The Sunshine Coast Trail - Day Tours
The Sunshine Coast Trail - Day Tours
The Sunshine Coast Trail - Day Tours
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The Sunshine Coast Trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal shorelines, along creeks and lakes, through old growth forests to panoramic mountaintops. It provides hikers with the opportunity to experience Powell River’s breathtaking backcountry with its rich fauna and flora. What are you waiting for? Come see for yourself...
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The Sunshine Coast Trail - Day Tours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Marcus1900I
Vancouver, Canada126 contributions
Mar 2021
We did a one day trek from Malaspina Rd to Manzanita Hut. beautiful walk in the forest, some of it is being renewed, took us a little less than 2 hours each direction, and we are not from the fast ones. Easy to find the start of the trail, not a lot of parking options on the gravel road near the start.
Written March 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vista888
Vancouver, Canada76 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Our "Group of Seven" women spent 2 nights on the trail. We arrived in Lund late in the afternoon and spent a night at the historic Lund Hotel. We left a car in Lund with "Dave's Parking" and another car at the "Shingle Mill" in Powell River. With an early start the next day (and a quick visit to Nancy's Bakery for a coffee and blackberry cinnamon bun) we chartered a water taxi to Sarah Point in Desolostion Sound. Unloading was a challenge... the driver pulled up as close as possible to the rocky shoreline and told us to throw our heavy packs ashore and we'd have to take a calculated leap. Fortunately, no one fell in!
Day One on the trail: The trail is well marked but not well travelled. (There are campsites at Sarah Point) We set out on the trail about 9:30 am and arrived at the Manzanita Hut about 7pm - a 16 km trek. The terrain is up an down but not too challenging. It's very scenic - rocky arbutus bluffs with glimpses of the ocean. A side trip to Feather Cove is worthwhile - spectacular views of Desolation Sound. If you packed a tent there are several campsites - "the outhouse" is an experience not to miss haha. We stopped at the bluff overlooking Wednesday Lake for lunch. Tried to do some geocaching but didn't want to do too much digging in the rocks for fear of disturbing the numerous snakes. There are a couple of lakes along the route to draw water. The Manzanita Hut has an ideal setting with views of Hernando and Savary Islands. The hut is well designed with the cooking area below and a sleeping loft above.
Day 2: We used up all the water we had been carrying. The guide book we were using said there was a water source a couple of km along the trail. Unfortunately the water was stagnant and clogged the filter on our water pump. We eventually reached a faster running creek to draw water but we used purification tablets too as it was murky. Would recommend carrying some water from manzanita if you can. The detour to the Gibralter lookout is spectacular - beautiful views - you won't want to miss. Riveley's Pond hut is comfortable and similar to the hut at Manzanita. Today's distance was about 18km.
Day 3: The Sliamon Lakes are a great source of water. There was more wildlife and people on this section of the trail. The scout mountain views over the town of Powell River and over Powell Lake we especially breathtaking. Finishing with a drink and a meal at the Shingle Mill Pub was the perfect end to a fun 4 day adventure hiking from hut to hut on the Sunshine Coast trail.
Day One on the trail: The trail is well marked but not well travelled. (There are campsites at Sarah Point) We set out on the trail about 9:30 am and arrived at the Manzanita Hut about 7pm - a 16 km trek. The terrain is up an down but not too challenging. It's very scenic - rocky arbutus bluffs with glimpses of the ocean. A side trip to Feather Cove is worthwhile - spectacular views of Desolation Sound. If you packed a tent there are several campsites - "the outhouse" is an experience not to miss haha. We stopped at the bluff overlooking Wednesday Lake for lunch. Tried to do some geocaching but didn't want to do too much digging in the rocks for fear of disturbing the numerous snakes. There are a couple of lakes along the route to draw water. The Manzanita Hut has an ideal setting with views of Hernando and Savary Islands. The hut is well designed with the cooking area below and a sleeping loft above.
Day 2: We used up all the water we had been carrying. The guide book we were using said there was a water source a couple of km along the trail. Unfortunately the water was stagnant and clogged the filter on our water pump. We eventually reached a faster running creek to draw water but we used purification tablets too as it was murky. Would recommend carrying some water from manzanita if you can. The detour to the Gibralter lookout is spectacular - beautiful views - you won't want to miss. Riveley's Pond hut is comfortable and similar to the hut at Manzanita. Today's distance was about 18km.
Day 3: The Sliamon Lakes are a great source of water. There was more wildlife and people on this section of the trail. The scout mountain views over the town of Powell River and over Powell Lake we especially breathtaking. Finishing with a drink and a meal at the Shingle Mill Pub was the perfect end to a fun 4 day adventure hiking from hut to hut on the Sunshine Coast trail.
Written November 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scott L
Courtenay, Canada196 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We decided to do the hike from Sarah Point to Malaspina Rd after reading as much info as we could find. The first day Sarah Point to Wednesday Lake was rated as a moderate 4 t0 6 hour jaunt. Sounded great. Wasn't quite that easy. The Lund Water Taxi was great. Pulls up to a rock face, the pilot hops out and holds the rope while we pass up the packs and dogs to those on shore.The first 2 hours were mainly climbing, in fact, though I know it's not possible there seemed to be three times more up than down. We're experienced hikers after 6 times over the West Coast Trail and were rather surprised at the difficulty of the first 12 miles. It took us 8 hours of hard work. The temperature being 25C+ didn't help, but, realistically, with a pack that's a long day. Not a lot of drinking water access so take lots of water with you if it's warm.
Feather Cove was beautiful, a lovely stop for the dog to swim and us to take a few pics.
Hinder Lake at approx. 5k in is listed as the first water access. Unfortunately, there is no access to the lake and the first 20 ft. off shore are fallen trees, water lillies and algae. Tough on the filter. I walked out 20 feet on a fallen log to get to some clear water.
Tented at Wednesday Lake, swam and roasted on the bluff. A lovely spot but not a level tent spot in sight at the lake.
Day 2, 9k took 6 hours with no water for 7k. With the heat we experienced all streams listed as seasonal were bone dry so water became a sore point.
We emerged on Malaspina Road exhausted. A good hike but it should be pointed out that while a day hiker with a minimal pack may call it moderate, if you're a packing tent and food, ( a 35lb pack), it's a much harder go.
Feather Cove was beautiful, a lovely stop for the dog to swim and us to take a few pics.
Hinder Lake at approx. 5k in is listed as the first water access. Unfortunately, there is no access to the lake and the first 20 ft. off shore are fallen trees, water lillies and algae. Tough on the filter. I walked out 20 feet on a fallen log to get to some clear water.
Tented at Wednesday Lake, swam and roasted on the bluff. A lovely spot but not a level tent spot in sight at the lake.
Day 2, 9k took 6 hours with no water for 7k. With the heat we experienced all streams listed as seasonal were bone dry so water became a sore point.
We emerged on Malaspina Road exhausted. A good hike but it should be pointed out that while a day hiker with a minimal pack may call it moderate, if you're a packing tent and food, ( a 35lb pack), it's a much harder go.
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
00ELL
Powell River, Canada4 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
I have been hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail for about 14 years, and have seen it progress from a very rudimentary trail to a clearly-marked path that has lots of amenities. This is one hike you don't want to miss out on - and it can accommodate people for everything from day hikes to multi-night adventures. Spectacular views, pristine lakes, old growth trees. It's also an education on logging practices as the trail does go through areas where logging has taken place. The trail is, as it was built to be, an inspiration for protecting wilderness areas for generations to come.
Written December 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniel C
Washington22 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
After a couple of awesome ferry rides on the BC Ferries we were on the upper Sunshine Coast, more specifically the Malaspina Peninsula. We caught the water taxi out of Lund which drops you off on a rock ledge at the tip of the peninsula. The weather this last July was spectacular. 75-80 degrees F, and blue skies. After realizing how remote we were and how little supplies we had- 2 liters of water each, snacks and a lunch- things could have gone real bad had their been an accident. The trail zig zags it's way down the peninsula where you get peek a boo views of Desolation Sound on one side and Strait of Georgia on the other. Mostly the trail goes up and down through old growth forest. Luckily we hiked the fairly new trail all day long, did not see another person, one black bear eating berries, took a dip in a lake, had a wonderful lunch and came out where the trail crosses a road, 22 kilometers later near Okeover Arm Provincial park. Tired, a bit hungry, but feeling very accomplished.
Written September 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bertiebert33
1 contribution
Sep 2014
The single track, the old growth trees, the creeks, and the various huts/shelters make the SCT a first-rate experience of the British Columbia outdoors.
Written February 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teresa H
Texada Island, Canada6,447 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I have hiked the SCT trail to all the 12 huts as day trips. This means we also hiked a great deal of access routes which in many cases are not well known. I disagree with a previous review- the SCT is WELL marked. I highly recommend the SCT trail map on the PR Backcountry map AND if accessing huts contact Western Forest for an update or Visitors Information for suggested routes.
Get a passport and hike into all 12. The most we did in one day hike was four huts by hiring a boat to take us from the the head of Powell Lake to Fiddlehead Landging and hiking to Confederation Lake and the 2 Inland Lake cabins. One of the longest days was the hike from Saltry Bay hike to Rainy Day Lake (best swimming ever!) to Fairview Bay and back to Saltry Bay.
Get the SCT Trail Book (volume 4 is out now) for accurate trail description.
Get a passport and hike into all 12. The most we did in one day hike was four huts by hiring a boat to take us from the the head of Powell Lake to Fiddlehead Landging and hiking to Confederation Lake and the 2 Inland Lake cabins. One of the longest days was the hike from Saltry Bay hike to Rainy Day Lake (best swimming ever!) to Fairview Bay and back to Saltry Bay.
Get the SCT Trail Book (volume 4 is out now) for accurate trail description.
Written December 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel I
6 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This was our first backcountry camping adventure! Our original plan was to hike from Sarah Point to Powell River. We did not have much time, and after realizing that day 1 we would not be able to take the water taxi from Lund to Sarah Point until 230pm (one of their boats was not working?), we decided to just leave from Powell River. We parked in the Shingle Mill parking lot ($5/day) and after a bit of searching, finally found the entry point of the trail. The only official Sunshine Coast Trail sign was when you entered the pub parking lot, so we had to wander around looking for the little orange markers you come to appreciate throughout the rest of the trail. Over the next two days, we saw about 10 people at different times, heading North to South as opposed to our South to North endeavour. The scenery was amazing of course, the camping areas were super cute and despite the difficulties of carrying our bags, we had an awesome time! There were a couple of times where we thought we might run out of water before getting to an adequate stream, but it turned out alright. Between the two of us, we were carrying about 3.5 litres. We didn't quite make it to Sarah Point, due to our time crunch we ended up walking to Lund when we came to the highway on day 2 and took a bus from there to Powell River.
Loved the 30km we saw of this trail and would love to do more! Try it!
Loved the 30km we saw of this trail and would love to do more! Try it!
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tracey E
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada21 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Stretching from Sarah Point past Lund to Saltery Bay, this is 180 km of hiking heaven. Day hiking is highly recommended but if you can take the time to overnight in one of the huts you'll be treated to a starry night worthy of any painting. Bring your camera, this is scenery +++.
Written May 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gypsyrozbud
Powell River, Canada37 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
We started in Lund and hiked up to Manzanita Bluffs where there is a delightful little shelter/cabin/picnic area. This is not for the faint hearted as it is an uphill climb the whole way...but worth it for the spectacular views across the Salish Sea taking in The northern Gulf Islands and the Comox Glacier on Vancouver Island.
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello, we're thinking of hiking the 5 km trail up to the tin hat hut. Wondering if anyone know if the trail i well marked and easy to follow in wintertime? Thank you!
Jean-Pierre B
Canmore, Canada5 contributions
What is the distance in km between Riveley's hut to shingle Mill. Thank you to all your posting