Introduced in 2025, the Beachcomber Challenge invites Island Mountain Ramblers members to explore the remote and rugged coastline of Vancouver Island. These adventures vary in difficulty. Some are short, easy walks, while others require significant effort to access, with some spanning multiple days to complete. Completing the challenge means you’ve traversed and experienced many of the island’s far-flung, breathtaking beaches, embodying the spirit of exploration and adventure.
How to qualify:
You can complete these trips as a club trip or on your own.
How to claim:
Keep track of you trip dates, the name of one person you did the trip with, and snap a photo from each. Email these to the club president.
Beachcomber Hikes
- Coastline Trail – Ruckle Park, Saltspring Island – Complete a loop from the Ruckle Park Campground via the Coastal Trail to Cusheon Cove, and back by any trail. ~ 14 km round trip
- Botanical Beach Loop Trail – Juan de Fuca Trail Park – 2.4 k- best at tides below 1.2 m
- East Sombrio Beach, including the “Hidden Waterfall,” – Juan de Fuca Park. The waterfall is located about a 15-minute walk from the start of East Sombrio Beach. It’s probably the first creek you’ll see flowing into the ocean.
- Denman Island to Sandy Island Hike – about 8 k round trip
- Alberni Inlet I – 14 k
- Keeha Bay – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve 8 km return
- Cape Beale – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve 11 km return
- Wild Pacific Trail – Ucluelet – 8 km – Lighthouse Loop and Big Beach to Rocky Bluffs
- Wild SideTrail – Flores Island (multiple parks); Ahousaht to the north end of Cow Bay; 25-30 k round-trip
- Hesquiat Peninsula Park– From Escalante Point to Boat Harbour
- Tatchu Peninsula – Rugged Point to the small bay before Yellow Bluff – 20 k one-way
- Mᑫuqʷin/Brooks Peninsula Park, as far as Nordstrom Creek
- North Coast Trail – Cape Scott Park – 60 km between Cape Scott trailhead and Shushartie Bay
- San Josef Bay West – Cape Scott Park -3 k round-trip
- Lowrie Bay – Cape Scott Park, accessible via Mt. St. Patrick; 20 k round-trip
- Raft Cove, Raft Cove Park via the Ronning Main south of Holberg; a hike of about 6 k round-trip
- Grant Bay – North Island, via the Winter Harbour Road; a hike of 1 k round-trip
- Tex Lyons Trail — Port Hardy from Beaver Harbour to Dillon Point, 11km return trip.
Coastline Trail — Ruckle Park
Saltspring Island – 14 k round trip
Botanical Beach Loop Trail — Juan de Fuca Marine Park
Port Renfrew area – 2.4 k- best at tides below 1.2 m
East Sombrio Beach, including the “Hidden Waterfall,” is located about a 15-minute walk from the start of East Sombrio Beach. It’s probably the first creek you’ll see flowing into the ocean.
Denman Island to Sandy Island Hike – about 8 k round trip
Alberni Inlet Stage 1 – 14 k
The Alberni Inlet Trail offers stunning views of the Alberni Inlet. Located in the traditional territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth people, it highlights the area’s history, including 19th-century mining, and remains a key recreational and transportation hub.
Keeha Bay and Cape Beale – 8k round trip
Cape Beale 11 k round trip
Wild Pacific Trail – Ucluelet – 8 km – Lighthouse Loop and Big Beach to Rocky Bluffs
Wild SideTrail – Flores Island; Ahousaht to Cow Bay and then as far as Cow Creek and beyond; 25-30 k round-trip
Hesquiat Peninsula – From Escalante Point to Boat Harbour
Tatchu Peninsula – Rugged Point to the small bay before Yellow Bluff – 20 k one-way
Brooks Peninsula as far as Nordstrom Creek
North Coast Trail – 60 k
San Josef Bay West – 3 k round-trip
Lowrie Bay – Cape Scott Provincial Park, accessible via Mt. St. Patrick; 20 k round-trip
Raft Cove – North Island, via the Ronning Main south of Holberg; a hike of about 6 k round-trip
Grant Bay – North Island, via the Winter Harbour Road; a hike of 1 k round-trip
Tex Lyon Tail 11.5 km, Port Hardy
Situated on the shores of Beaver Harbour, Tex Lyon Trail leads you to Dillon Point and provides the adventurous hiker with a panoramic view of Queen Charlotte Strait and the historic village of Fort Rupert.