North Coast Trail

Park: Cape Scott Provincial Park

58.0 km point to point.

Terrain: Very rough
Elevations (in meters)
Start: 0End: 
Minimum: 0Maximum: 
Net Gain: Cumulative Gain: 
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Trailheads

Transportation is required at both ends.

Shushartie Bay Trailhead:

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Cape Scott Trailhead: (567 km from Saanich Hall, 67 km on logging roads, 4wd recommended). Drive north from Victoria to Port Hardy (500 km) on highways #1 & BC#19. Just before arriving at Port Hardy take a logging road to your left and drive 67 km to the parking lot.

Note: It is 63 km on ACTIVE logging roads to the trailhead. Extreme caution should be exercised on these roads at all times.

Uses

BackpackStrenuous.5 days pt 2 pt. 

Description

This trail runs along the northern coast of Vancouver Island and links up with the Cape Scott trail.

In addition to the BC Parks backcountry permits factor in the cost of the water taxi from Port Hardy to Shushartie Bay ($90/person in 2009) and the possible shuttle bus from the Cape Scott trailhead back to Port Hardy ($70/person in 2009). To avoid extra costs on the shuttle a single person could be designated to go pick up the car (this would leave the others out for 2-3 hours).

Due to the lack of water at Shushartie Bay the recommended route for this trail east to west (I.e., Shushartie Bay to Nissen Bight). The exit route is via the Cape Scott trail adding another 17km to the hike (this figure is included in the overall stats for the trail).

Features

This trail features animals (Black bear, Cougar, Deer, Elk, Sea otter, Wolf), beaches, forests, lakes, marine mammals (Sea lion, Seal, Whale), meadows and views.

Hazards

Campsites along the trail

Shushartie Bay0.0 km 
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
There is no water available at this campsite.
Skinner Creek9.1 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
Water is available.
Nahwitti River12.0 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
Water is available.
Cape Sutil17.7 km 
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
Water is available.
Irony Creek24.3 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
  • Tent pads
Water is available.
 It is possible to camp at some of the pocket beaches between Irony Creek and Laura Creek.
Laura Creek36.0 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
  • Tent pads
Water is available.
Nissen Bight41.3 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Outhouse
Water is available.

For additional information see:

Service-providers

Trailhead Transportation
Cape Scott Water Taxi(250) 949-6541(800) 246-0093
Catala Charters(250) 902-1031(800) 515-5511

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.