While the West Coast Trail is still THE great trail of the west coast, BC’s sunshine coast now has its own long-distance trail: the Sunshine Coast Trail. The trail stretches 180 km from the Saltery Bay ferry terminal in the south to Sarah Point in Desolation Sound Marine Park in the north. While not as spectacular as the WCT, it does appear to have some great views and pass through some old-growth forest.

Other trails to consider on the west coast:

• The Nootka Trail, a wilder and more rugged version of the WCT.
• Coming soon: Vancouver Island’s North Coast Trail. This trail is still being built, but promised to be pretty amazing when completed.