Thru-Hiking The Sunshine Coast Trail in Beautiful BC
Nestled on the southwest coast of British Columbia’s mainland lies one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: The Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT).
This 180-kilometre backcountry trail takes hikers on a unique adventure through some of the most remote regions of the Sunshine Coast. Hikers can expect to traverse old-growth forests, climb rugged mountains and follow trails alongside lakes and coastal shorelines. Taking on the SCT is an experience that promises both challenges and unique opportunities to connect with nature in its purest form.
Having recently thru-hiked this trail with my dad over the span of 10 days, I can attest to its beauty and difficulty. I am excited to share the ins and outs of planning your own journey.
Why Hike the Sunshine Coast Trail?
The Sunshine Coast Trail is Canada’s longest and only free hut-to-hut hiking trail, offering a unique opportunity to rest and connect with fellow hikers at some of the most scenic locations along the trail.
The Sunshine Coast Trail offers more than just its huts; it’s perfect for those seeking solitude away from the crowded trails near Vancouver. You’ll be treated to expansive views of the Sunshine Coast from remote mountaintops and have the opportunity to swim in several lakes throughout your journey—most of which you will be able to enjoy completely alone.
When to Hike the Sunshine Coast Trail
The best time to hike the Sunshine Coast Trail is between late May and early October. Each season offers its own unique challenges and advantages.
Summer provides the driest weather, though the heat can be exhausting, and many streams may run dry, especially in August. Though the SCT is quiet compared to other popular trails, peak summer brings more foot traffic. We hiked over the most popular section of trail over the Canada Day long weekend and shared several huts with nearly 15 other hikers. We also shared the huts with swarms of black flies and mosquitos, so make sure to pack bug repellent.
Spring offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, but starting too early might mean encountering snow at higher elevations and more rain.
Fall is a rewarding time to hike, with cooler temperatures, beautiful foliage and fewer hikers. However, you might face dry streams early in the fall and rain later in the season. Snow is generally not an issue unless you hike very late in the fall.
Getting to the Sunshine Coast Trail
The Sunshine Coast Trail begins at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ends at Saltery Bay. To reach the Sunshine Coast, you can either take two ferries from Vancouver or opt for a quick 25-minute plane ride to Powell River.
If you choose the ferry route, start at Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay and take a ferry to Langdale. From there, enjoy a scenic drive along the coast, followed by a second ferry from Earl’s Cove to Saltery Bay.
Unless you have your own 4×4 with high clearance, you’ll need to arrange transportation to the trail’s starting point at Sarah Point. The Sunshine Coast Trail Shuttle is the only shuttle service that provides transportation to the trailhead, pick-up from your designated endpoint and optional food drops along the trail. Alternatively, you can take a water taxi to Sarah Point.
Accommodations
Built solely by volunteers, the Sunshine Coast Trail features basic huts maintained by the qathet Parks and Wilderness Society (qPAWS). These huts, either open or enclosed, include a covered picnic table inside, additional tables outside and an upstairs area that comfortably sleeps eight people. Each hut is equipped with composting toilets, bear lockers and the occasional pellet stoves.
Hikers should bring their own sleeping gear as the huts don’t provide beds. Since huts are first-come, first-served, it’s a good idea to bring a tent in case the huts fill up. There are usually tent pads or enough space outside the huts for camping.
We found that staying in a mix of huts and camping provided the best experience. We opted for the huts on rainy days and camped whenever possible. Laying in our tents and being lulled to sleep by the river outside Golden Stanley was one of the highlights of our trip.
Food & Resupply Options
For our 10-day hike, we stocked up on food from a local grocery store in Powell River. Our supplies included oatmeal and coffee for breakfast; tortillas, peanut butter packs, pepperettes, trail mix, dried apricots and chocolate for lunch; and dehydrated meals for dinner. We also brought fresh items like avocados, carrots, and cherry tomatoes for the first few days. If you want to minimize your pack weight, consider sticking to dried foods and avoiding fresh items.
For last-minute camping/hiking items, visit Powell River Outdoors. This outdoor store is located in the heart of Powell River and has everything you need, from maps to fuel canisters.
We arranged a food resupply with the Sunshine Coast Trail Shuttle approximately halfway along the trail at Fiddlehead Landing, which cost us $300. While pricey, it was a worthwhile service for replenishing supplies mid-trail. Prices for other resupply spots vary depending on the distance and location. Unless you are an ultralight hiker and have your food system dialed in, I highly recommend scheduling one or two food drops in order to lighten your load.
If you don’t want to pay for a food drop, the two easiest resupply points are the Shingle Mill Pub (kilometre 50) and the general store in Lang Bay, 2.5 kilometers off the Dixon Road Crossing (kilometre 135). Both the pub and the general store will hold your resupply bags free of charge. The pub is also the perfect spot for indulging in a greasy burger and several cups of hot coffee. It was hard for dad and I to drag ourselves out of the pub after enjoying a well-deserved meal!
Booking and Permits
No permits are required to hike the SCT, and the huts operate on a first-come, first-served basis. However, it’s a good idea to register your trip with the local Visitor Centre in Powell River for safety reasons. Donations to the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society (PRPAWS), the organization that maintains the trail, are highly encouraged.
Cost of the Adventure
Compared to other hut-to-hut hikes across the globe, the SCT is relatively affordable. Here’s a breakdown of the costs my dad and I incurred during our 10-day thru-hike:
- Roundtrip from Vancouver to Powell River: $300
- Motel in Powell River (before and after the hike): $146/night
- Accommodations: $50 (Haywire Bay)
- Shuttle from Powell River to Sarah Point: around $50 CAD per person.
- Groceries: $50-60 per person
- Food drop: $300 (not necessary and can also be done cheaper depending on the location of the food drop)
It is possible to do this trail much cheaper depending on your financial savviness and willingness to “rough it.”
What to Pack
It’s true that you don’t need expensive gear for backpacking; however, cheaper gear usually comes at the cost of weight. Investing in lightweight gear can significantly enhance your hiking experience, allowing you to move faster and hike longer. It’s important to ask yourself what you’re willing to go without. I personally hiked with minimal clothing, no pillow and a handful of ultralight items that greatly decreased the overall weight of my pack.
Here’s what I carried:
Big Items
- Pack
- Pack liner
- Rain cover
- Tent & footprint
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Trekking poles
Clothes (worn)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- socks
- Underwear
- Buff
- Shirt
- Shorts
- Trail runners (or boots)
Clothes (packed)
- Sleeping top & bottoms (thin thermals)
- Extra socks (1-2 pairs)
- Extra underwear (2-3 pairs)
- Rain jacket
- Hiking pants/leggings (optional)
- Extra shorts (optional)
- Extra shirt
- Light sweater/mid-layer
Cook & Water System
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pot
- Spork
- 2x 2L Smartwater bottles
- Water filter
Hygiene
- Ibuprofen/medications
- Sunscreen
- Toothpaste & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Baby wipes and/or toilet paper
- First aid (bandaids, blister stuff, etc.)
Electronics
- Headlamp
- Phone & charger
- Sport watch & charger
- Power bank
- SOS device (ie. Garmin inReach mini)
The Journey: Start to Finish
While there are several Sunshine Coast Trail itineraries that cater to different paces, most thru-hikers opt for a 10-day hike. While the trail can be hiked in either direction, most people travel from north to south, as the trail markers go in this direction. Starting at Sarah Point, which is harder to access, allows you to finish at Saltery Bay and easily walk onto the ferry without coordinating transportation.
Here’s our 10-day itinerary:
Sarah Point to Manzanita Hut (Day 1): 16 km
Manzanita Hut is the third hut on the Sunshine Coast Trail from Desolation Sound. Located on Manzanita Bluffs along the Gwendoline Hills trail section, it offers panoramic views of the Copeland Islands, Savary Island and the Salish Sea. The hut has a partially open main floor with two walls to protect against ocean winds and a sleeping loft upstairs. It’s surrounded by manzanita bushes, arbutus trees and old-growth Douglas firs, making it a great spot for eagle watching.
Manzanita Hut to Sliammon Lake (Day 2): 24 km
Kokanee Campsite, located at Sliammon Lake, offers a spacious, wooded site with lake access and a small creek. We enjoyed a refreshing swim, dried our clothes on the rocks and had the campsite to ourselves. It’s also a great spot to enjoy a campfire in the solitude of the forest. The site includes an outhouse and picnic tables, but no bear cache.
Sliammon Lake to Haywire Bay (Day 3): 19km
Just a few kilometres past the camp spot at Tony’s Point is the Haywire Bay Campground. Though it isn’t free, it is a great spot to stay if you’re hoping to add a few extra kilometres to your day. There is one enclosed cabin for $50 or you can opt to camp for a few dollars. The park wardens are incredibly kind and love meeting hikers.
Haywire Bay to Confederation Lake (Day 4): 20 km
Confederation Lake Hut is a fully enclosed shelter with a pellet stove, situated at the edge of an ancient fir forest. The hut overlooks a fish-bearing lake, perfect for swimming. The climb to reach the hut is steep and challenging, but the trail through stunning old-growth patches makes it worthwhile.
Confederation Lake to Tin Hat (Day 5): 16.7 km
Tin Hat Hut, the halfway point of the Sunshine Coast Trail, offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the qathet backcountry. This fully winterized cabin sits atop Tin Hat Mountain. Named for the tin hats worn by pioneering loggers in the area, the mountain once housed a fire lookout station due to its views of the 32 surrounding lakes and forested areas.
Tin Hat to Elk Lake (Day 6): 24 km
Elk Lake Hut is nestled amongst the trees and at the edge of Elk Lake. The lake offers a dock, perfect for swimming in the summer months. Elk Lake is rather remote and is a challenge to reach compared to other sections of the trail, though its remoteness provides a serene experience that makes the effort worth it.
Elk Lake to Walt Hill (Day 7): 14 km
Walt Hill Hut is my all-time favourite spot along the SCT! It offers breathtaking views of Horseshoe Valley and is surrounded by an old-growth yellow cedar forest. There’s a single tent pad perched on the mountain’s edge, providing unobstructed views of the mountains and lakes below, and is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.
Walt Hill to Golden Stanley (Day 8): 21.5 km
Golden Stanley Hut is perched above Stanley Creek and is another favourite of mine, alongside Walt Hill Hut. The sun filters through the massive trees at day’s end, and the soothing sounds of the forest and creek made for a peaceful night’s sleep in our tents. The porch and steps are covered, perfect for cooking outdoors or enjoying an evening tea with a view.
Golden Stanley to Rainy Day Lake (Day 9): 19.5 km
If you’re wondering where the best swimming is along the SCT, Rainy Day Lake is your answer! Rainy Day Lake Hut sits on Hailstone Bluff with views of the lake. Just a short walk down the hill is the lake with its huge dock. Surrounded by mountains, the place makes you feel like you’re swimming in a postcard.
Rainy Day Lake to Saltery Bay (Day 10): 10 km
There are two routes from Rainy Day Lake to Saltery Bay. We opted for the ocean route, which led us past Fairview Hut while on our way to Saltery Bay. It’s a beautiful hike that is different compared to all other days: We could smell the ocean air as we approached the water, saw whales just off the shore, and felt the ocean breeze up until our final destination.
The Hike of a Lifetime
Hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail with my dad was an unforgettable experience. The trail tested our endurance with its steep ascents and descents, pushing us physically but rewarding us with breathtaking views and memories we will hold close for a lifetime. It is my hope that more people can make this incredible journey along the SCT and are able to enjoy some of British Columbia’s best backcountry.
I did this hike with my son (he carried most of the food!) during the pandemic. It was amazing and we met only a few people (9 days in early September-re-stocking in Powell River after day 3). We swam in 5 lakes. Walt Hill tent pad on the cliff edge was our favorite spot, too!!!