Hiking

Blowhole Trail

Another, shorter trail, the Blowhole Trail, intersects with the Tow Hill hike about halfway up. This path leads to a pebble beach, where ocean waves smash against rocks and spray upwards. A part of the rock resembles a blowhole and when the wave hits it right, a tall spout of water shoots up. Sections of this trail include wooden boardwalks, which can be slippery when wet.

Golden Spruce Trail

A little farther south, near Port Clements, 5km/3.1mi along the logging road to Rennell Sound on the west side of town is the famous Golden Spruce Trail. This short 20-minute round-trip hike leads to a viewpoint across the Yaikoun River from the Golden Spruce, a unique spruce tree well known for the golden colour of its needles. A disgruntled logger cut down the tree in protest a few years back and though the tree now lies on its side on the riverbank, it's still golden and remains a tourist attraction. The entrance to the trail is well-marked.

Pesuta Shipwreck Trail

Another popular hike, the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail, begins at the Tlell River, just off Highway 16. This trail takes about six hours to complete round-trip and located within Naikoon Provincial Park. The first part of this trail passes through old-growth forest while the last section is along the beach. Impressive sights include piles of notched driftwood, treasures washed in from sea, sand dunes and finally, the actual skeleton of the Pesuta, a log barge that ran aground in 1948.

Moresby Island

On Moresby Island, an easy hike for the family with a potentially large pay off is the looped trail to Onward Point. Park in the lot located halfway between Alliford Bay Ferry Terminal and Sandspit, on Moresby Island. Enjoy a forest trek then relax for a while at the gazebo, which overlooks the ocean. This is a popular whale watching spot. Total walking time should only be about 20 minutes.

Practical Points

• The best time for hiking is mid-May to mid-September, when rain is less frequent and the temperature is warmer. Always be prepared for rain, however. Haida Gwaii's fabulous hiking scenery and views are partly due to the area's high precipitation.
• Most of the hiking on the Haida Gwaii is moderate and stable running shoes are usually sufficient, except for longer treks. The more difficult trails are due to their length.
• A variety of more rugged, lesser known trails crisscross the west side of the island but no maps of this area are available. Befriend a local who knows the area to see these rarely visited sections of Haida Gwaii, reached only by the back roads.
• For those interested in joining a group, the islands' hiking club, the Sierra Club, meets at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre during the summers.

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