Lucky guests aboard the MV Uchuck III sometimes see grey whales, killer whales and black bears during the journey back to Gold River. Groups of kayakers, bald eagles, harbor seals and sea otters are common sights along the route. Uchuck III. The Uchuck offers weary hikers front-row seats to kick back, relax and enjoy seeing more of Vancouver Island’s Wild West Coast. One of Canada’s few remaining inhabited lighthouses stands guard on a rocky outcrop overlooking Friendly Cove and the entrance to Nootka Sound.įrom Friendly Cove you cruise back to Gold River aboard the M.V. Today an historic church still sits on the shoreline, it is now a Cultural Centre. This lucrative trade eventually led to a war between the British and Spanish. This National Historic site in significant in that it is where Chief Maquinna started the sea otter trade with Captain Cook. Friendly Cove is the ancestral summer home of the Mowachaht / Muchalaht First Nations people. From there it’s the final leg to Friendly Cove, serenaded by the crashing surf along a pebbled beach. Stretches along the shoreline feature sea caves and pocket beaches, perfect sites for sheltered camping at Maquinna Point. Watch for the remains of a long house and culturally modified trees.Īs you get further south the hike turns inland along cliffs overlooking the open Pacific Ocean, offering views of migrating grey whales and rafts of sea otters. Further along at Bajo Point the remains of an ancient Mowachaht/Muchalaht village still exists in the rain forest. Wolf sightings are becoming more frequent in the area so be diligent with your food stores and waste. Surf huts are tucked away in the rain forest nearby. This is a great destination to spend a day, clean up and recharge. Calvin Falls is one the hike’s highlights as Calvin Creek cascades over a waterfall to the ocean. Some areas are impassable at high tide but there are marked trails heading overland for these stretches. The majority of the hike is along the shoreline, on sandy beaches and over rocky escarpments. With an‘infinity pool’ thanks to a tidal dammed creek and established campsites this is a great place to enjoy the first day and soak up the west coast experience swimming, beachcombing and exploring. Upon landing at Louie Bay Lagoon it is a 45 minute hike through a rain forest along a marked trail to Third Beach and the open Pacific Ocean and miles of sandy beaches, perfect for beachcombing. Pilots double as tour guides, pointing out significant landmarks and insights into the history of Nootka Island.

Far superior to a water taxi, this 40k flight offers spectacular views of Nootka Sound, flying over the route you will hike to help familiarize yourself with the route. Hiking the Nootka Trail begins in Gold River, BC with Air Nootka floatplane service to Louie Bay at the north end of Nootka Island. Expect to see sea otters, river otters, black bear, wolves and whales as well as First Nations artifacts along your hike.

The Nootka Island Trail features miles of sandy beaches flanked by old growth rain forest, sea caves carved by high tides, crashing open Pacific surf and stunning west coast sunsets to end the day with. The MV Uchuck III does not stop at Louie Bay. Start your hike from Louie Bay with a flight in from Gold River via Air Nootka.

Unlike Vancouver Island’s popular West Coast Trail, there’s no need to apply for a permit and you will likely have most of the trail to yourself. With unlimited access and limitless beaches, the Nootka Island Trail offers hikers a 5 to 7 day, 35km trek following the coastal shoreline of Nootka Island from Louie Bay Lagoon to Friendly Cove. Please call the office to get on the pick up list if you would like a ride back to Gold River. Hike the Nootka Trail We are able to pick up passengers at Friendly Cove on Wednesday and Saturdays.

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