Wild Pacific Trail

Hiking along the Wild Pacific Trail is a wonderful way to explore the beautiful coastal landscape that frames the town of Ucluelet on its western edge. The trail follows the forested edge of the coast and is made up of slightly hilly terrain, which should be easy to navigate for hikers of most skill levels. Along the route, several side trails and shortcuts branch off from the main route near the ocean’s edge. Make sure to bring a trail map to stay on the correct route or simply keep left at every junction (for the first half of the hike) to stay on the trail closest to the water.

This route is the perfect way to spend an evening in Ucluelet, as the countless viewpoints over the ocean offer the ideal platform for watching a gorgeous sunset over the water. The trail sets out near the small and secluded haven of Brown’s Beach before following along the rugged coast to a lookout at Rocky Bluffs. This route is the perfect mix of minimal effort and amazing views, making it ideal for casual and experienced hikers.

Setting out from the parking area, follow the path into the forest, where you will immediately reach a fork in the trail. Taking the optional route to the left will bring you down to the charming and secluded sands of Brown’s Beach. To follow the main trail, take the path to the right as it cuts through the trees and crosses over Odyssey Lane.

Keeping left at every junction, follow the trail as it hugs closely to the rugged shoreline and provides intermittent views across the blue waters of the Pacific. There will be many scenic viewpoints along this route, so take your time and explore as many as you can to get a proper feel and admiration for the natural beauty of this rugged landscape.

Roughly 1.6mi into the hike, the trail veers to the right and moves away from the shoreline, where it meets up with the Ancient Cedars Trail. At this point, hikers can turn back around to complete the return journey back towards Brown’s Beach. Remember to keep right at the junctions for the way back to both to stay on the correct path and take in the picturesque views from the opposite perspective. Once you’ve reached the trailhead, you can either return to your vehicle or head down to Brown’s Beach to enjoy the quiet beach area.