The Schooner Cove Trailhead leads through untouched countryside, but the boardwalks and stairs along the way make it accessible to hikers of all ages and fitness levels. However. it’s not suitable for wheelchairs. Catch glimpses of the ocean between the trunks of monster trees and listen as the forest sounds mingle with the rolling of the waves. Finally, emerge into sheltered Schooner Cove itself.
Set off from the northern end of the Pacific Rim National Park Preserve near Tofino. From here, the hike is just over 1 mile (around 2 kilometres), so take your time and enjoy your surroundings. Stop to admire burbling creeks and canopies made of lush green leaves. Look up and notice that many of the tallest cedars and hemlock trees seem to reach to the sky. Many of them have been around for generations.
This trail is one of the quieter ones in the area. Come here to find the ideal place for peaceful contemplation. As elsewhere in Pacific Rim National Park Preserve, your thoughts may be interrupted by the rustle of life from the undergrowth. Be prepared to meet raccoons, deer and a menagerie of other mammals and birds. Look for “nurse logs,” toppled trees which have other trees growing out of them. These fallen giants add to the untamed appearance of the trail.
Just as you’re getting acclimatized to the forest, the path will begin to descend. Follow it out through the trees and onto the beach. Pick through rock pools, hunting for crabs and tiny fish stranded by the turning of the tides. Take off your shoes and walk with your feet in the waves toward hidden Schooner Cove itself, a quiet spot that makes a perfect picnic area. When the tide is high, hikers can only reach the cove by taking a heavily wooded trail, adding to the magical sense of isolation.
Get to the Schooner Cove Trailhead via the Pacific Rim Highway. It’s well signposted along the way from Tofino, which is 9 miles (15 kilometres) away. Make sure you have a Pacific Rim National Park Preserve parking pass. This is your key to the beautiful Schooner Cove Trail and many other stunning routes besides.
