Vancouver Island Trails Information Society

Select a region of Vancouver Island:

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Hiking Trails I
Victoria & Vicinity

Covers the Capital Regional District, including Portland, and Sidney Islands; the Saanich Peninsula; core municipalities; Western Communities; Sooke west to Port Renfrew including the Juan de Fuca Trail.

• Over 100 destinations ranging from neighbourhood walks on pavement to week-long backpacking trips; includes the Gowlland Tod and Juan de Fuca Provincial Parks, and the popular Galloping Goose Trail.
• 176 pages with index, 24 maps.
• Includes Hints & Cautions, historical notes, birding and nature information.

Thirteenth edition, 2007, compiled and edited by Richard K. Blier
ISBN13 978 0-9697667-5-9

$25.00 CAN Click to Purchase

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Hiking Trails II
South-Central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

More than five dozen destinations within the areas of Duncan; the Cowichan Valley; the Ladysmith/Cedar/Yellow Point area; the Nanaimo area and Gabriola Island; the Gulf Islands; and Parksville to Port Alberni and the West Coast, including Gibson/Klitsa Plateau, Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and the West Coast Trail.

• 192 pages, including 36 maps (8 topographical), illustrations, photographs.
• Information on hiking clubs, helpful maps and their sources, useful books, and other sources of information.
• Hints and Cautions, and advice on logging road travel and backcountry hiking.

Eighth edition, 2000, compiled and edited by Richard K. Blier
ISBN 0-9697667-3-4

19.00 CAN Click to Purchase

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Hiking Trails III
Northern Vancouver Island
including Strathcona Park

* new areas: Malcolm Island (Sointula), Nootka Island (Nootka Trail), Beaufort Range (Mount Joan, Mount Curran, Mount Clifton, Mount Chief Frank)

Covers Great Central Lake to Cape Scott, including the trails and routes into and within Strathcona Provincial Park; Clayoquot Sound; Seal Bay and Grant Bay; Raft Cove, Schoen Lake and Cape Scott Provincial Parks; Sayward Forest and Snowden Demonstration Forest; Quadra Island; Campbell River, Sayward, Gold River, Nimpkish, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Holberg and Winter Harbour areas.

• 224 pages; 19 topographical maps; 28 other maps
• 20 photographs; sketches
• Hints and Cautions; wilderness sanitation; wild animals; backcountry practices
• Club addresses; map sources; suggested reading; other sources of information; origins of place-names

Ninth Edition, 2002, revised and expanded by Richard K. Blier
ISBN 0-9697667-4-2

$25.00 CAN Click to Purchase

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Management of outdoor recreation on public land is changing significantly, notably within the organizational structures, roles and capabilities of both BC Parks and the BC Forest Service. For example, by the time each book is printed some offices we mention may be closed; perhaps others may be opened. We are unable to predict these changes.

Some provincial park and forest service management features, including campgrounds, may be privatized or transferred to municipalities and regional districts, but these changes usually will not affect the trails and routes described in these books. A greater reliance on 'no trace' camping practices and 'self maintenance' may be needed, but these have been and should remain reasonable models to follow under any circumstances. Road access, however, may change significantly, particularly when logging is involved. Volunteers and not-for-profit organizations may play a greater role in park and outdoor recreation management. It appears to be policy to close facilities that require servicing, resulting in the removal of outhouses, non-availability of safe water, lack of firewood, etc. Charges may be made for services that previously were publicly funded.

VITIS has confidence in the reliability of information about the hiking trails and backcountry routes presented in these volumes as of publication dates. However, the pace and scope of change makes uncertain the information regarding management agencies, organizational arrangement, the provision of services and maintenance of facilities.

Hikers are encouraged to check with the contacts suggested in the book before venturing where there are uncertainties. Hikers are also encouraged to check our website for changes, and to report to us anything that they observe that might be of interest to other hikers.

Warning - Disclaimer: These guidebooks are intended for use by competent hikers who accept the inherent and sometimes unpredictable risks and hazards associated with outdoor activities such as hiking.  Be sure of your ability to safely hike any of the trails listed before venturing out.  The user assumes all risks. Also read the Hints and Cautions section in each of the books.

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