Schooner Cove Trail

Hiking along the Schooner Cove Trail is a magical experience in the Tofino area that will allow you to experience the natural beauty of the coastal rainforest landscape; however, there are several things to keep in mind when you decide to head out on this trail. The route follows along a wooden boardwalk through the rainforest and has several steps built-in so that hikers can descend the terrain and access the beach. Due to the number of steps, hikers with limited mobility and families with strollers will not be able to use the trail safely. Additionally, the area around the beach is at the mercy of the tide, and hikers looking to explore the area should practice caution around the water’s edge.

This hike is a great way to get out and explore the varied landscapes that make the Tofino area so beautiful and unique. Along the trail, you will be able to explore the almost magical atmosphere within the dense stretch of old-growth Pacific Temperate Rainforest before emerging on the white sandy beaches of Schooner Cove. Depending on the tide, you will be able to walk the length of the beach and explore the rocky terrain around the point while gazing out at the mesmerizing waters of the Pacific Ocean. This short trail is a must-do if you are in the Tofino area.

Setting out from the parking area, enter into the forest and follow the trail as it makes its way across Nuu Piit Taah Chilth Road and re-enters the dense tree cover. Following the boardwalk, you will very quickly come to a stream crossing. Make your way over the stream and continue on the wooden path through the mystical atmosphere of the rainforest. Along this stretch of the trail, you will be surrounded by massive old-growth cedar and hemlock trees that are covered in thick moss and seem to be almost dripping from the high levels of moisture in the air.

After working your way down the boardwalk and countless steps, you will eventually exit the wooded confines of the forest and onto the white sandy expanse of Schooner Beach. From here, you will be able to explore the coastal landscape and, depending on the tide, work your way around the rocky point to Schooner Cove. When you’ve had your fill of the scenic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, enter the rainforest for your return journey along the wooden boardwalk to the parking area.