Avatar Grove Nature Trail

While the Avatar Grove Nature Trail is fairly accessible, the road into the trailhead can be a bit rough at certain times of the year. Make sure that your vehicle is able to handle rugged terrain and bumpy roads in order to reach the trailhead. Additionally, the trail itself can often be in rough shape during the spring and fall when the likelihood of precipitation is higher. To combat the mud along the trail, make sure to wear proper hiking shoes or waterproof footwear to stay safe and comfortable along the hike.

This hiking route is the perfect way to explore the breathtaking West Coast temperate rainforest environment that can be found throughout Vancouver Island. In addition to the huge cedar trees, douglas firs, and plentiful plant life that can be found along this route, hikers will also have the chance to visit Canada’s Gnarliest Tree, a massive cedar with a 10ft diameter bulge in the centre of its trunk. With such amazing sights and easy to navigate trails, this is the perfect spot to bring the family for a fun day of exploring the rainforest.

Setting out from the parking area at the side of the road, head to the southeast to complete the loop portion of the trail first and pass through the beautiful Avatar Grove. On this half of the trail, you will hike along rooty-dirt covered paths and sections of boardwalk for 110m before heading right around the trail loop. Here, you will be able to take in the lush, green landscape of the rainforest that is characterized by small ferns and large, knotty cedar trees. After making your way around the 1247ft loop, head back down the main trail to cross over the road and complete the out-and-back portion of the hike.

After re-entering into the dense cover of the rainforest, you will once again traverse a series of wooden boardwalks and climb slightly uphill to arrive at a creek crossing in 656ft. Make your way across the water and relax along the serene forest path, as you hike the final 80m to the giant, knotty cedar known as Canada’s gnarliest tree. After visiting the ancient tree and snapping a few photos of the breathtaking forest landscape, head back along the same trail to return to the parking area, having fully explored the Avatar Grove Nature Trail.