Join us for another great season of hiking and trail building!
This summer, we’ll be leading you into some of the most spectacular old-growth forests on the planet. You’ll get the unique opportunity to work in partnership with local First Nations and community groups, participate in trips of varying lengths and difficulty levels, and learn about local ecosystems and the people working to preserve them.
Our trips are guided by trained, experienced wilderness leaders. The Wilderness Committee covers transportation costs associated with the trips. All trips involve carpooling with other volunteers. Volunteers are responsible to bring all their own food and gear. We can also arrange discounted gear rental options for those who don’t have all the required gear. We don’t want people to miss out due to lack of equipment. So please contact us and we can help overcome this barrier.
Please register only if you are sure you’re able to make the trip (you can get the time off work, don’t have conflicting events, etc). Cancellations cost us a lot of administration time and can result in us not having enough volunteers for the trip. But do register before it’s too late. Our trips fill up fast.
We hope to see you out on the trail this year!
Koksilah River Grove Day Hike, Cowichan Tribes Territory
*lowest difficulty*
This is a day trip, so it’s best suited for those living on Southern Vancouver Island. If you’re coming from further away, you may need to arrange your own accommodation the night before. This is our easiest trail trip, meant to provide an opportunity to get out into intact old-growth forest, for folks unable to attend longer overnight trips that involve camping and trail work. The trip involves carpooling to Koksilah (about one hour north of Victoria) and then taking a guided hike into the ancient Douglas-fir forest, with nature interpretation along the way and a break for a snack along the river. The estimated hiking time is 2.5 to 3 hours, with about a 2.5-hour return drive from Victoria.
Dates:
- May 31 (day trip)
- August 9 (day trip)
More information about our day trip to Koksilah.
Wildside Trail, Flores Island, unceded Ahousaht territory
*higher difficulty*
This is a three-night trip where we will be staying indoors at the Ahousaht village community hall (sleeping mats on the floor). The hall has bathrooms (no shower) and a full kitchen.
We will be dropped off by boat at Ahousaht village on Flores Island. We will then walk for about five minutes to the community hall with our gear, food and tools. We will maintain trails on the Wildside Trail and hike long distances (up to 11kms for two of the days) with day packs, water and light hand tools, trimming undergrowth to keep the trail clear.
(4 days, 3 nights)
Dates:
- June 13-16 (4 days, 3 nights)
More information about our day trip to Flores Island.
Big Tree Trail, Meares Island, unceded Tla-o-qui-aht territory
*medium difficulty*
This is a three-night trip where we will be car camping at the Bella Pacifica campground in Tofino and making day trips by boat to maintain the trails on the legendary Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. We will build boardwalks and hike moderate distances, lifting and carrying loads of wood. We will use light hand tools, trimming undergrowth to keep the trails clear.
Dates:
- August 22-25 (3 days, 2 nights)
More information about our multi-day trip to Meares Island.
All trips take place on the territories of the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht and Cowichan peoples, and the Wilderness Committee recognizes the sovereignty of these Indigenous Nations and expects all participants to carry themselves with respect and compassion.
For any questions about our 2025 trail trip season, please contact our Senior Organizer and Field Program Lead Em at em@wildernesscommittee.org.