My Recommended Itinerary For Hiking The West Coast Trail

9 Days, 8 Nights (5 nights on trail, 1 at trail head, 2 in Victoria)

When next I do this hike (Summer 2016), this will be the Itinerary I follow, after 3 goes at it I believe I've worked out most of the bugs; then again, it is the West Coast Trail, where SURPRISE is part of the adventure.

• Day 1 - Fly or drive to Victoria, BC (flying will require shuttle service which most hotels will arrange)
• I stay at the Helm's Inn, This place is great and a very short walking distance to the Bus Depot.
• If you get there early enough, it's a short walk to Mountain Equipment Co-op or anything else you may need.
• Day 2 - Catch the bus at 6:15 am from Victoria to Pachena Bay via the West Coast Trail Express or you can drive to Port Refrew and catch the Water Taxi at 6:30 am and then arrange a ride from Bamfield to Pachena, both options have there pros and cons, the bus ride is long and rough but dependable (point A to point B), the water taxi is enjoyable but can be undependable if the weather turns bad, also it requires additional transport. (I suggest booking)
• Once at Pachena join the mandatory orientation and sign on to the trail
• Spend the night at the Pachena Bay Camp Ground (CG)
• Bamfield is a short drive away if you can arrange a ride, with accomidations
• Day 3 - (16.5 kms) Hike from Pachena Bay Trail Head to Tsocowis Creek CG - km 16.5
• Highlights:
• Sea Lion over look - km 9
• Pachena Pt. Lighthouse - km 11
• Darling Falls - km 14
• Day 4 - (13.5 kms) Hike to the Ditidaht Luxury Tents - km 30 (I suggest booking, currently $60 / tent that sleeps 4)
• Highlights:
• Derelict Donkey Engine #1 - km 19
• Derelict Grader - km 19
• First Cable Car @ Klanawa River - km 23
• Tsusiat Falls - km 25
• Tsusiat Pt. "Hole In The Wall" - km 27 (Tides have to be right)
• Day 5 - (18 kms) Hike to Bonilla Creek CG - km 48 (My favorite CG)
• Highlights:
• Nitinat Narrows Ferry - km 32.5
• Fresh crab, fresh salmon c/w huge baked potato, and pop (A great place for lunch)
• Big anchor on the rocks #1 - km 34.5
• Big anchor on the rocks #2 - km 38.5
• Sea Lions  - km 43.5
• Carmanah Pt. Lighthouse - km 44
• Chez Monique's Diner - km 44.5 
• Burgers, hot dogs, pop, you name it, she's seems to have it (A great place for dinner)
• Day 6 - (14.5 kms) Hike to Camper Creek CG - km 62.5
• Highlights:
• Walbran Creek crossing (can be a challenge if it's been raining a lot, ha ha) - km 53
• Logan Creek Suspension Bridge (For those with height issues, this is a rush) - km 56
• Bog Forest Board Walks (Slippery when wet)
• Day 7 - (7.5 kms shore line / 8.5 kms inland) Hike to Thrasher Cove CG - km 70 via shore line / km 71 via inland
• Highlights:
• Inland 
• MUD
• 1 extra km of ladders into camp
• Shoreline  
• Surge Channels
• Owen Point - km 67.5 (Quite challenging, tides most be right)
• Save 1 km of ladders for the next day, which you will have to do either way, just not today :)
• Day 8 - (6 kms) Hike to Gordon River River Access - km 75 (Note: the numbers add up funny because the maps don't account for the extra 1 km of ladders in and out of Thrasher Cove)
• Highlights:
• Toughest part of trail :) - kms 70 - 75
• Highest point on WCT - km 71.25
• Derelict Donkey Engine #2 - km 72
• Ferry from trail head to Trail info Centre along the Gordon River
• Your now officially a hero for finishing one of the toughest trails, congrats
• Sign off the trail, turning in your permit
• Catch bus at 5:00 pm back to Victoria via West Coast Trail Express (I suggest booking)
• Day 9 - Fly or drive home (flying will require shuttle service which most hotels will arrange)

For pictures and further trail info check out my blog: 2013 West coast Trail Solo Hike

To watch my video of the trail check out my YouTube Video