Helliwell Park Loop

4.0 km loop.

Elevations (in meters)
Minimum:	0	Maximum:
Net Gain:		Cumulative Gain:	0

Helliwell Provincial Park Trailhead: On the eastern shore of Hornby Island. From the ferry teminal drive to the village, turn left and head down St John"s Point road to the park.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Toilets and/or outhouses

Uses

Dayhike

1 boot (easy).

90 minutes for the loop.

Suitable all year.

Description

This is one of the most spectacular trails in the Gulf Islands.

This trail forms a loop. It starts in the forest and soon comes to a junction. You can go in either direction at this point, these directions assume you continue on the right hand fork. A short distance brings you to the cliffs above the shoreline. Continue down to the shoreline. The "High Salal" adjunct trail leads off to your right, this trail will add an additional 4-5 km to the route but is well worth doing if time permits.

Turning left at the junction with the High Salal adjunct takes you along the cliffs to where the trail drops down to the ocean. At low tide it is possible to explore the tide pools along this section. In the spring you can hear (and with binoculars see) the sea lions across the channel. The trail then climbs back up to the land above the water and continues along, eventually heading back through the forest to the first junction.

The "High Salal" adjunct is well worth adding to the hike but little additional value is found by starting at Tribune Bay, instead hike the adjunct as an out-and-back from the main trail.

Features

This trail features beaches, birds (Bald Eagle), flowers, forests (Arbutus, Douglas-fir, Garry oak and Western red cedar), marine mammals (California sea lion), meadows and views.

Hazards

Steep cliffs along the western shoreline of the park, especially along the "High Salal" adjunct.

Last hiked:May 20, 2006

Other trails on Hornby Island

Ford Cove to Hornby Ferry Terminal
St. John Point

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.