Tofino City Guide
Tofino Hikes: Every Trail, Numbered To One Map
Tofino hikes fall into two groups: ten named trails within reach of the village, nine inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's Long Beach Unit, from a 500 m boardwalk loop to a 25 km paved path, plus the village's own short Tonquin Trail. This page lists every one with its official length and surface, numbered to a single map. The two best-known loops have their own page at the Rainforest Trail, and Meares Island's Big Tree Trail is a boat-only old-growth walk covered on its own page since it needs a water taxi rather than a trailhead. The park pass that covers most of these trails is explained on the Pacific Rim park pass page, and the rest of the trip starts on our Tofino guide.
Quick answer How many trails, the shortest and longest, what they cost
Nine named trails sit inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's Long Beach Unit, ranging from Radar Hill Trail at 500 m one way to ʔapsčiik t̓ašii, the paved path to Ucluelet, at 25 km one way. All are free to walk, though the park's US$8.69 (C$12.25) day pass covers the vehicle at every trailhead. In the village itself, the short Tonquin Trail reaches Tonquin Beach and needs no pass at all.
Key takeaways
- For the shortest, most accessible loops, the Rainforest Trail is two separate 1 km boardwalks either side of the highway
- For old-growth cedar reached only by water, Meares Island's Big Tree Trail is a separate trip by water taxi, about US$28.39 (C$40) per adult
- The park pass that covers parking at every trailhead below is broken down on the Pacific Rim park pass page
Every Named Trail, Grouped And Numbered To The Map
Lengths and surfaces below are Parks Canada's own figures from its hiking page, except the Tonquin Trail, which is not a Parks Canada trail and has no officially metered length. Use the filters to sort by length or find the shortest option for the time you have.
Short Boardwalk Loops
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Rainforest Trail A
Boardwalk loop Free20-30 min
A 1 km loop on wooden boardwalk with gravel sections, through old-growth sitka spruce and cedar, fewer stairs than Trail B.
Tip: Its own small lot fills on clear summer afternoons; Parks Canada publishes no capacity figure.
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Rainforest Trail B
Boardwalk loop Free20-30 min
A 1 km loop across the highway from Trail A, more stairs and elevation change, boardwalk with gravel sections.
Tip: Cross the highway at the marked pullout between the two lots rather than jaywalk mid-block.
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Shorepine Bog Trail
Boardwalk loop Free20 min
An 800 m boardwalk loop with bumpers and narrow board gaps, through a stunted shore pine bog, a distinct habitat from the taller forest elsewhere in the park.
Tip: The board gaps, 0.5 to 1 inch, catch narrow shoe heels and stroller wheels; wear flat soles.
Beach Access Trails
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Combers Beach Trail
Beach access Free15 min
500 m one way (1 km return) from its own small lot, gravel then wooden boardwalk with 2.5 cm board gaps, to the northern stretch of Long Beach.
Tip: Quieter than the main Long Beach lot, simply because fewer visitors know it exists.
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South Beach Trail
Beach access Free20 min
800 m one way (1.6 km return) from near the Kwisitis Visitor Centre, on a mix of asphalt, gravel and boardwalk, down to a rocky beach different in character from the sand further north.
Tip: Pair it with the visitor centre, since both start from the same parking area.
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Willowbrae Trail
Beach access Free25 min
1.4 km one way (2.8 km return), a gravel path connecting into the Halfmoon Bay Trail down to Florencia Bay.
Tip: It shares a trailhead with Halfmoon Bay Trail; the two together give the longest beach-access walk in this group.
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Halfmoon Bay Trail
Beach access Free30 min
1.8 km one way (3.6 km return), including the Willowbrae Trail, on wooden boardwalk with numerous steps and long staircases down to Florencia Bay.
Tip: The staircases are steep; this is not the easy-access option in this list.
Forest And Viewpoint Trails
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Nuu-chah-nulth Trail
Forest trail Free45-60 min
2.5 km one way (5 km return) on a mix of boardwalk, packed soil, gravel and asphalt, longer and rougher underfoot than either Rainforest Trail loop.
Tip: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes matter here more than on the boardwalk-only loops.
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Radar Hill Trail
Viewpoint Free15-20 min
500 m one way (1 km return), paved with a very steep incline, up to observation decks with ramp access and a view over the forest.
Tip: The incline is the steepest on this list even though the distance is short; pace it slowly.
The Long Path And The Village Trail
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ʔapsčiik t̓ašii
Paved multi-use path FreeHalf day or more
25 km one way (50 km there and back), paved along its entirety, 3.2 m wide with 1 m shoulders, wheelchair and stroller accessible, built with the Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations and finished in summer 2024.
Tip: It is the only trail here built as much for cycling as walking; see bike rental in Tofino for wheels.
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Tonquin Trail
Village trail Free10-15 min
A short walk from downtown Tofino ending in a staircase down to Tonquin Beach. Outside the national park, so no pass applies.
Tip: No official metered length is published for this trail; treat published estimates as approximate, not surveyed.
Numbers match the list — tap a pin for the guide.
Coordinates approximate, from Parks Canada trailhead listings and OpenStreetMap. Ten of eleven trails are inside the national park and free with the day pass covering the car; the Tonquin Trail is outside the park and needs no pass at all.
The One Guided Hike Worth Booking
Almost every Tofino tour leaves by boat. This is the one card that rides and hikes on park trails, ending with a walk to Penniger Point.
from $106.00
Tofino: Bike & Hike Coastal Adventure
A 3-hour trip that starts with a beach-cruiser bike ride along Tofino's surf beaches, then swaps to a hike out to Penniger Point for Pacific views. Jeans are not allowed and it is not suitable for children under 5 or anyone who cannot ride a bike.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. Dollar figures are the listed prices. The platform bills in your account's currency.
All Ten Trails By Length, Shortest To Longest
The same trails above, sorted from shortest to longest one-way distance, using Parks Canada's own stated figures where the trail sits inside the park.
| Trail | One way | Surface | Where it ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radar Hill Trail | 500 m | Paved, steep | Viewpoint deck |
| Combers Beach Trail | 500 m | Gravel then boardwalk | Long Beach, north end |
| Tonquin Trail | Not officially stated, roughly 10-15 min walk | Path and staircase | Tonquin Beach |
| South Beach Trail | 800 m | Asphalt, gravel, boardwalk | A rocky beach |
| Shorepine Bog Trail (loop) | 800 m total loop | Boardwalk | Returns to start |
| Rainforest Trail A (loop) | 1 km total loop | Boardwalk, gravel | Returns to start |
| Rainforest Trail B (loop) | 1 km total loop | Boardwalk, gravel | Returns to start |
| Willowbrae Trail | 1.4 km | Gravel path | Connects to Halfmoon Bay Trail |
| Halfmoon Bay Trail | 1.8 km, including Willowbrae | Boardwalk, stairs | Florencia Bay |
| Nuu-chah-nulth Trail | 2.5 km | Boardwalk, soil, gravel, asphalt | Rejoins the highway corridor |
| ʔapsčiik t̓ašii | 25 km | Paved | Ucluelet |
Figures current for in Q3 2026, from Parks Canada's hiking page, except the Tonquin Trail, which has no official metered figure.
Picking A Trail For The Time You Have
The honest way to choose is by time, not by name recognition. This is our own routing, not an official time estimate.
- Under 30 minutes: one Rainforest Trail loop, or the Shorepine Bog Trail for a different habitat
- 30 to 60 minutes: the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail, or both Rainforest loops back to back
- A half day: Willowbrae and Halfmoon Bay Trails together down to Florencia Bay, or a stretch of ʔapsčiik t̓ašii on a rented bike
- A full day: ʔapsčiik t̓ašii end to end, 25 km one way, realistically a cycling day rather than a walk for most visitors
If rain is heavy rather than light, boardwalk trails handle it far better than the gravel and packed-soil sections of the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail or Willowbrae Trail, which can pool water. On a genuinely stormy day, Kwisitis Visitor Centre is the indoor fallback.
Wildlife And Trail Safety
Black bears, wolves and cougars are all present across the Long Beach Unit's trail network, per Parks Canada's own hiking page, which does not publish specific encounter statistics and refers hikers to its general wildlife safety guidance instead. Standard practice applies on every trail here: hike with others where possible, make noise on blind corners and dense sections, keep food secured, and never approach wildlife. None of these trails involve water crossings without a bridge or boardwalk, but the beach-access trails end on unsupervised sand, since no beach in the area has had lifeguards since 2012.
Bring layers regardless of the forecast; the forest canopy holds in damp and cool air even on a warm day in town.
Source: Parks Canada, hiking.
The Path Between Tofino and Ucluelet
ʔapsčiik t̓ašii
ʔapsčiik t̓ašii is a 25 km paved multi-use path running through Pacific Rim National Park between Tofino and Ucluelet. It was built in partnership with the Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations, and the final segment into Ucluelet was completed in summer 2024. Walkers and cyclists share the route, and it keeps you off the Highway 4 shoulder for the trip between the two towns.
Riding a bike rental is the practical way to cover more of the 25 km than an out-and-back walk allows.
Which of These Trails Allow Dogs
Dog rules on this page are not uniform. Pacific Rim National Park requires dogs on a leash at all times everywhere in the park, and several named trails and beaches inside it bar dogs completely. The Tonquin Trail sits inside District of Tofino boundaries, so it follows District rules instead of the park list below. Here is where your dog can go.
Trail by trail
The District of Tofino requires leashed dogs on all town beaches, including Tonquin, to protect resting shorebirds. There is no off-leash area in Tofino or in the park. See our full guide to Tofino with dogs for beaches, patios and pet-friendly stays.
| Trail | Dogs |
|---|---|
| Rainforest Trail A and B | Leashed dogs permitted |
| Tonquin Trail | District of Tofino trail, not park-governed. Leash required under District rules for town beaches and trails |
| Shorepine Bog Trail | Not permitted |
| Willowbrae Trail | Not permitted |
| Halfmoon Bay Trail | Not permitted |
| Nuu-chah-nulth Trail | Not permitted |
| South Beach Trail | Not permitted |
| Combers Beach Trail | Not permitted seasonally, April 1 to October 1 |
| Radar Hill Trail | Leashed dogs permitted |
| ʔapsčiik t̓ašii | No dog rule specific to this path is stated in our sources; follow leash rules for any section that crosses park land. |
The One Hike You Reach By Water, Not By Trailhead
Meares Island's Big Tree Trail is not on the list above because it needs a water taxi rather than a parking lot, and it sits in Wah-nuh-jus-Hilthoois Tribal Park, land the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation declared a Tribal Park in 1984, not a Parks Canada or BC Parks trail. The boardwalk runs through old-growth red cedar, some of the largest trees on Vancouver Island, and a suggested trail donation supports the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians. Because it is reached differently and managed differently from every trail above, it has its own page rather than a slot in this list.
Full detail, including the water taxi fares, is on Meares Island.
Plan The Rest Of The Day Around A Trail
Three pages that pair naturally with a hiking day.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The park these trails sit inside, and what else the day pass covers.
Long Beach
Where the beach-access trails end, and the park's main sand.
Kwisitis Visitor Centre
The rain-day fallback near South Beach Trail.
Tofino Hikes Questions
What is the best hike near Tofino?
This site does not rank trails, since the right one depends on time and terrain preference. For a short, easy loop, the Rainforest Trail is the most walked; for distance, ʔapsčiik t̓ašii covers 25 km. Picking a trail for the time you have works through the options.
Are there hiking trails you don't need a car for in Tofino?
Yes, one: the Tonquin Trail starts in the village and ends at Tonquin Beach, no drive or park pass needed. Every other trail on this page is inside the national park and needs a vehicle and a day pass.
Do I need a park pass to hike near Tofino?
For any trail inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's Long Beach Unit, yes, the standard US$8.69 (C$12.25) day pass covers the vehicle. The Tonquin Trail in the village is the one exception, free and outside the park.
Which Tofino trail is easiest for kids or strollers?
Rainforest Trail A is the most boardwalk-heavy with the fewest stairs, at a 1 km loop. Parks Canada does not state formal stroller accessibility for it, so treat it as manageable rather than certified. See Trail A and Trail B.
How many hiking trails are near Tofino?
Ten named trails within reach of Tofino: nine inside the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park, from 500 m to 25 km, plus the village's own Tonquin Trail. See every named trail.
Can I bike the trails between Tofino and Ucluelet?
Yes, on the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii path, a 25 km paved multi-use route through the national park that connects the two towns. It was completed in summer 2024 and is shared by walkers and cyclists. Gravel and boardwalk hiking trails such as the Rainforest Trail loops are walking routes, so keep your riding to the path. A bike rental in Tofino is the easiest way to do it.
Which Tofino hikes allow dogs?
Inside Pacific Rim National Park, leashed dogs are permitted on Rainforest Trail A and B, Radar Hill Trail, Long Beach north of Green Point Rocks, and at Grice Bay. Dogs are not permitted on the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail, Willowbrae Trail, Halfmoon Bay Trail, Shorepine Bog Trail, South Beach Trail, and Combers Beach from April 1 to October 1. Leashes are required at all times. Full details in our Tofino with dogs guide.
Do I need the park pass for every trail on this page?
No. The park day pass applies to trails inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, such as the Rainforest Trail loops, the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail and Radar Hill. The Tonquin Trail sits within District of Tofino boundaries under District rules, not the park pass system, and no park-pass requirement is stated for the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii path in our sources. An adult day pass costs US$8.69 (C$12.25) and covers the Long Beach Unit trails for the day.
Tofino Hikes On Film
Three videos surveying multiple trails on this list.
7 Top Hikes near Tofino and Ucluelet, BC
A rundown of several trails in and around the Long Beach Unit.
Video: Image Itinerary Travel Inspo6 Day Hikes on Vancouver Island
A wider survey of Vancouver Island trails including several near Tofino.
Video: A Bit SaltyRainforest Trail - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Parks Canada's own footage of the shortest and most walked trail on this list.
Video: Parks CanadaPrices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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