Most visitors come to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve for the surf and the big trees, but the short trails give it extra texture. The Shorepine Bog Trail is an 800-metre loop on a 1.2-metre-wide boardwalk with almost no slope or stairs, so it is one of the easiest walks in the park. The boardwalk floats on the bog and can be uneven underfoot, and it passes through an open, strange landscape of twisted, stunted shore pines, mosses and bog plants, very different from the towering forest nearby. Radar Hill Trail is a 500-metre paved path to ramped observation decks. It is very steep, but it rewards the effort with a wide outlook over the coast and the sound. Together they make an easy, varied half hour or more along the Pacific Rim Highway.
What makes the bog special
The trees look old but are small, because the acidic, waterlogged soil starves them of nutrients. A shore pine that looks like a bonsai may be many decades old, and the ground around it is a living sponge of sphagnum moss, Labrador tea and other plants that thrive in poor, wet conditions.
It is a good place to explain to children why different places grow different forests, and it is a quiet walk when the beaches are crowded. Because the boardwalk floats, take it slowly, and stay on the boards to protect the fragile plants.
What you see from Radar Hill
The paved path climbs steeply, and the ramped decks at the top give a wide view that helps put the coast in context, with the open ocean on one side and the forested country of Clayoquot Sound on the other. Pick a clear day for the outlook, because cloud and mist can hide it, though a misty summit has its own mood. The path is paved and ramped, so it is more accessible than many park trails, but the gradient is steep, and walkers with limited mobility may find it demanding.
Fitting it in
Both walks are short enough to add to a day on Long Beach, the Rainforest Trail or the road between Tofino and Ucluelet. Combine them for a morning of contrasts, from bog to forest to beach. Wear waterproof shoes, carry a layer for the wind on the hill and check Parks Canada's trail conditions page for closures before you drive out.
A park pass applies in the Long Beach Unit, so buy the one you need first. In spring and summer the bog is greener and more fragrant, while in winter it is wetter and quieter, and the boardwalk can be slippery after rain.
Both walks reward a slow pace and a little curiosity. On the bog, look closely at the ground for tiny carnivorous sundew plants, bright mosses and the dark, tea-coloured pools that give the bog its character, and pause often, because the landscape is full of small details that disappear if you hurry.
On Radar Hill, take a moment at the top to look in every direction, then rest before heading back down the steep path. Bring a camera, a warm layer for the breeze and a bottle of water, since there are no shops at either stop.
What to expect
The experience
Two short self-guided walks: a floating boardwalk loop through a shore pine bog, and a steep paved path to lookout decks.
Best time
A clear day for the Radar Hill outlook; the bog works in any weather and is quiet when the beaches are busy.
How long
About 20 to 30 minutes for the bog loop and 15 to 20 minutes for Radar Hill, plus time at the top.
Tips
Stay on the boardwalk, expect an uneven surface on the bog and a very steep gradient on Radar Hill, and check Parks Canada for closures.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and anyone who wants an easy, different walk between bigger outings.
- Families
- The bog boardwalk is almost flat and has no stairs, so it is a gentle choice for small children.
- Couples
- A quiet, unusual landscape for a short stroll, with an outlook to finish.
- Pair with
- Add the Rainforest Trail and Long Beach for a full morning in the park.
- Time needed
- Half an hour to an hour for both.
Good questions
How long is the Shorepine Bog Trail?+
It is an 800-metre loop on a 1.2-metre boardwalk with almost no slope or stairs. The boardwalk floats on the bog and can be uneven, so walk with care.
Why are the trees so small?+
The bog soil is waterlogged and poor in nutrients, so shore pines grow slowly and stay stunted even when they are very old.
What is Radar Hill?+
It is a 500-metre paved trail to ramped observation decks with wide views over the coast. The path is very steep, so allow time and take it slowly.
Are the trails wheelchair accessible?+
The bog boardwalk has almost no slope or stairs, but its floating surface can be uneven. Radar Hill is paved and ramped but very steep. Check Parks Canada for current details if accessibility matters.
Do I need a park pass?+
Park fees apply in the Long Beach Unit, so buy the pass you need before you park and check the park's site for current options.
