top of page
Search

Vancouver Island Grand Loop

Updated: Jun 26

The Vancouver Island Grand Loop is a 1,000-mile (1,700 km) scenic soft-roading adventure, perfect for adventurers looking to explore the island’s stunning coastlines, remote beaches, and charming towns. The route takes you through backroads, bypassing many of the major highways to reveal hidden gems and breathtaking views.


All photos courtesy of Colin Beck.


Route Overview


Trip Length & Season

Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 1,007 miles, 6-14 days Season: The best time to visit Vancouver Island is typically late spring to early fall. While the route can be traveled during the wet season, keep in mind that the northwest portion of Vancouver Island experiences 100+ inches of annual rainfall, and up to 200 inches during exceptionally wet years. The wet season runs from November to May.

Digital Maps & GPX Files

Download Digital Mapping Files

If you need help working with digital mapping and GPX files, please check out our FAQ section.

Technical Ratings & Terrain

Avg Technical Rating: 1

Peak Technical Rating: 2

Typical Terrain: The terrain is about 50% pavement and 50% dirt. The dirt sections are primarily well graded dirt and gravel roads that we'd qualify as softroading.

Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans

Recommended Vehicle: Stock 4x4

Recommended Moto: Big bike.

Adventure Vans: Sprinter 4x4s are good to go!

Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear

Fuel: Fuel is plentiful throughout the route, typically never more than 30-40 miles away. Provisions: Provisions can be obtained in the same general vicinity as fuel. Gear: no specialized gear is recommended for this adventure.

Alternative Routes

Tofino Track

Distance: 96 miles (one way)

Technical Rating: 1-2 The Tofino Track will take adventurers to some of Vancouver Island's most remote and beautiful coastline. While the majority of the track is pavement, there is an opportunity to get off and explore the around Ucluelet and Mussel Beach area.


Tree to Sea Drive

Distance: 39 miles (one way)

Technical Rating: 1-2

This scenic drive along dirt and gravel roads takes adventurers to remote intlets and bays, eventually leading to the outpost of Tahsis. Folks looking to really get off the beaten path should consider this track.


Fair Harbour Track

Distance: 120 miles

Technical Rating: 1-2 The Tofino Track will

Follow the dirt roads along the Zeballos River which eventually leads to the outpost of Zeballos. Continue along to reach the uber remote outpost of Fair Habour


Grant Bay Track

Distance: 22 miles (one way)

Technical Rating: 2 This track leads to the incredibly idylic Grant Bay, but like San Jose Bay and Beach, you'll need to make a short hike from the parking lot in order to reach the beach. You may also wish to visit the remote seaside outpost of Winter Harbour that's a couple miles off the track.


Rock Bay Track

Distance: 44 miles

Technical Rating: 1-2

As you head further south, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to explore the remote eastern coastline of Vancouver Island. The Rock Bay Track is the most southern dirt track that can be explored on the Vancouver Island's eastern coastline. The track featureres a number of large lakes and various recreation sites, including three right on the coast.

Camping Recommendations

With its dense forests and limited public lands, dispersed camping is a bit more challenging than you might imagine, especially compared to mainland BC. However, there are still hundreds of great campsites along the loop, including many remote recreation sites. The northern half of the Vancouver Island tends to have many beaituful and remote sites and campgrounds. Some of our favorite places to camp include:

  • Blackies Beach recreation site (Nahmint Lake)

  • Ralph River campground

  • Cougar Creek recreation site (Tree to Sea drive)

  • Conuma River recreation site (Tree to Sea drive)

  • Vernon Lake recreation site

  • Woss Lake recreation site

  • Atluck Lake recreation site

  • Kathleen Lake recreation site

  • Pinch Creek recreation site (Alice Lake)

  • Spruce Bay recreation site (Victoria Lake)

  • Side Bay recreation site

  • Gooding Cove recreation site (near Side Bay)

  • Holberg Inlet

  • Spencer Cove recreation site (near Quatsino Prov. Park)

  • Georgie Lake

  • Naka Creek Recreation Site (north of Eve River)

  • Ida Lake recreation site

  • Anutz Lake recreation site

  • Schoen Lake Provincial Campground

  • Tlowils Lake recreation site

  • McCreight Lake recreation site

  • Pye Lake recreation sites

  • Stella Bay recreation site

  • Little Bear Bay Recreation Site

  • Elk Bay recreation site

  • McMullen Point recreation site

  • Brewster Lake recreation site

  • Campbell Lake recreation sites

  • Big Bay creation site

Most recreation sites require a fee for camping.

Discovery Points

  • DP1 - Beacon Hill

  • DP2 - Holland Point Park

  • DP3 - The Breakwater Lighthouse

  • DP4 - Victoria Harbour

  • DP5 - Victoria

  • DP6 - Songhees Point Park

  • DP7 - Fisgard Lighthouse

  • DP8 - Sitting Lady Falls

  • DP9 - Sooke River

  • DP10 - Sooke Region Museum

  • DP11 - West Coast Road

  • DP12 - Seringham Point Lighthouse

  • DP13 - Sandcut Beach & Falls

  • DP14 - Jordan River

  • DP15 - San Juan River

  • DP16 - Red Creek Fir

  • DP17 - Fairy Lake Tree

  • DP18 - Gordon River

  • DP19 - Avatar Grove & Gnarliest Tree

  • DP20 - Cowichan Lake

  • DP21 - Town of Lake Cowichan

  • DP22 - Nitinat River

  • DP23 - Pachena Beach

  • DP24 - Bamfield, BC

  • DP25 - Sarita River

  • DP26 - Sarita Falls

  • DP27 - Alberni Inlet

  • DP28 - Port Alberni

  • DP29 - Habour Quay Park

  • DP30 - Somass River

  • DP31 - Cathedral Grove

  • DP32 - Cameron Lake

  • DP33 - Little Qualicum Falls

  • DP34 - Trent River Falls

  • DP35 - Puntledge River

  • DP36 - Stotan Falls

  • DP37 - Oyster River

  • DP38 - Upper Campbell Lake

  • DP39 - Elk River

  • DP40 - Gold River, BC

  • DP41 - Gold River

  • DP42 - Muchalat Lake

  • DP43 - Vernon Lake

  • DP44 - Nimpkish River

  • DP45 - Woss River

  • DP46 - Atluck Lake

  • DP47 - Tahsish River

  • DP48 - Devil's Bath

  • DP49 - Benson River

  • DP50 - Eternal Fountain

  • DP51 - Victoria Lake

  • DP52 - Port Alice, BC

  • DP53 - Neroutsos Inlet

  • DP54 - Coal Habour, BC

  • DP55 - Holberg Inlet

  • DP56 - Scarlet Ibis Pub

  • DP57 - Goodspeed River

  • DP58 - San Josef Beach

  • DP59 - Shoe Tree

  • DP60 - Port Hardy, BC

  • DP61 - Quatse River

  • DP62 - Queen Charlotte Strait

  • DP63 - Cluxewe River

  • DP64 - Port McNeill, BC

  • DP65 - Kokish River

  • DP66 - Telegraph Cove, BC

  • DP67 - Bonanza Lake

  • DP68 - Eve River

  • DP69 - Adam River

  • DP70 - White River

  • DP71 - Salmon River

  • DP72 - Memekay River

  • DP73 - Brewster Lake

  • DP74 - Campbell River

  • DP75 - Elk Falls

  • DP76 - Campbell River, BC

  • DP77 - Maritime Heritage Centre

  • DP78 - Comox

  • DP79 - Courtenay River

  • DP80 - Parksville

  • DP81 - Pipers Lagoon Park

  • DP82 - Salish Sea

  • DP83 - Nanaimo

  • DP84 - Chemainus River

  • DP85 - Old Stone Butter Church

  • DP86 - Cowichan Bay Lookout

  • DP87 - Mt Doug Viewpoint

  • DP88 - Beach Drive

  • DP89 - Cattle Point

  • DP90 - Clover Point

Permits & Papers

Passports & Auto Insurance If you're traveling from outside of Canada, you'll need your passport in order. Most US auto insurance policies extend their coverage into Canada, but be sure to check! Getting to Vancouver Island You'll need to purchase tickets from BC Ferries to transport your vehicle to and from Vancouver Island. There are two different ports from Vancouver that have ferries to Vancouver Island.


Adventure Badge  

OTG has partnered with All Roads Taken to offer an adventure badge for this route.


Route Details

The 1,000+ mile Vancouver Island Grand Loop is a soft-roading adventure through some of the island’s most scenic and remote locations—places that few tourists or locals ever visit. With over 2,000 miles of coastline and tens of millions of forested mountain acres, Vancouver Island is a paradise for outdoor recreation. Although the island lacks the same level of public access to dirt roads and trails as mainland BC, BC Parks has developed numerous recreation sites (semi-developed campgrounds often with a picnic bench and fire ring) across the island, including those in lesser-visited areas.

Most travelers arrive in Victoria via ferry (see Permits and Papers above for BC Ferries info). Founded in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company trading post, Victoria is rich in pioneer and gold rush history. Before heading north along the scenic coastlines, take some time to walk Victoria’s historic downtown and explore its coastal parks. Leaving Victoria, the track joins the scenic West Coast Drive, which hugs the island’s western coastline.

Upon reaching the bay of Port San Juan, the track heads inland on a dirt road leading to the scenic Cowichan Lake, then follows a mix of dirt and paved roads through First Nations’ lands and along the beautiful Alberni Inlet coastline. For those seeking rugged Vancouver Island scenery, the 96-mile Tofino Track (see alternative routes) is a worthwhile detour.

As central Vancouver Island is largely inaccessible by vehicle, the track moves to the east coast before returning west into the mountains. Passing numerous lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and remote outposts like Gold River, the track offers additional alternative routes (Tree to Sea Drive, Fair Harbour Track, Side Bay Track, Grant Bay Track) for those wanting to explore some of BC’s most spectacular, secluded coastlines.

The island’s northern end, where annual rainfall can exceed 200 inches, offers fewer people and more dirt and gravel roads through emerald forests. The track reaches its northwestern apex at San Josef Bay—though a short hike is required, the rugged northern coastline is worth the effort.

As you travel south along the eastern coastline, the track weaves between interior routes and coastal paths. Quaint villages like Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Campbell River dot the coastline. Around Campbell Lake, you’ll find some of the island’s best camping. Upon reaching Campbell River, expect a quicker pace as the route shifts primarily to paved roads. Take advantage of discovery points along the way, especially in historic towns like Parksville and Nanaimo.

The track winds around Cowichan Bay and back to greater Victoria. If time allows, we highly recommend hiking at Thetis Lake Regional Park. The track wraps around Victoria’s eastern coast, offering opportunities to explore local parks, lighthouses, and viewpoints like Mt. Doug, with one of the best views of Victoria and the San Juan Islands. The loop completes at the famous Beacon Hill viewpoint.

Terms of Use: Should you decide to travel a route that is published on Overlandtrailguides.com, you do so at your own risk. Always take the appropriate precautions when planning and traveling, including checking the current local weather, permit requirements, trail/road conditions, and land/road closures. While traveling, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, and carry the appropriate safety, recovery, and navigational equipment. The information found on this site is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by OverlandTrailGuides.com, the route accuracy and current conditions of roads and trails cannot be guaranteed.

Comments

bottom of page