This weekly series aims to inspire you to go out there and experience amazing backpacking locations in person. Simply looking at them on your phone or monitor is not enough. Feel the wind, breathe the air and bask in the sun.
Our hike this week is the popular and gorgeous Juan de Fuca Trail on Canada’s Vancouver Island.
Why This Hike?
This multi-day hike takes us along the beaches and lush rainforests of the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. If you're an avid backpacker, you may have noticed there are quite a few major trails here. Its coastlines and forests are absolutely breathtaking. The Juan de Fuca Trail is the little sister to the highly popular West Coast Trail.
- Length: 42 km
- Type: Point-to-point
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Best time to visit: April-October
- 4 days are recommended to complete this hike.
- This trail is popular. Make sure to start your day early so that you get a spot at the campgrounds.
- You can extend your trip by continuing on the West Coast Trail.
- Expect beaches, grottos, tide pools, and temperate rainforests.
- You may have the chance to see bald eagles, herons, sea lions, and other uncommon wildlife.
Take note of these factors before starting your adventure:
- The trail is rugged and uneven which at times could make hiking very challenging.
- Parts of the trail may be steep and you will need to cross creeks.
- Weather conditions could cause damage to the trails, making navigation more difficult.
- Expect sudden rains with cold weather.
- Campfires are not allowed.
- Bears inhabit the area so be careful.
How Do I Get There?
We recommending starting the hike at China Beach Campground. The area is accessed via a bus service from Victoria, B.C. or private car. If you want to travel by bus, you’ll need to book it through West Coast Trail Express. They have an option of booking the return fare as well and they will store your excess luggage until you are done with your hike. If driving to the trail, it is accessible via Highway 14. There are several trailheads along the hike which gives you the option of hiking the trail in segments rather than the entire trail (or bailing early due to bad weather or injury). All trailheads have parking areas. Just make sure not to leave any valuables in your vehicles.
If you have the luxury of multiple cars, we suggest heading first to Botanical Beach. Leave one vehicle there and then head off to China Beach. This way you could use the car from Botanical beach to go back to China Beach.
Map
The following map outlines our recommended route. Click the "Load Interactive Map" button to load the correct map. Once loaded, you can navigate along the route and view recommended campsites.
For even more detailed mapping, including being able to print a copy for yourself, click the "Open in CalTopo" button at the top of the map once it's loaded into view.
- Day 1 - China Beach to Bear Beach (9 km)
- Day 2 - Bear Beach to Sombrio Beach (16 km)
- Day 3 - Sombrio Beach to Payzant Creek (10 km)
- Day 4 - Payzant Creek to Botanical Beach (7 km)
The beach campsites are found at Sombrio Beach East, Chin Beach, Bear Beach, Mystic Beach, and Sombrio Beach.
Trail Description
Day 1 - China Beach to Bear Beach
We start off our hike from the China Beach trailhead. You will find some necessary amenities here like drinking water so make sure to fill up your containers for the hike. Pit toilets are also available at this site so make the most of it. The trail is open all year and there are no fees for day hikes so expect that there will be a lot of people here.
From China Beach, we head off to Mystic Beach which is 2 kilometers down the trail. This is still part of the day hike trail so expect more people here. It is a relatively easy hike to the beach which is best done during low tide.
Next, we hike on to Bear Beach at the 9 kilometer mark of the trail. This part of the trail can be a bit muddy with some ups and downs. From here you will be heading for Chin Beach (21 km). This section is the most difficult part of the hike with lots of elevation change. Bear Beach will also serve as our campsite for the first day.
Day 2 - Bear Beach to Sombrio Beach
It is best to start your day off early for this next leg of the trail. An hour into the hike we will reach Loss Creek Bridge. Take your time and enjoy the view because from the bridge we will head to East Sombrio Beach. This part will be muddy and will have many elevation changes.
Now we head off to Sombrio which is one of the 4 trailheads on the trail and is the campsite for our second night. As one of the trailheads accessible from Highway 14, this campground is also available for day hikes and is usually crowded.
Day 3 - Sombrio Beach to Payzant Creek
We then head to Little Kuitshe Creek (33 km). Take note of the high tide beach cutoff to safely get to this campground. This part of the trail is moderate to difficult and is usually muddy. From here we go to Parkinson Creek trailhead. The trail gets even muddier at this point so make sure to tread carefully and wear waterproof hiking boots.
We end the 3rd day at Payzant Creek / Campsite on the 40 km trail mark. Along the way, you will pass by a river and waterfall so take your time and enjoy the hike.
Day 4 - Payzant Creek to Botanical Beach
The final leg of the trail takes us to Botanical Beach, the last trailhead which is also a pickup point for the bus shuttle that services the area. You have the option of doing the trail in reverse and start it from here and end it on China Beach.
What Will I Need?
Cold water taps are available at the China Beach campgrounds, so it’s a great place to load up on water before starting the trail. There are streams along the trail. But, you will need to filter and boil the water for safety. As a result, bring plenty of water containers, a filter, and filtration tablets.
Since campfires are not allowed on the trail or in campgrounds, it's best to bring ready-to-eat food or a portable stove. It is also advisable to hang your food at night to keep wildlife from getting to it. Some campgrounds provide bear-proof containers.
You'll especially want lightweight gear on this hike. Take a backpacking tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad that will save on pack weight, but still protect you from the elements.
The Thermodown 15 Sleeping Bag is rated for 15 degrees, which will keep you plenty warm on the Juan de Fuca Trail.
Depending on when you plan to make the hike, waterproof equipment is highly advised, such as stuff sacks. Because of unexpected rains, you will need to navigate through creeks and beaches. A good pair of waterproof hiking boots would do you well as you trek through soil, water, and mud. Bring an extra pair of footwear just in case. You will also need to study a tide chart so that you can plan your hike safely. Trekking poles can make the water crossings easier. A lightweight tarp could be a life-saver.
If there's anything else you need to complete your pack, visit our full line of high-quality, affordable backpacking gear.
Shop Backpacking Tents
Shop Ultralight Tarps
Shop Backpacking Quilts
Shop Down Sleeping Bags
Shop Insulated Sleeping Pads
Shop Backpacking Pillow
Shop Folding Trekking Poles
Shop Titanium Cookware
Shop Tent and Tarp Accessories
Finally, to make sure you don't forget something at home, use our Ultimate Backpacker's Packing List. It even includes a convenient printable checklist!
Do I Need a Permit?
You will not need permits but there is a $10 overnight fee per person, above 16 years old; and $5 for those 16 years old and younger. You will need to self-register at the trailheads and leave your envelopes in the registration boxes provided.
Make sure to check the Tide chart for updates because some parts of the trail will not be passable during high tide.
Resources
Juan de Fuca Wiki Page
BC Parks Page
Trail Guide From Hike Bike Travel
Conclusion
Have you explored Juan de Fuca? Do you have other outstanding hikes that you'd like us to write about? Please share your feedback in the comments.
Read Next
If you're looking for more hike ideas, read our “Best Backpacking Trips on the West Coast” round-up post. Also, the following Hike of the Week articles cover other great trails in the region.
Hike of the Week: West Coast Trail
Hike of the Week: Olympic Coast Trail
Hike of the Week: Hoh River to Sol Duc
For even more amazing backpacking trips, visit The Trailhead, our interactive hike map. It contains a curated list of dozens of hikes, each with a detailed write-up like this one.
Finally, check out our comprehensive list of backpacking articles that cover just about everything there is to know about backpacking. If you're just starting out, our Backpacking 101 section covers all the basics. If you already have a few trips under your belt, you can find more advanced topics covered in our Expert Articles.
Hey, I am a local and have hiked this trail many times. Unless their is a fire ban in place, fires are permitted as long as they are below the high tide mark. You are supposed to use beach wood only. Rangers will enforce fire bans. Poles are very handy here although most hikers do not use them. If it has rained steadily for a few days, I recommed wearing gaiters for the mud. if there is no rain, no gaiters are necessary. Trail runners work fine for footwear and waterproof shoes are not necessary. There is no need to hang your food. All the campsites have bear-proof bins and you must use them – hanging is not recommended. Pets may not be allowed on the trail but this is not enforced and many groups bring their dogs along for the entirety of the hike. You can also register ahead of time online and have your permit on your phone or else print it off. This saves you carrying excess money. Bears are common, wait them out or cautiously go around them. Also, hitchhiking to and from the trail is common in the summer but still doable in the off seasons. Sombrio is a surfer’s beach so expect people other than hikers/ campers. It is also a popular party spot so it can get a little rowdy some nights. Some consider this hike more difficult than its longer counterpart to the north, the WCT. Be prepared for a lot of up and down and some possibly very muddy terrain. There is also no service out there unless you are on an American phone plan so plan accordingly.
Leave a comment