The Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Forest Connector Trail Project enhances Bamfield as an ecotourism destination by providing a land connection between East and West Bamfield, currently connected only by boat.
The old growth stroll is a 2.5-kilometre walking route that complements existing attractions including the rugged multi-day West Coast Trail, Indigenous culture and tours including the Kii’xin historic site, ecotourism and marine adventures. This shorter hike is appealing to a wide range of ‘light adventurers’, including those with of varying ages and accessibilities. The new connector trail will also facilitate new access points to Cape Beale, Keeha Beach and Tapaltos Beach trails.
This project builds on previous work that created a network of trails within the 360-hectare forest, including 15 km of flagged trails and, more recently, a 2.8 km trail loop. The main part of the new trail will be in the community forest and will cross Huu-ay-aht First Nation Treaty Settlement lands at the end of the Bamfield Inlet.
Island Coastal Economic Trust approved funding for this project in 2021 through the Capital and Innovation program.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
