March 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Sooke, Hiking
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Recently I took a day trip up Island to join a small group of friends staying at a cabin in Port Renfrew, a small and remote town set amongst stunning west coast scenery. Beaches, crashing waves and thick, lush coastal rainforest surround this tiny community.
We decided to do a hike into Avatar Grove (apparently named for the movie to promote awareness of the area). The ground was moist and muddy -- bring your boots! -- and there were ropes for when the trail became too steep. We passed trickling streams, bizarre fungus and enormous, mossy trees, dwarfing us with their massive trunks. Inside the trees, the air was damp and silent.
On the drive home the sun came out, glittering on ocean waters. We stopped for a break at Jordan River to watch surfers bobbing the waves too.
Avatar Grove is not a well-marked trail but it's short and relatively easy to find the big trees. Make sure to dress for constantly changing (wet!) weather