Rainforest Trail
Rainforest Trail, Tofino: Address, Phone Number, Rainforest Trail Reviews: 4.5/5
Rainforest Trail
Rainforest Trail
4.5
About
Rainforest Trail has two routes, A & B, both of which fully engulf you in the temperate rainforest full of gigantic western red cedars and western hemlocks. Sparking a sensation of zen, you will be overcome with the nostalgia of your childhood memories, ready to make more. Scan the upper canopy for birds, listen to the trickle of water and smell the life of this highly productive forest. Trail A is located on the opposite side of the highway from the parking lot. Trail B starts from the parking lot.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
22 within 3 miles

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Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
921 reviews
Excellent
678
Very good
200
Average
35
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,144 contributions
It's not a very long walk. You will definitely good footwear if it's raining (most likely). The wooden path can be quite slippery. If you have never walked within a rain forest it will not disappoint. Off the path (which is forbidden) it is totally unnavigable. Some of the trees along the route are enormous. They are gradually increasing the length and it would be well doing the full circuit when complete. Need to take a water taxi to get to Meares Island. Can also book a guide if you want more ecological information.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chuck
Santa Cruz, CA431 contributions
Lovely, intimate way to see the inside of a forest. Wooden walkways allow you to "walk" above the wet, mushy, inhospitable floor of the forest and explore the wonders of tree growth and death. Easily navigated, but also requires some stair-climbing and care when walking with (possibly) careless children.
Each of the two walks is about 1km in length, and can be walked in 20 minutes or so. I'd recommend both of them, but the seaside walk is more dramatic and has more ups and downs. Both are excellent.
Each of the two walks is about 1km in length, and can be walked in 20 minutes or so. I'd recommend both of them, but the seaside walk is more dramatic and has more ups and downs. Both are excellent.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dic D
Toronto, Canada94 contributions
Couples
A beautiful trail to fully appreciate what a Canadian rainforest really is.
Two loops (a and b) mean you can enjoy a few hours here. The first part of loop a does run parallel to the highway, so would recommend saving route b for last, as it feels much more tranquil.
Two loops (a and b) mean you can enjoy a few hours here. The first part of loop a does run parallel to the highway, so would recommend saving route b for last, as it feels much more tranquil.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DisneyDarwin
Spring, TX1,109 contributions
Both trails are so green and lush that you will have no doubt you are in a rainforest. Many old growth trees, and many also on the ground adding to the mystery and beauty. Know that there are lots of STAIRS, so the mobility-challenged should only go a short ways or go elsewhere. There are red chairs at a huge old tree on the side across the street from the parking lot.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
122Ppe122
Toronto, Canada6 contributions
We pretty much had the trail to ourselves - didn't see a soul - which was great as it is was quite and peaceful. Amazing to see the massive trees and such natural beauty. The wooden trail through the rainforest is great to keep everyone to a certain route and not destroy/disturb the surroundings.
Definately a must do!
Definately a must do!
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bobcav
Manitoba, Canada510 contributions
While walking this trail, we decided that BC must be the most beautiful province in Canada. It's easy to forget youre in Canada (the land of winter - the northern country) when youre here. It felt like we were in the jungle in Brazil. Just remember to watch where youre walking, the sites are beautiful, but the stairs built into the path can come up on you suddenly when youre busy looking around you in awe.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CourtneyJB92
Calgary, Canada24 contributions
Both walks A and B are quite short - 1km - I recently did walk B and it was gorgeous. The trees are amazing and it’s so lush and green. The walkway is up on a really nice boardwalk so you aren’t walking on plants and any animals aren’t in danger of being stepped on or disturbed. It’s a nice quick walk and it’s well worth it!
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Josephine L
Abbotsford, Canada15 contributions
We love this trail, especially when we are looking to submerse ourselves in a bit of rainforest heaven without spending hours trekking. There are two short trails that took us about 20 minutes each and goes in a loop. Great for hikers of all ages and abilities. The boardwalks are well maintained. You don't have to do both trails as parking is in between - don't forget to purchase your provincial park pass.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mmaarraaa
137 contributions
Friends
It's not much of hike as you walk in a wooden platform the entire time but it's a really cool rainforest with so much to see. We did both of the loops on either side of the highway. Highly recommended. I felt like I was in a Disney movie or Avatar! It was so lush and you could literally hear water drops fall here and there. Sooo cool!
Written September 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StevoinMinnesoto
Cottage Grove, MN576 contributions
This park is located on both sides of highway 4. You park in the lots on the west side. At first we thought that there wasn't much parking as many people were parking out on the highway. We turned into the lots only to find 3 lots and the last was almost empty. The hiking is on raised boardwalks and the views and information were very good. For some reason, we found more people hiking on the east side but we enjoyed both sides of this pretty park. Recommended
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
84Explorer
Edinburgh56 contributions
How long should we plan to visit for? Is an afternoon long enough?
Karen B
27 contributions
Yes for sure. You can stay awhile and check out the shore if you have the whole afternoon. Beautiful!
feetfirst
Radlett, UK143 contributions
How do you find The Rainforest Trail as it doesn't appear on the website. How does one get there from Tofino?
Sally M
Stotfold, UK35 contributions
It's a short drive from Tofino, towards Uqleut. If you go to the visitors centre you can pick up a free map and all locals should be aware of it.
Summer5
Ontario, Canada781 contributions
I want to see big trees. Will this trail provide that or is there better trails in the area for big trees?
1123410
Whistler, Canada277 contributions
If coming from Nanaimo way stop at Cathedral Grove on the way. It's before Port Alberni. Short trails but huuuge beautiful trees - much larger than the rainforest trail. There's one taller than the leaning tower of Pisa!
How long does it take to walk?
Ded2B
Paris, France306 contributions
All dépends ... An hour to an hour and a Half dépending on how many pictures you take... Could be 15 minutes if you have to run with a grizzly chasing you !
😂😂😂
TucsonBorn
Tucson, AZ176 contributions
Will we get the experience if we hike it for an hour or is it important to go to the end?
Bob B
London, Canada54 contributions
There are two trails, one on each side of the road. Both go on a loop, which consists of path, boardwalk and stairs. You could double back on the trail but could be tricky on the boardwalk sections. National Park red chairs are on the trail across the road. Unlike a previous comment, I found walking among trees that were over 800 years old more than a mere walk through a forest
calyj
Edmonton, Canada44 contributions
Can you bike on this trail?
CarolynCJC
St. John's, Canada47 contributions
No. Definitely not a biking trail.
Donna W
Brisbane, Australia79 contributions
Just wondering where on the island the trail begins. Would it be possible to hire kayak from Tofino - kayak across the water to Meares Island and leave the kayaks somewhere safe whilst we walk on the Rainforest trail?
2wreckless
Bradford, UK354 contributions
I think you are confusing this with the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island which you should be able to do from kayaks, but you would need to check where exactly you go from once in Tofino.
Liz E
Waddesdon, UK54 contributions
Where exactly is it in relation to tofino please as visiting next summer.
Jean S
Ashby de la Zouch, UK558 contributions
There are several locations between the visitor centre at the junction with the road to Uclulet and Tofino itself. The main visitor centre at that junction is excellent and will give you maps. There is a trail on the right hand side as you go towards Tofino but the car park is on the other side of the road. There are signpost but you have to look carefully for them and you also have to have a car park pass which is valid for all the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rainforest Trail
- Hotels near Rainforest Trail:
- (0.00 mi) Green Point Campground
- (0.28 mi) Pacific Sands Beach Resort
- (0.16 mi) Tofino Chalet 3 bedroom on Beautiful Jensens Bay
- (0.37 mi) BriMar Bed and Breakfast
- (0.38 mi) Long Beach Lodge Resort
- Restaurants near Rainforest Trail:
- (0.25 mi) Surfside Grill
- (0.38 mi) The Great Room
- (1.44 mi) Chocolate Tofino
- (1.43 mi) wildside grill
- (1.39 mi) Tacofino Cantina