North Coast Trail
Description
- Name North Coast Trail
- Length of trail 46 km, 29 miles
- Length in days 3 days
- Start of trail Nissen Bight
- End of trail Shushartie Bay
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
Nissen Bight - Shushartie Bay, 46 km, 3 days
The North Coast Trail is a wilderness walk along beautiful beaches and through wild forests around the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The total length is only about 46 km, but you will have to walk to the trailheads. This trail links with the Cape Scott Trail.
This part of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, has an abundant wildlife: you might spot deer, elk, black bears, cougars if you're very lucky, wolves, seals, sea lions, grey whales, sea otters, porpoises and lots of sea birds. The mist and rain enhance the solitude of the forest.
Opinions
Rate
9.0 |
1 vote |
No 3. in Canada

- Manon Wouterse June 2012
- Rate 9
- Positive The remote feel the trail gives you. The beautiful pristine but rugged coastline and the wildlife encounters ( bears, wolves, whales, etc.). You can combine this trip with the Cape Scott Trail and I would highly recommend doing so and add some days to just linger about. The trailhead can be reached only by water and the trail ends on a remote parkinglot. Arrange your pick up in advance @Port Hardy
- Negative Not so much dislike, but it is good to realise before you embark on this adventure that the path can get quite muddy (knee deep at places after heavy rain) and sometimes you will feel that there will be no end to that long slug across pebbled beaches....There is no hut or foodsupply possibility: so you will have to bring all food and campinggear.
Map
Links
Facts
- North Coast Trail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Wild Coast Magazine's North Coast Trail pages: North Coast Trail versus West Coast Trail
A good, detailed description of the hike, including a bear.
Reports
- Running the North Coast Trail | Club Fat Ass
David Crerar did it running, but you will find some useful data in his story.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cape Scott & the North Coast
- Trail Hiking Vancouver Island's Wildest Coast Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Cape Scott & the North Coast
- Part trail map, part field guide, part regional history, Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. Each year, thousands of backpackers and nature lovers head to the northern limits of Vancouver Island, bound for the jewel of the region: Cape Scott... Read more

Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Cape Scott & the North Coast
- Part trail map, part field guide, part regional history, Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. Each year, thousands of backpackers and nature lovers head to the northern limits of Vancouver Island, bound for the jewel of the region: Cape Scott... Read more

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island
- An Updated and Comprehensive Trail Guide Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island
- The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island offers some of the most spectacular and storied hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Home to the world-famous West Coast Trail, once a lifeline for marooned sailors and still among the most breath-taking yet demanding hikes on the continent, the islands western shores also feature lesser-known coastal... Read more

Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island
- The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island offers some of the most spectacular and storied hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Home to the world-famous West Coast Trail, once a lifeline for marooned sailors and still among the most breath-taking yet demanding hikes on the continent, the islands western shores also feature lesser-known coastal... Read more