Willowbrae Trail

Willowbrae Trail is a 1.4 km one-way walk from Willowbrae Road to Florencia Bay South, then back the same way: 2.8 km (1.74 mi) round trip. The gravel path crosses old-growth cedar and hemlock forest before a long wooden staircase drops through a steep drainage to the beach. Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 1.5 hours, including a short stop on the sand; the return climb makes this feel harder than the distance suggests.

The main path is 2–3 m wide, with some slopes steeper than 10 degrees. Fallen trees become nurseries for new seedlings in the old-growth forest. Near the descent, the forest changes to spruce, then the route follows boardwalk stairs down the steep drainage to the sheltered bay.

The mapped Willowbrae route ends at the southern beach access. The shoreline can shift with tides, erosion and driftwood, so leave time to wander before turning around. For a photo, include a strip of beach and the dark wooded headland against the open water; a tight shot of the water loses the sense of this broad, forest-edged bay. Halfmoon Bay is a separate branch from the shared approach and is not part of Willowbrae’s 1.4 km one-way distance.

Before a road connected Ucluelet and Tofino in 1942, this trail formed part of a two-day travel route between the communities. That history still fits the walk: it crosses a forested strip to a sheltered landing on the coast rather than ending at a road-side viewpoint.

Turn west from Highway 4 onto Willowbrae Road about 2 km south of the Ucluelet–Tofino junction, then continue roughly 250 m on the gravel road to the lot. Parks Canada visitor parking is minimal and on the right; nearby spaces are for Wya Point Resort, and there is no RV or bus parking. A composting outhouse is at the trailhead. Parks Canada currently prohibits dogs on Willowbrae Trail and South Florencia Beach under its wolf-related restriction; check current notices before bringing a dog.