Road Trip South Pacific Rim – Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew, WCT

Lake Cowichan Port Renfrew
75
km
1h30
drive
Summer
season

The Itinerary

The southern axis of Vancouver Island between Lake Cowichan and Port Renfrew (Pacheedaht territory) is the direct access to the north section of the West Coast Trail — one of Canada's most demanding and famous multi-day hikes (75 km, 6-8 days, Parks Canada). But it's also a picturesque road trip for old-growth forest and wild-beach lovers.

Lake Cowichan on the eponymous lake is known for Cowichan River tubing and microbreweries. Pacific Marine Road (Highway 14 alternative) heads to Port Renfrew passing Avatar Grove — an old-growth forest famous for its gnarled big trees, including "Canada's Gnarliest Tree." Big Lonely Doug, Canada's second-largest Douglas fir (66 m tall, 4 m diameter), is nearby.

Port Renfrew, a Pacheedaht village at the WCT's south end (Gordon River trailhead), offers Botanical Beach with spectacular tide pools, China Beach, and access to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail (47 km, easier alternative to the WCT). Scenic Route 14 continues to Victoria via Sooke.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Avatar Grove
    Old-growth forest, "Canada's Gnarliest Tree," easy trail.
  • ✦
    Big Lonely Doug
    Canada's 2nd-largest Douglas fir, 66 m tall, 4 m diameter.
  • ✦
    West Coast Trail (WCT)
    75 km, 6-8 days, Parks Canada, Gordon River trailhead.
  • ✦
    Botanical Beach
    Tide pools at low tide, unique biodiversity.

Fishing Spots Along the Route

🎣
150 Yard Creek
Stream
🎣
Adrenaline Creek
Stream
🎣
Allan Creek
Stream
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Alligator Creek
Stream
🎣
Ashburnham Creek
Stream
🎣
August Creek
Stream
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Axe Creek
Stream
🎣
Baird Creek
Stream

Protected areas along the route

🌿
SAN JUAN RIVER ESTUARY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
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🌿
Spring Beach
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Fairy Lake
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Avatar Grove Hiking Trails
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Big Lonely Doug Viewing Platform
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🌿
Bald Mountain
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🌿
Harris Creek Spruce
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Lizard Lake
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GORDON BAY PARK
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Tent Cabin
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HONEYMOON BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
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🌿
COWICHAN VALLEY DEMONSTRATION FOREST
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Take this route offline

Cell coverage thins out fast once you leave Lake Cowichan. Export the map as a geo-referenced PDF before you go and open it in BorealMaps — your GPS position shows on the map with no signal at all.

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Practical info
  • Departure Lake Cowichan
  • Destination Port Renfrew
  • Distance 75 km
  • Duration 1h30
  • Category Short (< 100 km)
  • Best season Summer
Themes
Hiking wct old-growth beach Indigenous parks-canada wilderness photo

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