Pachena Bay West Coast Trail Orientation Centre

The Pachena Bay West Coast Trail Orientation Centre is the northern trailhead's registration and briefing office, about 5 km south of Bamfield. It's for West Coast Trail hikers, not a general Pacific Rim visitor centre. Overnight hikers need a reservation and backcountry use permit; day hikers also need a permit and orientation. Build the briefing into your arrival plan.

Staff cover tides, weather, wildlife, trail work and current conditions, then provide a waterproof map and tide references. This is the last chance to adjust your plan before a remote 75 km hike. The route can take six to eight days, and weather or river conditions can delay hikers, so check the briefing schedule before you travel.

Expect gravel logging roads: the drive is about two hours from Port Alberni or three from Duncan. The overnight West Coast Trail season runs May 1 through September 30. There’s no cell service at Pachena Bay. Trailhead parking is unsecured; ask at the centre about current options. The Huu-ayaht Market and Café in Bamfield, about 5 km away, is a separate stop for food and supplies.

The West Coast Trail follows older paths and paddling routes used by Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht people for travel and trade. After the 1906 Valencia wreck and the loss of more than 125 lives, Pachena Lighthouse was built in 1907 and a lifesaving route with shelters was established along this coast. The trail later became part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.