Hiking & exploring
If you want to stick close to the modern conveniences of Cedars Inn, enjoy walking the nearby Zeballos River and Estuary trails. But if you're after more of a challenge, try an overnighter. We'll help you get to a good starting point.
Nootka Island Trail
The 30-km Nootka Island Trail is a challenging five or six day hike along the wild outer coast of Nootka Island, located in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. This is true wilderness hiking. Backpackers must be self-sufficient because there is no road access or habitation other than the tiny community of Yuquot at the southern end of the Island. But the rewards are plentiful: tidal pools teeming with Anemones, starfish, mussels, fish, and crabs; amazing sunrises and sunsets; caves, rock formations, waterfalls, and historic sites of the Muchalaht people.
Your wilderness hiking adventure starts in the scenic village of Zeballos where your group will board the Zeballos Expeditions water taxi. It's up to you where you start: Choose either the south trailhead at Friendly Cove (Yuquot) where the Spanish and English traded with First Nations in 1778, or the northern trailhead at Louie Bay.
Either trailhead is about a 1.5-hour boat ride from Zeballos. The trail follows the southwestern shore of Nootka Island so tide tables are essential to cross along the beaches.
Because of the remoteness of Nootka Island and the wildness of the Nootka Island Trail, we strongly recommend you carry a VHF radio; the radio can also help you co-ordinate pickups with Zeballos Expeditions.
Kayak and hike Nootka Sound and Island
Start from Zeballos on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., (Little Espinosa put-in) where you will kayak out Esperanza Inlet, through Nuchatlitz Park to the Nootka Island trailhead at Louie Bay. There the Zeballos Expeditions' water taxi will pick up your kayaks, drop off your back packs, and re-supply your stores, as needed.
From here, you'll hike the Nootka Island Trail to historic Yuquot (Friendly Cove), where you can return by boat to Zeballos.
More experienced paddlers may want to start at Fair Harbour and paddle around Rugged Point, past Catala Island, and then over to Louie Bay.
Contact us for more information or for help planning your Nootka Sound hiking-kayaking expedition.
Rugged Mountain
You can do the Rugged Mountain trek in a day or camp overnight and make an expedition of it.
From Zeballos, B.C., drive to the Nomash Valley, about seven kilometers away. The hike takes about eight hours and requires a good level of fitness but is not challenging technically.
The Rugged Mountain hike gives you great views of Woss Lake, and Tahsis and Zeballos Inlets from the ice field.
The first hour and half of the walk is along a logging road. The next hour and a half is through sub-alpine forests. The last leg takes you across small snowfields and up a steep boulder slope to the glacier.
This area is popular with black bears, so bring your bear spray.
There is ample water en route; one liter per person should be enough.
Because the weather is always unpredictable, even on a day trip, be sure to bring warm, waterproof clothing and other survival gear.
Please contact Zeballos Expeditions for more information or to combine your ice field hike with a kayaking trip or sport fishing charter.
History and old-growth forests
This hike follows the Tahsish River on the northeast head of Kyuquot Sound. Don't confuse the Tahsish River with Tahsis River, which is at the head of Nootka Sound. The two words sound the same because they have a common root word in Nuu-chah-nulth meaning "door." And both are at the start of old grease trails that crossed Vancouver Island so that West Coast First Nations could trade for oolichan oil with neighboring East Coast Nations.
Spectacular old-growth forest with giant Sitka spruce and hemlock line the river. This is one of the few remaining unlogged watersheds on Vancouver Island. The forest is home to huge Roosevelt Elk, and the river has cutthroat trout, steelhead, and numerous salmon runs.
There is no formal trail yet, but hikers can easily walk upstream to the Kwois-Tahsish junction by following game trails and some cleared paths.
Access to this wilderness hiking experience is by water only. Take the road past Zeballos, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, to Fair Harbour (72 km from Hwy 19 junction), and either hire a water taxi (Zeballos Expeditions water taxi) or kayak / boat over to the head of the Tahsish River. There is no wharf, and Tahsish is too exposed for safe anchorage, so you will need to pull your boat out when you get there. Please contact us for more information.
Don't miss our fabulous tour packages
Sea Otter Watching Tour
Fall Bear Watching
First Nations culture
and enjoy
Fishing and Kayaking
Zeballos Expeditions - Tourism BC inspected and approved accommodation!
203 Pandora Ave
Zeballos, British Columbia
V0P 2A0
Owners: Cristina Lepore and Daniel O'Connor
250-761-4044 Phone
250-761-4074 Fax
866-222-2235 Toll-free
info@zeballosexpeditions.com
