, packed gravel trail. This extremely family-friendly hike, suitable for all ages, features outstanding coastal views, magnificent rainforest, as well as the historic Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, and Visitor Center.
There are several lookouts with benches (almost too many) for anyone who needs a rest or wants to sit and watch for a whale. As you walk, you’ll hear a noise that almost sounds like a whale call underwater, but it is the red whistle buoy that has guided mariners into Ucluelet Harbor since 1905.
The sound is activated by the waves and is louder during rough seas. With tides changing up to 13 feet four times a day, the buoy helps orient sailors dealing with the ever-changing coastline.
Amphitrite Point LIghthouse
The Amphitrite Point Lighthouse was first constructed in 1906 after the tragic shipwreck of the Pass of Melfort in 1905. The wooden structure was named after the HMS Amphitrite whose Captain, George Richards, surveyed much of Vancouver Island’s coastline in 1859.
The original lighthouse was destroyed by a 1914 storm and replaced with the current, squat bunker lighthouse the following year. It was built to withstand brutal forces of the sea.
Next to the lighthouse is a visitor center which provides more history and many programs. I was on the trail by 7am and the center doesn’t open until 9am, so I didn’t get to go inside, but some visitors may want to participate in guided walks.
Attached to the Lighthouse loop is a very short interpretive trail that circles a bog featuring bonsai trees, carnivorous plants, and more. There are also two other interpretive trails (Terrace Beach and Spring Cove) that can be reached from the Otter Parking Lot.
On the Lighthouse Loop section of the Wild Pacific Trail, I particularly liked the twisted trunks and branches of the trees. I can only imagine what forces of nature causes them to grow in such crazy ways!
Big Beach Section of the Wild Pacific Trail
The Big Beach Section of the Wild Pacific Trail is simply a beach walk around a picnic area. I didn’t hike this section, but at the advice of a blog, I went to the beach to take in the sunset. I found the advice poor as the sun set behind a building! But at least you could see half the sunset.
I believe the sunset would be better watched at the lighthouse, though you could be watching it with many others as the trail can be quite popular at such time.
Brown’s Beach to Rocky Bluffs including Ancient Cedars Loop
Finally, Brown’s Beach to Rocky Bluffs is 7.4 km and adding on Ancient Cedars Loop extends the hike 0.9 km. The Ancient Cedars Loop includes many interpretive signs and a few big trees surrounded by salmon berry and salal bushes. If you are short on time, it is skippable unless you love giant cedars!
I preferred the coastal hike from Brown’s Beach to Rocky Bluffs. At times, this trek provides two options. A slightly inland path or the Artist Loops path which features countless coastal viewpoints. It is similar to the lighthouse loop in that it highlights coastal views of the rocky bluffs.
The gravel packed path undulates a bit more than the lighthouse loop, thus the limited 318 ft of elevation gain is more noticeable. I hiked all of the Artist Loops one direction and tried out a segment of the inland trail but found myself drawn back to the Artist Loops.
Some of the most beautiful views of Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline were on this section of the Wild Pacific Trail. As with the Lighthouse Loop, there are almost too many overlooks, so be sure to allow some extra time to see them all.
A few narrow, steep paths descend to the rocks and beach for those that want to have a look in the tide pools. As a friendly reminder, the tides change dramatically, so be careful of the waves.
Overall, the Wild Pacific Trail is easy enough to complete all three sections in one day or to enjoy a section one day at a time. Regardless, you will truly enjoy the views and might even spot a whale! ETB
Other Hiking Trails Near Tofino on Vancouver Island
It’s a beautiful coast, I’d be drawn to the Artist Loop too.
Yes, very pretty