Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Imagine: An open forest of trees so twisted and stunted they look like broccoli, reaching up from a mass of thick, wet moss, drenched in rain that collects in pools. A forest of trees so huge, tall and ancient we all look like little children beside them. A world of vivid green moss, arching ferns, and a mass of plants so thick it's impossible to see the soil beneath it. Both images are part of the rainforest. What the rainforest looks like depends on the soil, topography, proximity to the ocean, soil moisture and the length of time it has been left undisturbed. Temperate rainforests progress through a number of stages: mature, old growth and ancient old growth. Wander along a sandy beach, scramble over headlands, peer into tidepools, marvel at the life beneath a boulder, or watch the fury of the sea against the rocks. The seashore invites your exploration and discovery. Steeped in Nuu-chah-nulth culture dating back thousands of years, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is your gateway to the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. Activities range from a one-hour interpretive walk to the hike of a lifetime along the legendary West Coast Trail. Try surfing, Canadian style, explore tidal pools teeming with sea life or enjoy a tranquil paddle among the emerald waters of the Broken Group Islands. On the bucket list of any serious hiker, the 75-kilometre West Coast Trail follows the one-time survival route of unlucky shipwreck victims through old-growth forests, past wide-open beaches and across suspension bridges spanning rivers and streams. Schooner Cove Trail (located on Highway 4 south of Tofino) - Follow this twisting boardwalk as it descends through young and old stands of cedar/hemlock forest and Sitka spruce fringe to Schooner Cove beach – a great place to do some tidal pool exploring at low tide! This trail is 1 km one-way and has some long flights of stairs.  Long Beach at North Beach Parking Lot (located on Highway 4 halfway between Ucluelet and Tofino) - Put on your walking shoes and make the trek south to sit on one of Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs. Hint: when you get to the green point or rocky outcropping look up, look way up. Incinerator Rock (located on Highway 4 north of Long Beach) - Long Beach isn’t just famous for its long stretch of sand and sky, it’s also one of the best places to catch waves on the west coast of Canada. Put on a (thick) wet suit, take a lesson, and give surfing a try.  Rainforest Trail  - Route B (located on Highway 4 south of Long Beach) - Explore a world of ancient giants, drifting mists, witches’ moss, twisted trees and rainforest wildlife on the Rainforest Trail. The trail is 1 km and there are many short flights of stairs. (Route A of the Rainforest Trail is closed for repairs.) Willowbrae and Halfmoon Bay Trails (located off of Highway 4, 2 km south of the Ucluelet -Tofino Junction) - Stroll along a path through old growth forest and discover secluded sandy beaches just waiting for your footprints. Halfmoon Bay Trail branches off of Willowbrae Trail after 1 km. Both trails are approximately 1.5 km one-way and have long flights of stairs leading to the beach. Green Point Campground is the only campground in the spectacular Long Beach Unit. Since Green Point Campground was established in 1962, people from all over the world have come to experience the beauty and tranquility it has to offer. READ MORE: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/index.aspx