Keeha Bay Trail is one of the least known trails on Vancouver Island, Canada but is one of our favorite hikes and backpacking destinations on the island because of the extreme hiking conditions and beach scenery. The Keeha Bay Trail is a deceiving 3.2 kilometre trek leading to a beautiful private sandy beach hidden away in a cove out in the middle of rainforest country. No people, no life distractions.. just beach.

By deceiving we mean the trail is short but challenging. All who hike the trail should expect to get dirty and expect a real good work out. All hikers, whether it is a day hike or an overnight backpacking adventure should be prepared for mud. The trail is very west coast, often in the shadows of the giant rainforest trees, letting in very little sunlight resulting in wet, moist trail conditions most of the year. The Keeha Bay Trail treats all who hike it to a beautiful white sandy beach at the end of the trek. Every boot soaker is worth the end result.

But first, in order to reach the beach, all hikers must navigate deep mud holes, must cling to tree roots, must climb over and crawl under deadfall, must walk along fallen deadfall trees and must push through thick brush. And here is the kicker.. once you think you are almost there, you must climb a steep daunting hill covered in deedfall to reach the beach.

Keeha Bay Beach is priceless. Not yet over populated, hikers and wilderness campers often enjoy the whole cove to themselves for many days. The beach is ideal for camping with plenty of driftwood available for campfires thrown ashore by storms (please keep fires small and manageable). There is a small creek for water located at the south end of the beach (boil all water). There is some storage lockers available also to store food away at night safely from the local wildlife (If full hang food in a bag from a branch high up in the trees 100 feet from all campers).

All hikers should be prepared with rain gear as storms move in and out fast. Tarps are a very good idea for many reasons but especially if you want to stay dry and have a good time while enjoy the storms from out of your tent. many times we have had to share tarp cover with people caught unprepared. It might be blue skies at the trailhead, but conditions can change by the time you reach the beach.

From the beach along the trial there are many opportunities to view wildlife. During many of our trips to Keeha Bay since 1995 we have spotted and photographed Black Bears, Bald Eagles, whales, sea lions, seals, sandpipers, osprey and hawks.

Also, the Keeha Bay Trail is the beginning to the longer less used 6.5 kilometre Cape Beale Trail leading to a lighthouse and some more wilderness camping opportunities. Approximately 1.5 kilometres along the Keeha Bay Trail is the turn off to the Cape Beale Lighthouse Trail.

Leap to: neighbor communities of: - Cowichan Lake - Port Alberni - Tofino - Ucluelet

How to get to Keeha Bay Trailhead: From the community Bamfield, BC on the west coast of Vancouver Island drive south for a short distance to South Bamfield Road. Follow the road to the very small parking lot designated for Keeha Bay Trail hikers located on the right side of the road. Park here.

From the parking lot start walking to the end of the road to the large trailhead sign. The trail starts with boardwalk ... Have fun eh!