Parking
The Cape Beale trailhead road is at the end of South Bamfield Road. Marked parking is about 400 m up-road from the trailhead.
Overview
About Keeha Beach Trail
Why go
- Crescent beach with rocky headlands, tide pools and sea arches
- Mostly level forest approach through hemlock and cedar
Heads up
- Rooty, slippery footing can make the return slower than the distance suggests
Keeha Beach Trail is a 7 km out-and-back, 3.5 km each way, from Cape Beale Trailhead to Keeha Beach. The path passes through hemlock and cedar before opening onto a crescent of Pacific shore between rocky headlands, with tide pools and sea arches at the end. Budget about three to four hours for the return walk, then leave time to explore the beach. I’d choose it for the shoreline, not a polished stroll: the route is fairly flat, but roots and slick footing can make it feel slower than its distance suggests.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this beach walk for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Pacific Rim map
Full mapElevation0–50 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
7 active Pacific Rim alerts
- ClosureWest Coast Trail winter access restrictionMentions West Coast Trail, referenced in this guideFrom October 7 through April 30, only day use between Pachena Bay trailhead and km 8 is permitted; overnight use and the remainder of the West Coast Trail are closed.Official details
- ClosureWest Coast Trail lightstations closedMentions West Coast Trail, referenced in this guideCarmanah Point and Pachena Point Lightstations and their surrounding grounds in the West Coast Trail Unit are closed to public use at all times; do not enter.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Pacific Rim Tour Guide
Your drive to Keeha Beach Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Pacific Rim audio tourRecorded for this area
Pachena Bay Campground0:00 / 0:29
“Pachena Bay Campground is coming up, a Huu-ay-aht First Nations-operated camp beside a long sandy beach. If you're starting or finishing the West Coast Trail at its northern end, this is a handy place to spend a night.”
Plays on the road 3.2 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Pacific Rim Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Wave Across the Pacific
- Pachena Bay West Coast Trail Orientation Centre
- 34 audio storiesacross Pacific Rim’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Orca, Humpback Whale, Black Bear, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 19 trails, 52 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Keeha Beach Trail
Find the Keeha forkThe Cape Beale trailhead road is at the end of South Bamfield Road; marked parking is about 400…
The Cape Beale trailhead road is at the end of South Bamfield Road; marked parking is about 400 m up-road from the trailhead. At the junction, take the left fork and follow the east side of Kichha Lake toward Keeha Beach. This is the Keeha route, not the separate Cape Beale Lighthouse trail. The beach is your turnaround, so save some energy for the same path back.
The forest approachParks Canada describes the terrain as fairly flat, but bare roots and slippery, precarious…
Parks Canada describes the terrain as fairly flat, but bare roots and slippery, precarious sections are common. Hikers repeatedly report muddy stretches, which can slow the walk even without a big climb. Give yourself extra time if the ground is wet, especially on the return when tired legs are less steady.
Give Keeha Beach timeThe reward is a long crescent of sand with rocky headlands at both ends, open Pacific views,…
The reward is a long crescent of sand with rocky headlands at both ends, open Pacific views, surf, tidal pools and sea arches. It’s worth slowing down at the shore instead of turning straight around. For a wide photo, include the curve and a headland so the shape of the beach comes through; the pools and arches are better close-up details.
Water and overnight campingKichha Lake and its outflow creek provide water, but treat it before drinking.
Kichha Lake and its outflow creek provide water, but treat it before drinking. A composting toilet is at the south end of Keeha Beach, not at the trailhead. Designated overnight camping is seasonal, May 1 through September 30; campers need a backcountry permit and National Park Entry Pass, and must register at Pachena Trailhead. These requirements are for overnight stays, not a substitute for checking current park access information.
Rules and safetyDogs are prohibited in the West Coast Trail Unit, including the Cape Beale Headlands, except…
Dogs are prohibited in the West Coast Trail Unit, including the Cape Beale Headlands, except for certified service pets. Parks Canada strongly recommends that at least one person in each group carry bear spray and know how to use it. The beach is exposed to surf and changing tides, so check conditions before wandering along the shore.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Pacific Rim
11 sightingsOrcaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
16 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
174 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
16 sightingsSea OtterMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
134 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
18 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Pacific Rim. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
