North Coast Trail is one of the newest additions to the growing list of wilderness backpacking adventures located here on Vancouver Island found on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada in the Cape Scott Provincial Park. We believe it is a great time in Vancouver Island trail history because of the extension provided by the North Coast Trail of the Cape Scott Trail. Previously the Cape Scott hike was a "there and back" hike along the same trail. Now with the new trail system added into the adventure it is a now a one-way trail hike with added kilometres, wildlife sightings and marine scenery.

The North Coast Trail is a 46 kilometre backpack adventure exploring remote rainforests, crossing rivers and walking sandy island beaches. The additional trail system starts at Nissen Bight which is one of the wilderness campsite beaches located on the Cape Scott Trail and ends at a pick up point located at Shushartie Bay. In total the trail system combines into a 60 kilometre trek from the Cape Scott Trailhead near Holberg, BC.

The first section of the North Coast Trail starts from Nissen Bight and ends at Shuttleworth Bight. The trail to Shuttleworth covers 5.2 kilometre of newly developed hiking trail, 5.7 kilometres following the old Settlers Trail and continues on for another 8 kilometres on a beach front trail which includes a cable car crossing at Stranby River. During this first stretch of trail there are camping facilities found at Laura Creek and Shuttleworth Bight.

The second phase of the North Coast Trail extends from Shuttleworth Bay to the pick up point at Shushartie Bay. The backpack trail involves lots of "sweat and tears" covering 6.6 kilometre of beach front walking, 5 kilometres past Cape Sutil, 13.5 kilometres of rainforests including a cable car crossing over Nahwitti River. The trail ends at Sushartie Bay where a water taxi is waiting to take you back to civilization to a hot shower and, from experience, a good hot cooked meal.

The area is home to some Black Bears and cougars, so do keep aware of your surroundings while hiking.The trailhead of the North Coast Trail starts with a 63 kilometre drive along gravel dirt roads past the community of Holberg just west of Cape Scott Provincial Park.