Walk the Wild Side Trail
Walk the Wild Side Trail
5
About
Walk the Wild Side is a 11km hike historically used by the Ahousaht people. Visitors now have the opportunity to experience the culture of the trail while hiking along forest boardwalk and 8 gorgeous beaches. Used by the Ahousaht people for thousands of years, Walk the Wild Side Trail is an 11km escape into the remote wilderness of Clayoquot Sound. First restored in the early 1990’s, Walk the Wild Side Trail has developed into must-see ecotourism destination for those visiting Tofino and Ucluelet. Take a tour through the Maaqtusiis reserve and then head out on to the trail with your Ahousaht Heritage Trail guidebook for the ultimate cultural experience!
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
50 reviews
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5
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seaofshowers
Victoria, Canada10 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Hi - I wonder if some of the reviewers are confusing these very different trails? The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet about a half an hour from Tofino. It is short, easy, and offers stunning views.... a great place to bring a camera and enjoy a stroll. The Wild Side Trail is accessed with a 40 minute water taxi from Tofino and leaves from Ahousaht. I believe it is generally done as an overnighter as it is 22 km return.
Happy Trails whichever you choose. : )
Happy Trails whichever you choose. : )
Written May 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RosemaryRonalds
Port Alberni, Canada93 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
We have done both.
The Wild Pacific Trail is a shore bound short walk in Ucluelet, beautiful ocean views and benches for a quiet medatative moment with nature.
The other trail, an eleven km hike befins in Ahoushat and winds through Flores Islqnd to Cow Bay and Flores Mountain.
Two distictly different experiences? There is no fee for the Ucluelet but there is a trail fee in Ahoushat.
The Wild Pacific Trail is a shore bound short walk in Ucluelet, beautiful ocean views and benches for a quiet medatative moment with nature.
The other trail, an eleven km hike befins in Ahoushat and winds through Flores Islqnd to Cow Bay and Flores Mountain.
Two distictly different experiences? There is no fee for the Ucluelet but there is a trail fee in Ahoushat.
Written November 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn L
4 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
I whole heartedly recommend visiting Ahousaht's Wild Side Trail. The views are completely stunning. The trail is well-maintain and well marked. We took 2 nights to do the hike at a very leisurely pace. I would recommend making sure that no reserve dogs follow you out on the trail - they are very friendly and they will come the whole way with you. The trail's office staff was very helpful as well. I can't wait to visit again.
Written September 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
campinguy70
Vancouver, Canada8 contributions
Aug 2010
Walk the Wild Side trail is my favorite spot on Vancouver Island for either a backpacking trip or a day trip from Tofino. A 45 min boat ride from Tofino, Wild Side winds its way along the roughly ten beaches of the south side of Flores Island Wild Side epitomizes rugged west coast beauty and wildlife. Each beach has its own personality. The last trip I camped at three of them and all offer their benefits. The last beach, Cow Bay, has great sunsets and a beautiful huge beach. Others which we stayed on have more surf, different rock formations or streams nearby. Wild Side is really quiet since few people know about it and you can have a whole beach to yourself which is awesome. Also, you don't have to book and reserve like the West Coast Trail and its cheap which is great. If backpacking, three days is a good amount of time to spend on the trail. The hike is relatively easy with little elevation gain/loss. There are bear caches in some locations which is a really nice thing to have. The only downside is that there is not much water on the trail. In the summer the only good place to access water is a stream near the end by Cow Bay. This is not a big deal, you just have to pack lots of water and refill at the stream by Cow Bay. The trail is well maintained and has great staff from the welcoming Ahousaht First Nation. One of the coolest parts of the trail is the signs made by people of the Ahousaht nation which give historical information on how the trail was traditionally used and the spiritual aspects of the area. Be sure to pick up the guide book which has longer stories for each of the signs which is perfect for sharing around a fire. Wild Side is definitely worth the trip to Ahousaht!
Written June 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeresaBCN29
Barcelona, Spain39 contributions
May 2016
Flores Island, near Tofino. Take a water-taxi in Tofino, pay a trail-fee. You can choose " sleep in the lodge or the forest". The trail is long, magic, ...you will probably be aloneee.....with the wolves. ;) . Recommendation: respect the wild trail and keep your garbage. Keep it clean.
Written January 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesly D
Surrey, Canada492 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I camped on two parts of this trail this summer--at Cow
Bay on the north end and Whitesand Cove on the south end. I was kayaking from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, taking the outer route going out and the inner route coming back. This is one of my favourite trips because of the challenges of the water as well as the unparalleled beauty. With a backing of soaring mountains, the main islands of Vargas and Flores, and numerous smaller islands and islets, the vista is unforgettable. The Walk on the Wild Side Trail traverses 11 km of the south side of Flores Island, with interior sections of trail linking a progression of sandy beaches. When I have been there I have never seen many people, and on this trip I had the beaches all to myself. I particularly love Cow Bay as it feels remote and removed from all the stresses of daily life. There are some protected areas where you are likely able to land a kayak without difficulty. This is an area of cougars, bears, and wolves--truly wild country. If you take the trail, my favourite place to stop for a rest or overnight is Whaler Islet, situated in the channel midway between Vargas and Flores Islands. If you are leaving from Whitesand Cove you will be in line to meet it if going across to Flores. Whaler Island is very small--essentially two rocky islets joined by a sand dune. However, its feel is almost tropical. With all the reefs and islets and islands around it, it is one of the most scenic and magical places you can imagine. At low tide the scenery is best.
Bay on the north end and Whitesand Cove on the south end. I was kayaking from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, taking the outer route going out and the inner route coming back. This is one of my favourite trips because of the challenges of the water as well as the unparalleled beauty. With a backing of soaring mountains, the main islands of Vargas and Flores, and numerous smaller islands and islets, the vista is unforgettable. The Walk on the Wild Side Trail traverses 11 km of the south side of Flores Island, with interior sections of trail linking a progression of sandy beaches. When I have been there I have never seen many people, and on this trip I had the beaches all to myself. I particularly love Cow Bay as it feels remote and removed from all the stresses of daily life. There are some protected areas where you are likely able to land a kayak without difficulty. This is an area of cougars, bears, and wolves--truly wild country. If you take the trail, my favourite place to stop for a rest or overnight is Whaler Islet, situated in the channel midway between Vargas and Flores Islands. If you are leaving from Whitesand Cove you will be in line to meet it if going across to Flores. Whaler Island is very small--essentially two rocky islets joined by a sand dune. However, its feel is almost tropical. With all the reefs and islets and islands around it, it is one of the most scenic and magical places you can imagine. At low tide the scenery is best.
Written January 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjo W
8 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
If you love hiking, this trail is definetely worth hiking. We took the 10:30 boat from Tofino to Flores and stayed at the Aauuknuk lodge. After registration and drop of some lugguge at the lodge, we start hiking at 13:00. great hike, partly boardwalk and lots of beaches. The last part (to the bridge and after the brigde) is more difficult than the first part, especially when it has rained. We were lucky that is was already dry for some months. We made it till the first beach (not completly till cow beach) after the bridge and walked back in about 2,5 hours. We were back at the lodge at 19:00.
We were here half september and there were only 4 guests at the lodge. The rooms are small, with one double bed in it. But it was very clean. You can not cook yourself, but for 20$ each you have great diner. We heard that in the summer the lodge was fully booked a few weeks. We met only a few other hikers. Most of them arrived early and took the boot back to Tofino in the afternoon. There are enough watertaxi's to bring and take you to Tofino for 20$ each one way.
We were here half september and there were only 4 guests at the lodge. The rooms are small, with one double bed in it. But it was very clean. You can not cook yourself, but for 20$ each you have great diner. We heard that in the summer the lodge was fully booked a few weeks. We met only a few other hikers. Most of them arrived early and took the boot back to Tofino in the afternoon. There are enough watertaxi's to bring and take you to Tofino for 20$ each one way.
Written September 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hannah B
6 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
I did this trail this past weekend and it blew me away. Transportation to Flores Island was as simple as walking to the dock and asking around. The locals are extremely friendly and welcoming. The trail itself is breathtaking, through green canopies and along the ocean. It is a good idea to pay attention to tides, on the way there we had to take the upper trail due to high tide but on the way back we took the beachside trail. We spent one night at Cow Bay and camped on the beach which was amazing to wake up to.
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMR82
Victoria, Canada16 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This was an absolutely incredible over night hike. Make sure you ask for a map at the office (we ended up getting lost on the trail of tears thinking it was the next cut through). The people of Ahousat are so very welcoming. We timed it so that we could walk most of the trail at low tide, walking on the white sand beaches with a few short rock scrambles. Crossing the first river at the mouth it was only ankle deep. We had the trail pretty much to ourselves. Take plenty of water as the only drinkable water source is at the end of the trail. We will absolutely be doing this hike again and again and highly recommend it to anyone who is travelling to Tofino!
Written May 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jörg P
Frankfurt, Germany24 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
my family spent a day with a great hike, accompanied by the local man John, who lives there in Ahousat on Flores Island. It was a great experience to learn from Jihn about the rich history as also about the specifics in fauna and flora. Can only recommend
Written September 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I locate a person to take us to the Walk the Wild Side Trail and the town that was mentioned? Is the trail appropriate for someone who is not a seasoned hiker?
Written July 10, 2019
Hello, we'd like to do the trail at the end of May. The trail website says that the "trail offers 3 designated camping areas complete with platforms, outhouses, and food caches." We don't currently plan on bringing a tent - can we shelter in an 'outhouse' without one? Apologies - coming from the UK so a little confused by the terminology! Thanks, Christine
Written March 18, 2018
Hi! I'm trying to establish whether the trail is open in late October but having no success. Does anyone here know? Thanks! :) Jeni
Written September 13, 2017
it's a year-round trail, I think it's only closed in serious wind storms
Written September 14, 2017
We are looking at doing this hike in March with our kids. Are Cougars and bears a serious threat? How many ppl have seen these animals up close and any scary encounters?
Written February 4, 2017
I have been hiking this trail for 14 years and have never seen a cougar or bear. I do have pictures of cougar prints though. Once the Ahousaht people came and tracked me down because a cougar and I had crossed paths each of us going the opposite direction. The cougar had wandered into the new town that I had left from.
Written February 4, 2017
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