Map and info on the Juan de Fuca trail

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is on the south west coast of Vancouver island. The following map shows where we will be walking.

It is a stretch of 47km and should take us 4-5 days to complete.  The terrain especially in the mid section is tough going.

There are four trailheads to the Juan de Fuca Trail at Juan de Fuca East (China Beach), Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and Botanical Beach. Although most of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed for strenuous day or multi-day hiking/camping in this rugged and isolated area, some easy to moderate day hiking opportunities to the beach or along the trail are available starting from the trailheads.

At the east end of the park you’ll find the vehicle accessible China Beach Campground and the China Beach day-use area. The campground is located in a forested area with open understory, about 1 km east of the China Beach day-use area and the Juan de Fuca East (China Beach) Trailhead. Trails connect the campground to China Beach and the adjacent smaller Second Beach, located east of the larger China Beach day-use.

At the west end of Juan de Fuca Park is Botanical Beach, one of the richest tidal areas along the west coast. Botanical Beach also has a unique shoreline framed by ridges of shale and quartz, which jut up through the black basalt to form huge tableaus. Botanical Beach is the western terminus for the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and a popular day trip destination for visitors wishing to observe this sensitive and unique ecosystem. Wildlife viewing is best done at low tide, when visitors can walk out across the flat sandstone and granite outcroppings to view tide pools filled with brightly coloured marine life.

The BC Park authority recommends the following information:

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed as a wilderness hiking trail. Hiking conditions are always changing and hikers should get up-to-date information before hiking. Additional advisories may be posted at the trailhead information shelters. Your fitness, knowledge, skills and equipment must meet the challenges of the area. All hikers in your group must be prepared for at least the following:

• rugged, uneven ground and slippery conditions on muddy trails, wooden surfaces, boulders and rocky shorelines.
• wading creeks, negotiate steep slopes, climb embankments, and follow an irregular trail.
• damaged structures, wear and tear, storms and other factors may quickly change their condition.
• be prepared for rain & damp mists - Incidents of hypothermia and physical injury increase significantly during prolonged wet period.
• accidents and injuries. It may take hours before help arrives if an accident occurs.