What guidebooks do you recommend?
Our best advice is that you get your hands on several guidebooks & cross-reference them. We carry at least 2 books as well as the recommended Routes from this website. We sit around the campfire each night comparing the descriptions of the next day’s adventure. You’ll consult the guidebooks to make decisions on whether to hike the forest trail or the coast.
Best guide? No doubt — Blisters & Bliss, the WCT Bible. Every group should be carrying a copy.
Starting in Bamfield?
If you can only carry 1 guide, and you are starting in Bamfield buy Blisters & Bliss. We love their fun, readable format. Be sure to get the most recent 5th edition, 2003 which added trail descriptions in both directions. Congratulations on a major improvement to what was already the most popular trail guide ever. Amazon.com may not have the most recent edition, by the way.
Starting in Port Renfrew?
Soaring with the Eagles on Canada’s West Coast Trail, is best for planning tips; fitness, clothing, food, contact information. First published 2001 by University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, look for the updated 2005 edition. Buy it at Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada or e-mail Al Brawn, the author.
Al has hiked the West Coast Trail dozens of times enriching his spiritual life getting close to nature. His book is excellent for planning your trip though it contains no Trail description — you don't need to carry it on the WCT.
Other Recommended guidebooks:
We love Hiking on the Edge by Ian Gill, 3rd edition (October 2002), a philosophical, almost poetic guide. A larger, heavier book, with gorgeous colour photos by David Nunuk, this is the one we usually leave at home on the coffee table. If you like this book, look for Haida Gwaii by the same authors — their adventures in the Queen Charlotte Islands.
George Allen’s 1994 book Timeless Shore is an even more lovely, even more poetic photo coffee-table book. It’s only available in hard cover so you won’t want to lug it along. It describes the hike starting from Bamfield.
Other useful books:
Plants of the West Coast Trail, by Colin Varner, 2003 is a delightful pocket book designed to be carried on the hike. Get one!
Pacific Rim Explorer, by Obee, 1998. Whitecap Books, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Many of these guide books are available through libraries. Some are available in large book stores especially as you get closer to the West Coast of Canada.
What are the best West Coast Trail websites?
There are dozens of good WCT websites. We’ve linked to them throughout & highlighted some of the most useful under Links.
Download (Word or PDF) The Official West Coast Trail Hiker Preparation Guide. That's the best jump after this site.
