7 Best Tofino Hikes: Long & Short

Tofino is one of British Columbia’s top tourist destinations if not one of Canada’s most sought-after places on the West Coast. You may have heard of Tofino and how beautiful the coastline is, the chill vibes of the environment, and, of course, one of the top surfing locations in Canada.

While surfing isn’t the only thing to do in Tofino, there are some beautiful hikes that you can do that will take you through dense rainforests and unique ecosystems.

Having been to Tofino before, I’ll walk you through the most popular and best Tofino hikes that you can explore while visiting this beautiful coastal town.

Best Tofino Hikes

As a heads up, the Schooner Cove Trail is closed indefinitely. Other blog posts sometimes mention that you can hike it, but it’s closed.

You’ll also have to pay for parking or a tour fee at most of these locations.

1. Rainforest Trail

A popular hike among the locals in Tofino, the Rainforest Trail will take you through a dense rainforest with massive cedar trees while walking on elevated boardwalks and a mix of staircases.

The trail is split into two different routes. Route A is located north of the highway, and Route B is south of the highway. You can start on either trail, as they’re both loop-type trails and will eventually return to the highway. Be careful when crossing the highway!

Trail Information:

Length: ~2 kilometres (~1 kilometre each)
Duration: 37 minutes
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Dogs: On leash
Hours: Open year-round

An elevated boardwalk with a railing on the left in the forest surrounded by lush green trees and plants along the floor.

2. Shorepine Bog

Shorepine Bog is an easy boardwalk trail that is family-friendly and stroller-friendly. While there are no dramatic views of the ocean or a dense forest, the ecosystem at Shorepine Bog is unique. It’s also wheelchair accessible.

Sphagnum moss and many wildflowers and plants grow along the grounds of this bog. Because the delicate ecosystem of this bog doesn’t have any posts driven into the ground, the boardwalk sits on top of the moss.

Trail Information:

Length: 800m
Duration: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Dogs: On leash
Hours: Open year-round

The shurbbery of the Shorepine Bog in Tofino. The unique ecosystem is delicate and has sphagnum moss and flowers covering the bog's floor.

3. Nuu-chah-nulth

Nuu-chah-nulth means “all along the mountains and sea.”

One of the more extensive hikes in Tofino is the Nuu-chah-nulth hiking trail, also known as the Wickaninnish Trail. This beautiful hike connects Florencia Bay to the Kwisitis Visitor Centre at the end of Wickaninnish Beach.

It also connects Lismer Beach and South Beach so if you’re looking for a detour the smaller beaches are worth checking out.

The trail goes through a dense forest and has some coastline viewpoints. It also provides insight into and information on the Nuu-chah-nulth culture and history. Interpretive signage and totem poles are also along the trail.

There is a mix of boardwalks and staircases, so watch your step when it’s raining or watch out for wet patches.

Trail Information:

Length: 2.5 kilometres 
Duration: ~40 minutes
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Dogs: On leash
Hours: Open year-round

4. Tonquin Trail

The Tonquin Trail is within the town of Tofino. It’s easy to access, as the trail starts at the end of Arnet Road near Tofino’s Community Hall. There’s a parking lot on Google Maps where it says parking for the beach; it’s also an alternative access point.

The gravel trail leads you through Tonquin Beach, many beautiful ocean viewpoints, and to Third Beach. The trail is also popular for families, finding rock pools, and watching the sunset. 

There are some steep points and staircases along the way.

Trail Information:

Length: 3 kilometres*
Duration: ~ 1 hour and 5 minutes
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Dogs: On leash
Hours: N/A (I’m pretty sure it’s open year-round unless it states otherwise)

5. Big Tree Trail

One of the best hiking spots in Tofino, the Big Tree Trail, is only accessible by a 10-minute water taxi ride to Meares Island. The hiking trail takes you through a beautiful old-growth forest while you walk on top of a hew boardwalk.

Most people turn around once they reach the Hanging Garden Tree, as this is the maintained part of the hike. You can continue from this part of the hike, but it will be muddy, and the path is all-natural, so make sure to wear the proper hiking boots.

Trail Information:

Length: 1.2 kilometres to Hanging Garden Tree (4 kilometres entire trail)
Duration: 1.5-3 hours
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderately challenging 
Dogs: No
Hours: 6:00 AM-9:00 PM (hours may differ)

Hew: “To cut a large piece out of rock, stone, or another hard material in a rough way.”

A massive cedar tree stump along the Big Tree Trail hiking route. To the left of the stump you can see the hew boardwalk, a mix of different size and lengths wooden boards that don't look finished.

6. Hot Springs Cove

If you’re looking for a stunning hiking experience outside of Tofino, tours to Hot Springs Cove are a must. I highly recommend adding them to your itinerary if you stay in Tofino for three days or longer.

The tour is 6 hours long. It includes a 1.5-hour boat ride to the location. Then, you’ll hike through the beautiful Maquinna Marine Provincial Park for 2 kilometres to the geothermal hot springs. Once you reach the hot springs, you’ll have 2 hours to spend.

Trail information:

Length: 2 kilometres
Duration: 6 hour tour day (~50 minutes to hike)
Trail Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Dogs: No
Hours: Year-round (tour times may vary)

7. Cox Bay Lookout

While the Cox Bay Lookout isn’t an official trail, you can hike it at your own risk. It’s a popular spot where you can view Cox Bay Beach, one of the best beaches in Tofino. It’s not a marked or maintained trail, so parts will be slippery and rough to climb.

Despite that, it’s not an official trail; it’s one of the best viewpoints in Tofino. It’s tricky to navigate, so it’s possible to get lost, so be prepared for anything. The entrance of the lookout spot is at the end of Cox Bay Beach, where you can find what looks like a hole in the forest.

Trail Information:

Length: N/A
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Trail Type: Out & Back (not an official trail)
Difficulty: Difficult
Dogs: No
Hours: N/A

An aerial view of part Cox Bay Beach. The sun is setting and the waves are rollinginto the beaches below.

How To Get To Tofino From Vancouver

Getting to Tofino is relatively easy, and there are a few ways to get there, but your best bet is by car.

Car

The first step is to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver. By car, you can travel on BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.

While you can travel from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to Victoria at Swartz Bay, it will be a much longer car ride and will be more of a Vancouver Island road trip at that point.

Since the easiest route is from Nanaimo, you’ll have to drive around 2 hours and 51 minutes to Tofino. There are a handful of stops along the way. Once you leave the city of Port Alberni, it’s also a beautiful ride.

Shuttle Bus

Taking a shuttle bus will be much longer, but it’s better if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for getting to Tofino. However, the bus schedule leaves and arrives in Tofino on certain days, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Vancouver Island Connector shuttle schedule here. ๐Ÿ‘ˆ

Flying

Yes! You can fly into Tofino by seaplane or a chartered flight. While there aren’t many options for chartered flights, there are options for seaplane flights from Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver to Tofino’s town. However, flights only start in spring and don’t usually run during the winter.

What To Pack โ€” 10 Essentials

It’s important to bring the 10 essentials when hiking and prepare for anything. Here’s a reminder of what to bring to keep you and the environment around you safe.

  • Light
  • Signalling Device
  • Fire Starter
  • Warm Clothes
  • Pocket Knife
  • Shelter
  • Water & Food
  • First-aid Kit
  • Navigation
  • Communication (cellphone or GPS tracker)

Also, please remember to leave no trace behind when hiking and take back everything you bring.

Conclusion

These were the best and most popular hikes to do in Tofino. I hope you enjoy these hikes through the beautiful forest and the stunning coast and take in the beauty of what Tofino has to offer.

Have a good day ๐Ÿ™‚