Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada
West Coast Trail Orientation Session
The West Coast Trail orientation session provides valuable, up to date, information for hikers©Parks Canada
All overnight users of the West Coast Trail (WCT) must participate in an orientation session. The purpose of the orientation is to:
- Reduce the number of hiker injuries by addressing common safety issues
- Reduce park users environmental impacts by providing backcountry etiquette information.
- Provide information to hikers about current issues and trail conditions
- Provide a brief history of the West Coast Trail and its place in Canada's heritage.
- Issue the WCT Overnight Use Permits and collect fees
When the trail is wet boardwalk can be treacherous, pay attention to your footing and use the hand rails when available©Parks Canada / C. Fysh / 1984 / Q-3
Bring your reservation confirmation information (if applicable) to the orientation.
Hikers with reservations will be issued a Pacific Rim National Park Reserve West Coast Trail Map when they register on the trail. Hikers on stand by can purchase the map at the trailhead.
Orientation sessions are offered at 9:30AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM at both WCT Information Centres.
Pacific storms threw so many vessels onto the rocks and shoals of this rugged coast that it came to be known as "the Graveyard of the Pacific".©Parks Canada / B. Brittain, 1971 / P
Reservations are not necessary for orientation sessions. The orientation process takes about 1 1/2 hours.
Hikers may participate in an orientation session as early as 3:30 PM the day before their hike starts.
Hikers with reservations who will arrive after 1:00 PM on their reserved start date must contact the WCT Information Centre nearest their starting trailhead to prevent their reserved spaces from being given to hikers on standby.
We strongly recommend hikers start the trail a minimum of 5 hours before sunset to ensure a camping area is reached before nightfall.
Register off the WCT at the end of your hike by dropping off one copy of the WCT Overnight Use Permit at the WCT Information Centre nearest your exit.