Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop – Canada’s Wild Pacific Trail

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Ucluelet is one of my favorite places in the world. That’s a bold statement you might say, but there’s something special about this relatively unknown British Columbia getaway. Visitors to Vancouver and Vancouver Island often get told that they must visit Whistler, the Sunshine Coast, Victoria or Tofino. But rarely does Ucluelet come up. And it is in no way because it’s not worth visiting. Tofino, Ucluelet’s more touristy neighbor gets all the hype. It is a beautiful town, don’t get me wrong, but the charm and raw natural vibe of Ucluelet soars above in comparison. At least in my opinion. One of my favorite hikes/walks in the Pacific Rim National Park region is the Wild Pacific Trail Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop. And if you don’t visit for any other reason, it should be this.

Where is Ucluelet?

Ucluelet is on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. If you take the ferry from the mainland out of Vancouver, you should be heading to Nanaimo from Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. To get to Ucluelet and Tofino, part of the West Coast’s Pacific Rim National Park, Nanaimo is the better destination than Victoria. From there it’s a straight shot on the main highway over to Ucluelet and Tofino. The distance is a healthy 3 hour drive on top of the 90 minute ferry ride from an already out of downtown Vancouver ferry terminal. That means this can be a long day. That also means that this isn’t really a viable option for a regular weekend and you need at least a third day to make it worth the trek. Longer is heavily recommended though.

What is there to do in Ucluelet

I’m not going to lie, Ucluelet is a small town. And while Tofino is a popular tourist destination filled with galleries, craft shops and fancy eateries, Ucluelet is a little quieter. Which is my big reason for staying in Ucluelet. That and it is a lot cheaper than nearby Tofino and more laid back. No hustle or bustle, idyllic ocean front cabins and eco lodges, and sunsets that would make any cynic weep with delight. There are nice cafes, remote beaches with incredible sunsets, and sports rental shops for surfing and fishing. Read more about how to spend time in this area. But for the purpose of this post I’m going to focus on the amazing Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop trail.

Getting to Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop

The Lighthouse Loop is right at the end of the town of Ucluelet. Going through the town, carry on driving along Peninsula Road and you’ll see signs for the Wild Pacific Trail. Turn off onto Coast Guard Drive and you will reach the parking lot after a few minutes. If, like me, you are staying in Ucluelet because it’s awesome, then you can also take a healthy walk from the main part of the town. I walked from the cabin where I was staying. And although it did take me about half an hour, it was a pleasant walk. Part of it is along a main road with no sidewalk but the traffic is not heavy. In fact there’s not much this far out except the trail itself and a smattering of remote guest houses with incredible ocean views.

Walking Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop

Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop is a relatively easy, short, family friendly trail. The path from the parking lot is easily marked and you cannot get lost on the trail. Well, maybe lost in your thoughts with such proximity to the calming rolling ocean waves. But for planning purposes here are the details on this hike:

• Length – 2.6km
• Elevation – 56m
• Trail type – loop
• Time needed – 30-60 minutes

Since this is a popular loop, with next to no hiking skills required, it is often busy, especially in the summer. So earlier in the day or in the evening might be best. The last time I walked this trail, at 8am in August, I saw only 3 other people. The trail hugs the coast line all around Amphitrite Point with the ocean disappearing miles into the distance. The trail has some benches set away from the main path. The perfect place to sit and watch the waves roll in or out and crash upon the rocks of the shoreline. Keep an eye out on the rocks for animals. I saw deer out there, and in the past I’ve also seen grey whales and humpback whales just off the coast.  This was after an uneventful whale watching trip so I’m going to say this made up for it.

Amphitrite Lighthouse

As the name suggests, Lighthouse Loop is home to its own working lighthouse. You’ll find it along the rocky point of the trail, warning passing ships of the dangerous ground beneath the crushing waves. The ocean here has claimed many lives in the past. But a Christmas day tragedy in 1905 of the Pass of Melfort was the reason behind the initial construction of a lighthouse. All 36 people aboard died when the ship ran into a storm at Ucluelet. The wooden lighthouse was replaced by the current red and white structure, in place since 1915. The lighthouse is not like a lot of tall, slender lighthouses. Instead it is rather short and fat but no less alluring or effective. The lighthouse is at Amphitrite Point, named after a former British Royal Navy ship, which was in turn named after the goddess of the sea and Poseidon’s wife, Amphitrite.

Wildlife around Ucluelet

I already mentioned the deer and the whales, and believe me when I see the deer are everywhere. But Ucluelet has a lot more wildlife than that. If you’re really lucky you’ll be able to see more on your trip or even on this trail. If you’re out early in the morning or later in the evening, make a bit of noise when walking the trail as there are sometimes bears in the area. The last thing you want to do is surprise them. I’ve walked the trail a number of times and never seen any, but signs will tell you it’s a possibility. Wolves and cougars also live on Vancouver Island and around the Ucluelet area. But on my last trip the most magical wildlife experience was seeing a pod of Orcas swimming and playing at Terrace Beach which runs adjacent to part of the trail.

Handy Tips for visiting the Lighthouse Loop trail

The Wild Pacific Trail certainly won’t take all day, but it’s a beautiful trail and a great way to really enjoy what Ucluelet offers best. Unspoiled and unparalleled scenic ocean views within a remote Canadian island town. You’ll love the Lighthouse Loop walk, but here are some tips to make your visit even better:

Plan ahead – summers can be busy, but book your Ucluelet getaway early and you won’t be disappointed. October through March is famous for being storm watching season and is a sight to see. This is an epic time to watch the waves lashing against the rocks at Amphitrite Point.

Take a tour – The Wild Pacific Trail Society, a volunteer run organization, leads interpretive walks about local fauna and flora found along the trails. Find out about bears, trees or even shipwrecks as you enjoy the views. The walks are free to join but check the Wild Pacific Trail website in advance for the schedule and other information.

Bring a camera – it doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, cloudy or raining. Morning, noon or evening you will want to record some of the beauty of this trail. I recommend a trip here for sunset one evening if you’re staying a few days in the area. Make sure you have a good camera and I always carry my lightweight travel tripod for taking the perfect shots.

Dress for the weather – just because you visit in July doesn’t mean it will be sunny. This region of Vancouver Island, exposed to the Pacific Ocean, can be cooler and wetter than you might expect. Which is why it’s so beautiful and green! But that means you’ll always want to pack a layer or two, including a rain jacket.

Why Visit Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is so close to Vancouver, accessible by ferry or seaplane, but is a world of difference from the bigger city on the mainland. Visitors to Vancouver Island will often not go further than the provincial capital of Victoria. But even the quaint, British inspired city is no match for the rugged charm of Ucluelet and Tofino in my opinion. Who knew that Canada had such a prolific surfing destination? And a temperate rainforest with incredible old growth trees. Add in the wildlife possibilities, endless eco lodges and wrap it up with a small town feel, and that’s what makes this area so unique. And well worthy of a trip from Vancouver. Just make sure to visit the Lighthouse Loop trail.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited Ucluelet or other places on Vancouver Island? What makes you want to do this trail?